Renforcer la surveillance de la qualité de l’eau à Tarragone, en Espagne (en anglais)

The system includes 23 pumping stations, more than 100 delivery points (municipalities and industries), and over 400,000 cubic meters of storage capacity. Managing such a large and complex network requires precise, real-time data to maintain water quality and protect critical assets.

CAT’s raw water supply is highly variable. Seasonal changes, reservoir operations, algae blooms, industrial discharges and wastewater outfalls all influence water chemistry. Without continuous oversight, these shifts could compromise drinking water safety and disrupt operations.

Spain’s aging infrastructure and increasing water stress have led to an increased focus on digital solutions. Digitization is essential to modernize and expand water infrastructure and CAT has positioned itself as a pioneer in this area. The utility’s approach combines in-plant and network distributed asset monitoring tools from BlueEdge by Badger Meter.

The water quality monitoring devices deliver a 3D spectral fingerprint of reservoir conditions in moni::tool.

In-Plant Water Quality Monitoring

At the Ampolla DWTP, advanced sensors measure up to 18 different parameters, including conductivity, turbidity, UV254 absorbance, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, color, free chlorine, nitrates, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), the UV-Vis water spectrum and other indicators. Both the spectro::lyser and i::scan, multiparameter spectrophotometer probes configured as water quality monitoring stations provide continuous readings of raw water chemistry.

CAT’s water quality is susceptible to seasonal changes, reservoir operations, algae blooms and more. Water quality monitoring stations provide continuous readings of raw water chemistry.

Monitoring begins at the canal gates, where sensors check incoming river water before it enters treatment, ensuring any abnormalities are identified at the earliest stage. Real-time water quality data supports multiple treatment processes, including ozonation, filtration and UV disinfection.

Dissolved ozone analyzers optimize pre- and post-ozone dosing for disinfection, while UV transmittance measurements ensure correct UV dosage for safe disinfection.

Continuous oversight has also improved resilience against climate-related challenges. Rising temperatures, algae blooms, drought conditions and higher salinity in the Ebro River all pose risks; but with more analyzers and predictive models, CAT can anticipate and respond to changing conditions.

“We can now detect unusual organic matter (such as an industry oil spill) in our raw surface water spectrum [before it comes up in the news]” said Aleix Martorell, Operations Manager at CAT.

During the filtration process, the FilterSmart system improves backwash performance, reducing cleaning water use by 35%. FilterSmart measures media expansion and turbidity to present a clear picture of water conditions during the backwash process. Continuous monitoring replaces manual hours spent on data collection to simplify filter optimization.

The FilterSmart sensor is located at the top of a gravity filter just below the top of the wash trough. During a backwash, the ultrasonic sensor tracks the level of the media and the turbidity sensor measures how clean or dirty the wash water is as it flows into the wash trough. Trend reporting helps operators optimize processes to virtually eliminate media loss and mud-ball formation. For CAT, the FilterSmart optimized its filtration process, reducing water consumption and energy use.

FilterSmart improved and optimized the filter washing process, reducing energy use and water consumption for CAT.

In-Network Asset Monitoring

Across the distribution network, CAT operates 14 water quality warning stations that track free chlorine, turbidity, conductivity, color, UV254, TOC and DOC.

With the con::cube V3 IoT terminal, CAT centralizes all data, calculates derived values such as total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), bromide and Langelier Index to assess water stability. Mobile access to these readings is available for operators in the field, to support early response to abnormalities.

The monitoring system has given CAT unprecedented visibility into water quality. Operators can compare data over time, control maintenance operations in the network, spot unusual events and react quickly to potential contamination.

Reservoir Monitoring

To understand flow dynamics and residual chlorine levels in large storage tanks, Badger Meter deployed a custom reservoir monitoring solution, designed specifically for CAT’s needs.

This portable solution, comprised of a spectro::lyser and redo::lyser oxidation-reduction potential (ORP/redox) sensor, measured water chemistry within a large storage tank to provide details on drinking water quality. This proof-of-concept was so successful that the utility is looking to install more monitoring stations in the future to help operators understand water quality dynamics in large storage tanks.

A custom reservoir monitoring solution helps operators understand flow dynamics and residual chlorine levels in large storage tanks.

Optimization and System Resilience

Continuous oversight in the DWTP has strengthened the system’s resilience against climate-related challenges, including droughts, high salinity and algal blooms. Optimized processes have lowered operational costs by reducing chemical use and saving water during the filtration process. Integrated solutions for water quality monitoring in the distribution network have helped CAT achieve comprehensive visibility across its system. Operators can detect events early, adjust treatment processes in real-time and pinpoint the causes of hydraulic stress to minimize future water loss.For many years, with BlueEdge solutions, the Tarragona Water Consortium has built a smarter, more resilient water network. Continuous monitoring ensures safe drinking water for more than a million people while protecting infrastructure from water quality risks. By expanding digitalization and adding more analyzers in the years ahead, CAT is positioning itself to meet future challenges with confidence.