Tingvoll Municipality Optimizes Wastewater Management with Grundfos' End-to-End Solution
In the picturesque Tingvoll Municipality in western Norway, where fjords meet the land, effective and efficient wastewater management is essential to maintaining a high quality of life for residents. The municipality’s wastewater department has long been dedicated to providing reliable services, while also ensuring optimal use of resources. With a 28 km wastewater network, 10 automatic pumping stations, and the responsibility of servicing around 3,500 residents, the municipality faced the pressing challenge of modernizing its aging infrastructure to meet rising expectations for service quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
When the municipality’s old pumps started to fail, and their supplier’s service didn’t meet expectations, Tingvoll turned to Grundfos, a leader in pump solutions, for a replacement. This decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Tingvoll's wastewater management system.
The Challenge: Modernizing the Wastewater Network
Tingvoll Municipality’s primary challenge was upgrading an old automatic pumping station, where the pumps had reached the end of their useful life. After unsatisfactory service from the previous pump supplier, the municipality sought a reliable and efficient alternative that could help them manage their wastewater operations with the highest possible level of service while optimizing staff and resource usage.
The municipality needed:
- Reliable Pumping Stations: New pumping equipment to replace the aging infrastructure.
- Intelligent Control: A smart control system that would ensure efficient operation based on real-time data.
- Better Monitoring: A robust solution for continuous monitoring of the entire network.
The Solution: Grundfos’ End-to-End Wastewater Management System
Grundfos stepped in to provide an integrated solution that would address all of these challenges. The first step was the supply of a prefabricated pumping station equipped with Grundfos SEV wastewater pumps, CUE frequency converters, CU 362 control panels, and Dedicated Controls for intelligent wastewater pump management. The SEV pumps were dry-installed on top of the pit, with suction pipes leading into the pit. These pumps were controlled using Grundfos Dedicated Controls, which provides real-time intelligent management of pump performance. The system adjusts automatically based on flow and volume calculations, ensuring that pump operations match the actual needs of the network.
Why Dedicated Controls Make a Difference
The Dedicated Controls system is a powerful feature that sets Grundfos apart from other suppliers. The system adjusts the pumps' operation in real time, optimizing performance based on the current operational conditions, which ultimately leads to energy savings, reduced wear and tear on pumps, and greater overall efficiency. By integrating real-time data with the pump control, Tingvoll Municipality gained the ability to fine-tune operations and avoid unnecessary service trips, reducing both labor costs and downtime.
Expansion of the Solution Across All Stations
Based on the excellent performance of the upgraded pumping station, Tingvoll Municipality decided to implement Dedicated Controls at all its automatic pumping stations. Grundfos worked with a local switchboard manufacturer to build the necessary equipment backplates for the existing cabinets, which were then upgraded with the new control technology. Grundfos oversaw the commissioning and installation testing, ensuring that the system was integrated seamlessly.
The Addition of GRM Solution Management
To complete the end-to-end wastewater management solution, GRM Solution Management was added to the system. GRM Solution Management allows the municipality’s wastewater department to monitor and manage pumps securely and in real time via an internet connection. Unlike traditional SCADA systems, GRM is highly user-friendly, offering intuitive access to key information such as status updates, alarms, and even live pump data—accessible via both computer and mobile device.
This solution gives Tingvoll Municipality the ability to track and manage the performance of all its pumping stations remotely, without needing to send out service personnel for routine checks unless necessary. This ability to perform remote diagnostics and control significantly saves time and resources, allowing staff to focus on other tasks that require more attention.
Reliable Service with a Comprehensive Maintenance Plan
Grundfos’ service agreement has been another key aspect of the success of this project. With this agreement in place, Tingvoll Municipality receives specialized maintenance and service from Grundfos’ experts, ensuring that the SEV pumps and related systems remain in top condition for the long term. This professional service not only ensures continuous, reliable pump operation but also frees up valuable municipal resources that can be better allocated to other operational needs.
The Impact: Efficient Wastewater Management, Improved Service
Today, the wastewater department of Tingvoll Municipality is benefiting from the comprehensive end-to-end solution provided by Grundfos. Ten pumping stations have been equipped with the Dedicated Controls and GRM Solution Management, and more are being upgraded. The SEV pumps in the new stations are running smoothly and efficiently, and as older pumps near the end of their life, they will be replaced with Grundfos solutions.
The key benefits of this integrated approach include:
- Real-Time Monitoring: The ability to monitor all pumping stations remotely, reducing the need for unnecessary site visits.
- Resource Optimization: The intelligent pump controls and real-time data help the municipality optimize resource usage, both in terms of energy and labor.
- Simplicity in Service: Dealing with only one supplier for pumps, controls, installation, and service has simplified operations, saved time, and improved overall efficiency.
- Cost Savings: By reducing the need for manual checks and optimizing pump performance, Tingvoll Municipality has been able to lower operational costs.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Egil Betten, a technician at Tingvoll Municipality, is particularly satisfied with the collaboration with Grundfos. “With the new system, we can see what’s happening at all pumping stations in real time, and that means we can plan our inspection and maintenance work much better,” he says. He adds that having one point of contact for everything—from the supply of pumps to ongoing maintenance—has been a major advantage.
“We don’t need to coordinate with several suppliers. Grundfos does it all. That’s a load off my chest,” Betten concludes. The cooperation with Grundfos has truly helped the municipality meet its operational objectives and deliver quality wastewater services to its citizens with greater efficiency.
Conclusion: Grundfos Drives Innovation in Wastewater Management
Through its end-to-end wastewater management solution, Grundfos has helped Tingvoll Municipality achieve an optimized, cost-efficient, and reliable wastewater network. By integrating advanced pumping technology, intelligent controls, real-time monitoring, and expert maintenance, Grundfos has not only met the municipality’s operational needs but has also ensured that the citizens of Tingvoll can continue to rely on a safe, well-maintained wastewater system.
This collaboration is a perfect example of how smart technology, combined with dedicated service and support, can revolutionize wastewater management and deliver outstanding benefits to both municipalities and their residents.
Interested in optimizing your own wastewater systems? Grundfos is here to help with innovative solutions that can meet your specific needs—reach out today to learn more!
