Super Quality Measuring Sites

The project is developing a concept for online measurement of drinking water quality. Our vision is to be faster than the bacteria!

About the project

Our vision is to be faster than the bacteria! Our mission is that in the near future being able to measure drinking water quality online; from various aspects. We strive to eventually be able to replace the time consuming analysis methods of today that now causes us to wait up to a week before we can determine the drinking water quality.

We are therefore running a project called Super Quality Measuring Sites in which we develop a concept for online measurement of drinking water quality. The work is carried out by VA SYD and Sydvatten in close collaboration with NSVA and with economical support from The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management through the County Administrative Board of Skåne.

So far, we have tested a number of different techniques that are now being evaluated. There are some exciting new technologies on the market but we need to investigate what works for us and how we should make use of the new techniques. The two instruments that have been tested during 2020 is a particle counter from Uponor and a portable flow cytometer from Bactosense. But the concept of online drinking water measurement is more than just the techniques to be used. We also work on the hydraulic aspect; where in the distribution system should the measuring sites be installed to be as efficient as possible?

Our long-term goal is to be able to quickly get information about quality changes in drinking water, so that we can take immediate action and prevent extensive disruptions to our customers. The work will continue in 2021 with the installation of new measuring sites, more technology tests and focus on how to handle all the data that is generated by the Super Quality Measuring Sites.