Lunner Municipality adopts AI for smarter wastewater treatment - with technology from Guard

Lunner Municipality is testing a new technology at the Harestua and Volla wastewater treatment plants to treat wastewater with fewer chemicals, while streamlining operations and cutting costs.

Using a cloud-based system with artificial intelligence, the treatment process can be optimised in real time. The technology, developed by Sandefjord-based Guard Automation, analyses the composition of the water and automatically adjusts chemical usage as needed.

”Ensuring clean water for people and nature is a core task that we take with the utmost seriousness. Therefore we invest in smarter solutions that improve operations and reduce costs,” says Eivinn Arnold Fjellhammer, municipal manager for planning and community in Lunner Municipality.

Better treatment with fewer chemicals

Guard Treat Smart utilises artificial intelligence to analyse real-time data and historical trends, which ensures precise chemical dosing. This leads to more stable operations, reduces chemical consumption and frees up time for the operators.

”Many wastewater treatment plants dose chemicals based on the total water volume, not necessarily on what actually needs to be treated. Our system utilises existing data to optimise the dosage,” says Caroline Haglund, business developer for artificial intelligence at Guard Automation.

Provides a better basis for decision-making

The new technology also provides the municipality with valuable insight into the water and wastewater network.

”We can more easily assess whether we should prioritise more treatment capacity or improve the piping network. The data also helps us document the effect of measures to ensure clean water,” Fjellhammer explains.

He emphasises that wastewater challenges do not stop at municipal borders.

”The water we treat is discharged into local rivers that eventually end up in the Oslo Fjord. Therefore it is important to lift our gaze and look holistically at water and wastewater management.”

International potential

So far seven Norwegian municipalities have adopted the technology, with good results: reduced chemical consumption of 20-30 per cent, more stable operations and fewer manual adjustments. Guard Automation also sees international opportunities.

”The technology is already in use in Sweden, and we see a significant need for smarter and more sustainable wastewater treatment globally,” says Haglund.

She praises Lunner Municipality for being an early adopter:

”Municipalities that test and further develop the solution provide us with valuable insight. This ensures that the technology works in practice and meets actual needs.”