Flow Meters – Good For More Than Just Flow Measurement

The Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority (PARSA) learned in its short 7-year history the value of accurate flow measurement. Although the initial metering system was installed by the former public agency just before they were dissolved and PARSA took over, it was PARSA that made use of the information to dispel long-standing positions as myth and replace them with factually based ones. This ultimately led to huge savings in deferred capital projects, and a real understanding of the collection system hydraulic conditions that were causing SSO's. Based on this information, PARSA and its Consulting Engineer, Kupper Associates, were able to focus on projects that eliminated I/I and improved system hydraulic conditions.Although the flow meters purchased in 1995 provide lots of valuable information about the system, concerns over accuracy led PARSA to look at different technologies. The Phase II meter selection in 2000-2001 utilized the data from the flow meters to select the best technology for each site.