The SonicSens ultrasonic level or flow sensor is ideal for remote monitoring open channels, combined sewer overflows, storm drains, storage tank levels, and flood warning systems. SonicSens 2 builds on the success of the original unit and has been significantly enhanced to improve its communication functionality and ease of use.

1. SonicSens
Case Studies
July 2013

2. Scottish Water, UK
HWM have supplied and installed over 350x SonicSens
for the Scottish Water Framework Directive.
Units have been deployed successfully throughout
Scotland.
Used extensively to monitor a wide variety of situations
including:
Siphon chambers
CSO
Overflow and storm tanks
Weirs
Reservoirs
Compensation channels
“The design team here are very happy with the performance of the instruments,
and the SonicSens system has been used many times as a part of our award-winning
Water Framework Directive contract”
Gerard O’Hara, Project Engineer for Scottish Water

3. Beijing Weather Bureau, China
SonicSens monitors water levels in drains to
measure the impact of rain on the city
Deployed upstream to monitor the effect of rainfall
and alert to the possibility of flooding downstream
1 minute logging and reporting data every 5
minutes so that flood warnings and preventative
action can be taken promptly in the event of rising
water levels.

4. Chengdu Sewage, China
Chengdu Sewage ordered a
trial of SonicSens in July
2011.
SonicSens positioned in a 10
meter pit with the LX logger
and battery pack positioned
at the top of the chamber
Following the success of the
trial, the company is now
rolling out deployment
across the network.

5. Guangzhou City, China
Guangzhou City originally piloted 4
SonicSens to monitor water levels at
strategic points along the river that crosses
the city.
Following their success, the company has
ordered 100+ units to accurately monitor
their waste water levels.

6. JiNan City, China
SonicSens was installed in Nov 2011
When the chamber flooded, the logger
continued sending data every 15 minutes
even after the sensor head was
completely submerged. When levels fell
below the dead band the sensor
automatically began transmitting again.
A competitor tried to use their level
measurement device in the chamber but
was unable to get a signal out of the
chamber. They drilled a hole into the
chamber and filled it with glue to see if
this would improve reception. The water
company was surprised that the
SonicSens antenna could get a signal
out of the chamber easily as they had
been told that this would be impossible.

7. Versatility of Installation
At one CSO monitoring point, there was
insufficient room to site the SonicSens in
the original chamber.
There was concern that the 300mm
blanking distance would not be cleared if
the water level were raised by a storm
condition.
In a creative workaround, the sensor unit
was installed on its side, along with a
reflector plate mounted at a 45 degree
angle, situated far enough away to account
for the dead-band.
Although an uncommon situation, it is a
simple and effective solution which
highlights the versatility of SonicSens
measurement technology.
Scottish Water Installation Photograph

8. For more information
www.hwm-water.com
sales@hwm-water.com
+44 (0)1633 489479