InSchuKa4.0

As part of the Jena initiative ZEUS (Future-oriented energy-optimised and environmentally-focused priorities) is a programme of ZV JenaWasser for the uniform bundling of all future projects and measures for the energy and environmental optimisation of plants and process technologies as well as innovative approaches (e.g. SmartKan, Wastewater 4.0 etc.). The aim is to achieve and ensure standardised project processing, such as the formulation of project objectives, project process, project participants, project implementation and completion, as well as transferability to other municipal authorities. The submitted project is based on an innovative and award-winning drainage plan ("Goldener Kanaldeckel") of the JenaWasser special-purpose association (see KA Betriebs-Info, issue 3/2020).

Flooding as a result of heavy rainfall events is occurring more and more frequently in Germany (the events of summer 2021 have clearly demonstrated this) and, in conjunction with severe storms, often cause major damage and considerable environmental pollution due to the uncontrolled discharge of untreated wastewater into watercourses. This is aggravated by the fact that the sewer pipes can no longer absorb the accumulating water masses, although there is still storage capacity in the sewer system itself and in the connected rainwater basins. Observations also indicate that more extreme dry periods are to be expected in the future, as 2018 and 2019 clearly show. The location and timing of such events are difficult to predict, meaning that sewer system operators are faced with sometimes conflicting challenges for which they must be prepared.

The desired solution therefore focuses on the implementation of dynamic, flexible sewer network management through intelligent data collection, evaluation and monitoring in order to optimally utilise the existing sewer network volume during heavy rainfall and to counteract possible negative effects even during dry periods, such as increased sedimentation, odour formation and corrosion or uncontrolled discharge of pollutants into water bodies during short-term heavy rainfall events after a longer dry period.