Urban Infrastructure Monitoring

Drainage Network Level Monitoring & Overflow Warning Solution

Q: How to configure the LGF-PA66 with an EC32 RTU for a DMA district metering point? Which communication protocols are supported?

The standard DMA district metering point is an LGF-PA66 magnetic flow meter plus an EC32 RTU plus minimum-night-flow analysis on the platform side. There are two wiring options: connect the LGF-PA66 RS485 port to the EC32 serial port over shielded twisted pair running Modbus RTU (default 9600bps, 8N1), or feed a 4-20mA analogue signal into an EC32 AI channel. For long cable runs prefer the digital link — better noise immunity, and it also exposes totaliser, empty-pipe alarms and other diagnostics. Configuration points: Addresses and registers : when several LGF-PA66 meters share one RS485 bus, assign each a distinct slave address, poll instantaneous and totalised flow registers, and verify the unit scaling factors. Acquisition strategy : set the EC32 to sample every minute and report every 15 minutes. The 2:00–4:00 minimum-night-flow window must never be skipped — it is the core input for leakage analysis. Connectivity : the EC32 supports 4G Cat.1 and NB-IoT. In underground valve chambers with weak signal, order the external-antenna version and route the antenna to the chamber mouth. On the platform, alarm thresholds are set against the baseline of minimum night flow, combined with district pressure data to locate leaking pipe sections. Meter sizes follow the district main — commonly DN80 to DN300 — with flange standards matched to the existing network. For more information, please visit our product pages or contact our technical team.

Q: Sewer Monitoring: Radar Level Meter vs Ultrasonic

Underground sewer environments share two traits: near-saturated humidity plus corrosive gas and foam — exactly the weaknesses of ultrasonic level sensors. Sound attenuates heavily in saturated vapor, and temperature gradients cause sound-speed drift, so ultrasonic meters often show jumpy or missing readings in sewage wells. The visual fusion radar water level gauge takes a different physical path: 76-81GHz electromagnetic waves are immune to vapor and thermal stratification. Its IP67 enclosure uses corrosion-, acid- and impact-resistant materials, and the unit mounts at the manhole opening — no confined-space entry needed , which reshapes O&M cost structures as safety regulations tighten. ±1mm accuracy, a 10cm blind zone and a 0.1m-65m range cover everything from dry-season low water to full-bore flood conditions. The decisive difference is evidence capability. Ultrasonic gives a data curve only; the visual fusion radar gauge integrates a 5-megapixel camera with scheduled or real-time photo capture. When a level reading looks abnormal, one site photo tells you whether it is floating debris, a dirty sensor or genuine flooding — solving the industry pain of "data without the field". An RS485 port can also carry water-quality sensor data, backhauled via EC32/EC60 RTUs over 4G or NB-IoT. Bottom line: for municipal stormwater/sewer networks and outfall monitoring, choose the visual fusion radar level meter; keep ultrasonic sensors for open, dry, non-corrosive clean-water tanks. For more details, visit our product pages or contact our technical team.

Q: Can the LGF-PA66 electromagnetic flowmeter measure bidirectional flow accurately in sewers with frequent backflow?

When tidal backwater or a rising downstream level pushes flow backwards in a storm or sanitary sewer, the metering point must measure in both directions. The LGF-PA66 works on Faraday's law of induction: the polarity of the induced voltage follows the flow direction, so the velocity signal carries a natural sign — it measures forward and reverse flow without any mechanical direction-sensing device. The converter keeps separate forward and reverse totals and also outputs net flow (forward minus reverse). Reports can show the reverse volume separately, which quantifies external water intrusion and backflow frequency. With the EC32 RTU the forward total, reverse total, net flow and instantaneous direction all enter the data stream, so the platform can analyse backflow patterns by pumping-station operating period and support interception decisions. Installation points: Choose a pressurised, always-full section such as a pump discharge line. Electromagnetic meters cannot measure partially filled gravity pipes — for those use a Doppler radar flowmeter or an ultrasonic open-channel solution instead. For bidirectional flow keep straight runs of at least 5D on both sides so the flow profile is stable in each direction. Sewage deposits sludge easily: place the meter close to the pump station so pump scouring keeps the tube clean, and inspect the electrodes periodically. Bidirectional operation does not change the accuracy specification — the LGF-PA66 holds ±0.5%（DN50-100） of reading in both directions and runs reliably for years with empty-pipe detection enabled. For more information, please visit our product page or contact our technical team.

Q: Can LGF-PA66 and EC32 RTU provide solar-powered remote metering where irrigation pipelines have no mains electricity?

Most irrigation pipe metering points sit out in the fields with no mains power and no wired network. The LGF-PA66 draws very little power, and together with the low-power mode of the Hero V9 EC32 RTU and a solar supply it becomes a fully off-grid remote metering terminal that reports over 4G or NB-IoT. System layout: the solar panel charges the battery through the EC32 RTU's built-in charge controller, and the RTU samples the LGF-PA66's 4-20 mA or RS485 (Modbus RTU) signals at a set interval, uploading instantaneous and totalized flow. Size the panel and battery from local solar irradiance and the longest expected run of overcast days; for off-grid sites choose a low-power RTU such as the EC32. Keep the controller and battery in a weatherproof enclosure and use low-temperature batteries in northern winters. Installation notes: Check 4G coverage at the site first; in weak-signal areas switch to NB-IoT or fit an external antenna. The LGF-PA66 sensor and converter are both IP68-rated, so the meter can live in a field valve pit — just seal the cable gland properly. Accuracy matches mains-powered sites: ±0.5%（DN50-100） of reading, with the platform comparing daily totals and alarming on missing reports. The same arrangement suits volumetric water charging, water-rights trading and irrigation fee billing — no site visits for meter reading. For more information, please visit our product page or contact our technical team.

