Stormwater management system: Prevent flooding & network overflowDiscover how to prevent flooding and sewer overflows with continuous monitoring of stormwater basins, channels and pump stations for compliance and rapid response.Stormwater managementPrevent flooding and sewer overflows with continuous monitoring of stormwater basins, channel networks and pump stations. Gain visibility, improve compliance and respond faster.How continuous monitoring helps overcome challengesContinuous monitoring for safe, compliant and efficient network operation IntroductionSewer systems or channel networks safely transport stormwater, municipal and industrial wastewater to the treatment plant. During heavy rainfall, stormwater retention basins temporarily store untreated wastewater when the plant’s maximum inlet capacity is reached, helping to prevent sewer overflows and flooding. To ensure compliance with legal requirements and efficient network operation, many plants use measurement and monitoring technologies to continuously monitor basin filling, water levels, discharge and overflow volumes.25 mm of raincan generate more than 250 m³ of stormwater on just one hectare of land, making reliable monitoring essential to prevent flooding and sewer overflows.Process overviewProtection in sewer networks and stormwater basinsSewer network with stormwater basin for flow balancing and overflow protectionControl of channel networks and stormwater basins help wastewater treatment plants manage wet-weather flows, prevent overflows and optimize transportInsightsReliable monitoring in sewer networksInsightsSewer networks rely on flow and level monitoring to measure wastewater volumes and keep wastewater treatment plants operating within their designed hydraulic capacity. Real-time monitoring provides early warning of increased hydraulic loads during heavy rainfall, helping prevent overflows and treatment disruptions. Combined with pump control across different sewer segments, flow and level measurement supports efficient sewer network management and reliable wastewater treatment.For direct flow measurement, electromagnetic flowmeters such as Promag W 400 and Promag W 10 provide reliable performance in wastewater Direct inlet flow measurement with electromagnetic flowmeters Promag W 400InsightsContinuous level monitoring for sewer systemsLevel measurement plays a key role by providing the data needed to correlate water levels with flow rates in channels and sewer systems. Continuous monitoring enables the early detection of clogged pipes, rising water levels and potential overflows into public waterways. This helps operators take corrective action before environmental or operational issues occur. Reliable level data also supports more efficient network control and planning.For challenging sewer environments with humidity or gas layers, radar instruments such as the Micropilot FMR20B combined with control unit FlexView FMA90 offer dependable performanceUse battery operated Micropilot FWR30 for remote monitoring Netilion or SupplyCare enable centralized visualization and analysis of measurement data across the systemMonitoring an open channel with FlexView FMA90 and Micropilot FMR20BInsightsStormwater basin monitoring to prevent overflowsEffective stormwater basin monitoring combines rainfall, level and flow data to protect wastewater infrastructure and waterways during heavy rainfall. Level measurement shows available storage capacity and indicates when untreated wastewater may be discharged. Flow measurement quantifies overflow volumes, while a recorder documents event frequency and discharged volumes for compliance and reporting. Remote access enables centralized monitoring, faster response and improved long-term network planning.Continuous basin level monitoring with radar sensor Micropilot FMR10B, Micropilot FMR20B or Micropilot FMR30B to detect rising water levels early. Process indicator RIA15 provides immediate transparency on basin status to prevent overflows.Combine radar sensors Micropilot FMR20B or Micropilot FMR30B with control unit FlexView FMA90 to monitor incoming and outgoing flows, verify retention capacity and better understand basin behavior during heavy rainfall events.Data manager Memograph RSG45 records level, flow, alarms and rainfall-related process data. Historical event records help analyze storm events and overflows to meet regulatory compliance.Continuous basin monitoring using radar sensor FMR20B combined with control unit FlexView FMA90InsightsMonitoring of sewer pump stationLevel measurement in pump stations is critical for controlling pump operations, helping prevent uncontrolled backflow of untreated wastewater into the environment, streets and households. Continuous level, pressure and flow monitoring provides valuable insight into pump station performance to detect failures early and minimize costly downtime. In wastewater applications, corrosive H₂S gases, foam, grease and debris can create challenging measurement conditions, making robust instrumentation essential. Depending on the application, hydrostatic, radar or ultrasonic technologies can be used to deliver reliable level measurement. Hydrostatic measurement with Waterpilot FMX21 offers durable, flush-mounted design that resists buildup and abrasionNon-contact radar instrumentation like Micropilot FMR10B, Micropilot FMR20B or Micropilot FMR30B are unaffected by foam or condensationCombined with controllers and displays such as the FlexView FMA90, these systems support efficient pump control and balanced pump usageHydrostatic level measurement with Waterpilot FMX21 in a pump stationMeasurement solutions for reliable stormwater managementProduct highlightsProduct highlightsReliable stormwater management depends on continuous visibility into flow, level, rainfall, and overflow events. Explore measurement technologies for sewer networks, retention basins, and pump stations that help operators detect rising hydraulic loads, control pumps, verify available storage capacity, and document discharges for regulatory reporting.Event documentationOverflow event documentation for compliance and post-event analysisEvent documentationDuring wet-weather events, operators often need documented evidence of basin performance, overflow duration and discharged volume. Continuous recording of level, flow and alarm data enables accurate event reconstruction and provides the traceability required for regulatory reporting and audits. Historical records also support the investigation of overflow incidents, helping plants identify recurring issues, evaluate network performance and implement measures to reduce environmental impact during future storm events.Inside plants: Making stormwater and sewer management more efficient Case studiesCase studiesFAQCommon questions about stormwater management and sewer networksFAQWhy is continuous monitoring important for stormwater basins?Continuous monitoring helps operators understand basin conditions before, during and after rainfall events. Real-time level and flow data can support overflow prevention, optimize basin utilization, reduce manual inspections and provide documented evidence of system performance during storm events. What are the biggest operational challenges in stormwater basin management?The biggest operational challenges in stormwater basin management include unexpected flooding and overflow events, limited visibility into available basin capacity, inaccurate manual measurements and the need to meet regulatory reporting requirements. Reliable measurement data helps operators identify trends and make informed operational decisions.How does stormwater monitoring support regulatory compliance?Many authorities require documented evidence of basin performance, discharge behavior, and overflow events. Continuous monitoring and secure data recording help provide traceable information that can support compliance reporting and audits.How can operators determine whether a basin is being fully utilized?By analyzing level trends over multiple rainfall events, operators can compare actual water levels against design capacity. If a basin rarely reaches expected operating levels, there may be opportunities to optimize storage or discharge strategies.Can stormwater monitoring support climate resilience initiatives?Monitoring data can help utilities and municipalities better understand changing rainfall patterns, evaluate infrastructure performance during extreme weather events and identify locations that may require future upgrades.Next stepsContact our expertDownload brochureMight also interest you