Pipelife's Smart Technology Streamlines Wastewater Management in Kuklen, Bulgaria

Amid growing urbanization and escalating climate challenges, municipalities are seeking advanced solutions for monitoring and managing their wastewater networks. Smart wastewater management is increasingly used for protecting public health, enabling the timely detection and resolution of overflows, leaks and blockages. The town of Kuklen, Bulgaria, recently tested Pipelife's smart pumping solutions as part of its network upgrade, and the innovative approach has proven invaluable in optimizing wastewater operations while ensuring the network's long-term efficiency.

_{How Pumping Stations Facilitate Sewage Management}

In early 2022, Pipelife supplied and installed a modular pumping station in Kuklen, a town in southern Bulgaria, located near Plovdiv. Kuklen Municipality was seeking a way to optimize the sewage system in one of its more remote areas, directing the greywater flow to the nearest manhole located roughly 50 meters away.

Pumping stations are widely used to address various stormwater and wastewater management challenges, from preventing overflows and flooding to directing water to storage, infiltration or treatment systems. The modular sewage pumping station supplied by Pipelife Bulgaria offered Kuklen a more cost-effective solution than constructing an additional treatment facility or deepening the existing wastewater pipeline.

_{The Advantages of Smart Pumping Solutions for Municipalities}

After the municipality's positive experience with Pipelife's service, Kuklen decided to upgrade to the smart pumping solution in the summer of 2023, and both parties agreed on a trial period of one year.

Pipelife's smart pumping solution offers remote monitoring and control of pumping stations, which are often difficult to access. With real-time web-based monitoring and an automatic alert system, facility managers benefit from constant oversight, receiving immediate notifications when issues arise. 

The control unit was installed by Pipelife Bulgaria's longstanding partner EMIR-KT, which specializes in the setup and repair of electrical equipment for pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants.  

The pumping station was configured with a one-plus-one system, meaning it has a primary and a backup pump connected in parallel. Equipping the station with a remote control unit has allowed for monitoring water levels with an accuracy of +/- 3% and transmitting the data to Pipelife SmartHub — a cloud-based asset management and control solution for water utilities and municipalities.

The pumps are activated automatically when the measured water levels reach a preset height. Furthermore, SmartHub enables continuous system monitoring, providing real-time alerts and notifications to inform operators of any irregularities. 

_{Smart System Insights Lead to Long-Term Partnership}

After a year of testing Pipelife's smart pumping solution, Kuklen Municipality has decided to extend the contract, acknowledging the value of the service. 

"We accepted Pipelife's trial offer, hoping to optimize time and resource expenses. After a year of operation, we are convinced of the benefits — maintenance costs for pumping equipment have been reduced, and real-time data have allowed us to avoid unnecessary actions," sums up the municipality's representative.

Throughout the year, the system delivered crucial insights into real-time water levels, pump activations, and even helped detect unregulated connections to the sewage network. By continuing its partnership with Pipelife, Kuklen Municipality can confidently maintain efficient and effective management of its greywater network.