Preventing Sewer System Overflows Through State Machine- Controlled Storage Tanks

Abstract

Automatic process control is a proven method for enhancing safety, productivity, and cutting operational costs across different industries. While some sectors have embraced advanced controllers, others are just starting to implement closed-loop systems. Urban sanitation systems often rely on basic on-off controllers, despite the critical role they play in managing urban effluents. Poor control can lead to environmental overflows. In our study, we maintain controller simplicity by using finite state machines but introduce two key enhancements: a centralized control strategy that monitors the entire tank system simultaneously and a fine-tuned strategy through optimization to minimize system overflows objectively. Testing the new controller in a simulated urban setting, considering effluent flow rates, quality variations, and rainfall changes, we achieved a significant 56% reduction overflow compared to the initial control proposal.