Early warning system installed in the Tudela wastewater treatment plant enables to detect and control industrial discharges.

As part of the LIFE NAdapta Project, Action C2.1 "Development of an early warning system for possible environmental emergencies at wastewater treatment plants" is being implemented as a measure for adaptation to climate change, which will involve a change in rainfall patterns and a reduction in water resources. For this reason, improving sewage system management and avoiding any possible additional impact on the receiving channels of treated water, which will increase their vulnerability, is essential.

In the WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant) of Tudela NILSA, as a partner of the project, has implemented an early warning system for the wastewater treatment plant, consisting of different sensors, water samplers and a multiparameter analyzer. All this has made possible to investigate the origin of certain out-of-standard discharges that endanger compliance with authorised limits. 

An example of this is the case of phosphorus in the outlet water from the WWTP. The multiparametric analyzer made possible to detect high concentrations of phosphorus. The origin of the effluent was investigated. The results obtained are shown in graph 1. The existence of real time data allowed to discover the discharge habits (high concentrations of phosphorus at certain times).

Thanks to the above-mentioned dumping habits, after a sampling and analysis campaign, the company responsible for the dumping was identified and the situation was reported to the Department of Rural Development, Environment and Local Administration of the Government of Navarre. As a result of the cessation of the spill, the concentration of phosphorus in the wastewater dropped to normal values. 

Therefore, it can be conclude that the detection system has demonstrated the effectiveness of the implementation of these continuous monitoring devices in order to be able to act in the event of a spill and reduce its impact and effects.