Q: Can an IP68 electromagnetic flow meter stay submerged long-term? What matters for installation in flooded valve chambers?

IP68 does not mean “splash-proof” — it means “no water ingress under continuous immersion.” Both the sensor and transmitter of the LGF-PA66 are designed to IP68 and can operate submerged for long periods in valve and metering chambers, which is exactly the typical duty for municipal network metering points. Three things decide success in submerged service: Whole-unit sealing: the LGF-PA66 body is one-piece injection molded with no welds, and the terminal chamber is sealed. Standard duty covers immersion up to 1 m; for deeper or permanent deep-water installation, state it at order time and the meter ships with deep-water sealing. Cable joints are the weak link: sensor-to-transmitter signal cables and transmitter-to-RTU communication cables must be jointed in waterproof boxes or resin-potted. Field experience shows ~90% of immersion failures happen at joints, not in the meter itself. Chamber drainage and ventilation: provide a gravel drainage layer at the chamber bottom so silt does not bury the meter; where possible add a level switch to alarm on excessive flooding. The EC32 RTU is also IP68-rated and can be installed in the same chamber, sending data over 4G/NB-IoT with no mains cabling — solar plus battery is sufficient. Inspecting joint seals before the rainy season is the cheapest insurance you can buy. For more details, please visit our product pages or contact our technical team.

A comprehensive solution for urban drainage networks, stormwater systems, sewer systems, and combined sewers, providing real-time level monitoring, overflow warning, flood risk identification, and emergency dispatch. Effectively prevents urban flooding and water pollution.

Overview

Summary

Key Advantages

Multiple level meter types: submersible, ultrasonic, radar water level meters for flexible selection

Full coverage of key network nodes: main pipes, branches, manholes, overflow outlets, pump stations

RTU real-time collection: second-level sampling frequency, real-time data upload

Intelligent warning model: multi-level warning based on level trends and rainfall forecasts

Automatic overflow event identification: precise detection combining flow and level data

Visual network map: GIS map overlaid with level data at a glance

Mobile monitoring: smartphone app for real-time network status anytime

Historical data analysis: network operation trend analysis and overflow risk prediction

Challenges

Urban drainage networks are vast, making it difficult to monitor level data in real time
During heavy rainfall, full-pipe overflows cause urban flooding and road subsidence
Combined sewer overflow (CSO) events cause rapid deterioration of river water quality
Pipe siltation and blockage issues are hard to detect in time, reducing drainage capacity
Lack of historical level data analysis makes overflow risk prediction impossible
Emergency dispatch lacks real-time data support, resulting in low response efficiency

Results

24/7 real-time network level monitoring, overflow detection time reduced from hours to minutes
Waterlogging warning accuracy improved to 90%+, reducing urban flooding losses by 30-50%
Combined sewer overflow (CSO) events reduced by 40%+, improving receiving water quality
Network operating efficiency improved, drainage capacity increased by 15-25%
Data-driven scientific dispatch reduces manual inspection costs by 50%+
Network operation database established, providing data support for pipe renovation and planning

Solution Details

Drainage Network Level Monitoring & Overflow Warning Solution for Urban Management

As urbanization accelerates, drainage network systems face increasingly severe challenges: aging pipes, insufficient capacity, rain-sewage cross-connections leading to frequent overflows, waterlogging, and water pollution. Ecolor Technology, with years of water monitoring experience, provides a full-chain drainage network level monitoring and overflow warning solution from real-time network level data collection, transmission, intelligent warning to emergency dispatch.

By deploying submersible level meters and ultrasonic level meters at key network nodes, combined with RTU terminals for data collection and remote transmission, and cloud-based intelligent analysis platform, we help city managers monitor network conditions in real time, identify overflow risks promptly, and effectively prevent urban flooding.

Core Features of the Drainage Level Monitoring Solution

Multiple level meter types: submersible, ultrasonic, radar water level meters for flexible selection
Full coverage of key network nodes: main pipes, branches, manholes, overflow outlets, pump stations
RTU real-time collection: second-level sampling frequency, real-time data upload
Intelligent warning model: multi-level warning based on level trends and rainfall forecasts
Automatic overflow event identification: precise detection combining flow and level data
Visual network map: GIS map overlaid with level data at a glance
Mobile monitoring: smartphone app for real-time network status anytime
Historical data analysis: network operation trend analysis and overflow risk prediction

Key Technical Parameters for Monitoring

Level Meter Types

Submersible, Ultrasonic, Radar

Data Sampling

Second-level Frequency

Warning Levels

Multi-tiered Model

Application Scenarios for Overflow Warning

This comprehensive drainage network monitoring solution is designed for critical urban infrastructure points. It is essential for real-time surveillance of main drainage pipes and branch lines to prevent blockages and capacity overload. The system provides crucial data at manholes and overflow outlets for early warning of potential flooding events. Furthermore, integration at pump stations enables optimized operation and emergency response coordination based on actual network level conditions and predictive analytics.

Approach

How we implement intelligence into your infrastructure step by step.

Step 1: Network Survey & Node Planning

Conduct comprehensive drainage network survey to identify key monitoring points (low-lying areas, overflow-prone points, critical sections, outlets) and develop scientific monitoring plans