Flanged Ultrasonic Flow Meter Improves Liquid Measurement Accuracy at Municipal Water Treatment Plant
Case Study: Flanged Ultrasonic Flow Meter Improves Liquid Measurement Accuracy at Municipal Water Treatment Plant
Client: Riverbend Municipal Water Authority (RMWA)
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Application: Measurement of treated potable water flow from clearwell to distribution network
Technology Used: Flanged Ultrasonic Flow Meter
Date: March 2026
Background
Riverbend Municipal Water Authority supplies drinking water to over 180,000 residents. Accurate flow measurement at the clearwell outlet is critical for production planning, billing of bulk water customers, and regulatory reporting. RMWA previously used a mechanical turbine meter, which suffered from bearing wear, calibration drift, and unplanned downtime due to debris in the water stream.
Challenge
RMWA required a flow measurement solution that could:
Deliver long-term accuracy without moving parts
Withstand continuous operation at line pressures up to 150 psi
Resist fouling from sediment and biofouling
Provide reliable digital communication to the SCADA system
Simplify installation and alignment during retrofit projects
Solution
Following a competitive evaluation, RMWA selected the
Flanged Ultrasonic Flow Meter for its 12-inch clearwell discharge line. The features:
Measurement Technology: Dual-channel transit-time ultrasonic
Accuracy: ±0.5% of reading from 0.3–10 m/s flow velocity
Flange Rating: ANSI Class 150 raised face flanges, epoxy-coated ductile iron body
Liner Material: NSF-approved hard rubber for potable water compatibility
Outputs: 4–20 mA, pulse, Modbus RTU, and cellular IoT telemetry option
Diagnostics: Signal strength monitoring, automatic gain adjustment, and temperature compensation
Installation was completed during a planned maintenance shutdown. Field technicians aligned the spool piece precisely between existing flanges, minimizing pipe modification. The meter was commissioned and verified against a portable ultrasonic reference within two hours.
Results
Since startup in early 2026, RMWA has recorded:
Measurement Stability: No degradation in accuracy after six months of continuous service
Reduced Maintenance: Elimination of mechanical wear components saved an estimated $12,000 annually
Regulatory Compliance: Improved data granularity supported timely reporting to state environmental agencies
Operational Insight: Real-time flow visibility enabled better demand forecasting and pump scheduling
Conclusion
The Flanged Ultrasonic Flow Meter provided Riverbend Municipal Water Authority with a durable, accurate, and low-maintenance solution for treated water measurement. Its flange-mounted design simplified retrofitting into existing infrastructure, while advanced diagnostics enhanced operational confidence and regulatory compliance.
