DTHub: BLU-X™ Wastewater Network Optimization

Samuela Guida April 21, 2021 Digitalisation

DTHub: BLU-X™ Wastewater Network Optimization

DTHub Theme: Operational digital solutions

The challenge

Prior to 2008, almost every time there was heavy rain, the city of South Bend, Indiana, USA faced sewer overflows into the Saint Joseph River. This was because the city`s ageing sewer system could not handle the excess discharge, which averaged some 1–2 billion gallons annually.

In 2011, the city — under the leadership of Public Works Director Eric Horvath — entered into a consent decree, agreeing to a long-term control plan (LTCP) of their sewer overflow, estimated to cost more than $860 million. For South Bend, with a population of just over 100,000, this equated to a burden of nearly $10,000 per citizen, which is economically unfeasible given that the average annual household income is around $32,000.

Pilot summary

The city installed Xylem’s Wastewater Network Optimization solution to seek to avoid flooding. This solution is a distributed real-time decision support system, consisting of smart sensors and actuators that trade available conveyance capacity in real-time, like an underground stock market. All sensor data is presented on one unified platform integrated into existing IT networks.

The BLU-X RT-DSS serves overflow information via SCADA screens to operators, via smartphones and tablets to field staff, and through web portals jointly developed with the city’s engineering staff. A key benefit is that operators have the ability to override the system at any time and take control.

Year started: 2012

Deployment scale: 152 networked sensors and software agents optimally operating 13 gates and valves city-wide have eliminated dry weather overflows and reduced combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Saint Joseph River by more than 70 percent.

Year started: 2012

Deployment scale: 165 networked sensors and software agents optimally operating 13 gates and valves city-wide have eliminated dry weather overflows and reduced combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Saint Joseph River by more than 70 percent.

Outcomes

Since implementing its Smart Sewer program, South Bend has enjoyed approximately $1.5 million in annual operating and maintenance cost savings. By optimizing the system, the city has saved approximately $500 million in capital work savings.
Dry weather overflows have been eliminated and combined sewer overflow volumes reduced by more than 70 percent, or roughly one billion gallons per year.
E.coli concentrations in the Saint Joseph River have dropped by more than 50 percent on average, improving the water quality.

End users contacts

Kieran Fahey, Director Long-Term Control Plan, Department of Public Works, City of South Bend – kfahey@southbendin.gov

Additional contact: Nicole Pasch, Client Solution Manager, Xylem, M: +1.616.262.5522 – nicole.pasch@xyleminc.com