Water monitoring system marks telemetry first in Ireland

Dublin -- One of Ireland’s first ever wide-area telemetry systems is being unveiled this month; the result of a 12-month project by Dutch engineering consultancy Grontmij for Wexford County Council.

Grontmij’s system is designed allow accurate monitoring of Wexford’s water supply, and to provide improved management and reliability across a network covering over 900 square miles in the south east of Ireland.

According to Grontmij, the telemetry system will provide accurate information remotely through a web-based programme and will include features such as pre-warning alarms, meaning potential problems can be detected early.

“The system is designed to detect and prevent potential problems long before they become an issue, but also ensure the day to day running is as simple as possible,” said George Madden, senior consultant at Grontmij.

“The previous system required regular time-consuming site visits to monitor equipment and perform general maintenance, whereas the new system will allow out of hours management from an off-site location. Wexford County Council can then allocate engineers as required,” he added.

With a population of 105,000, County Wexford has over 45 treatment works and seven pumping stations, as well as additional ancillary facilities.

“Wexford is similar to most rural Counties in Ireland in that it operates many geographically dispersed water treatment plants and pumping stations,” said Darragh Cullinan, senior engineer for Water Services Operations at Wexford County Council. “This new telemetry system will enable us to manage these through one central resource and reap the benefits this brings.”

Grontmij is one of Europe’s largest engineering consultancies, specialising in transportation, building and environment, water and systems. The company employs over 50 professionals based in its Dublin office.