{"id":18298,"date":"2025-02-19T16:10:49","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T21:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/?p=18298"},"modified":"2026-01-30T13:50:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:50:57","slug":"sensors-and-gauges-for-water-tower-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/applications\/sensors-and-gauges-for-water-tower-monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Sensors and Gauges for Water Tower Monitoring"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is a continuation of<\/em> Pressure; Getting Water to Where It Needs to Go<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whether elevated or underground, water delivery systems work at their best when operators continually monitor the water\u2019s pressure, level, and temperature. Structural health is also important. The gauges and sensors used in water tower applications must be able to withstand heavy vibration, temperature extremes, and of, course, moisture.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n

Water pumps, pipes, and storage tanks are expensive, vital investments for any municipality. To protect the entire infrastructure and to ensure the reliable delivery of drinking water, use measuring instruments designed to operate under challenging conditions.<\/p>\n\n

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A-10 pressure transmitter<\/p><\/div>\n \n

Pressure Instruments for Water Delivery Systems<\/h2>\n

A range of pressure gauges and sensors help monitor the pumps that lift water to the elevated storage tanks, as well as the pipes that carry water to and from the tank. Since pumps and their motors create significant vibration, pulsation, and pressure surges that can damage standard instruments, the gauges and sensors used in this application must be able to withstand wide pressure variations.<\/p>\n

The A-10 pressure transmitter<\/a> is highly resistant to pressure spikes and vibration, thanks to thin-film technology<\/a> and an all-welded stainless steel measuring cell. It is cost-effective, making this transmitter ideal for OEMs, and has an extremely compact design to fit in tight spaces. When installed at the suction (inlet) side of a pump, the A-10 helps prevent cavitation, which can cause pressure spikes. For the most demanding pressure measuring requirements, use the S-20 superior pressure transmitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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UPT-20 process transmitter<\/p><\/div>\n \n

Model UPT-20 with pressure port<\/a> and HART communication protocol is the recommended universal process transmitter for use with either the A-10 or S-20. It is constructed of stainless steel or stainless steel and PBT plastic, and all wetted parts are made of welded stainless steel with no internal O-rings, gaskets, or other soft sealing materials. The UPT-20 is available with a variety of certificates (NACE MR0103 and MR0175, NIST traceable accuracy, DKD\/DAkks calibration per IEC 17025, etc.) and is CE and RoHS compliant.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>

111.25DW pressure gauge<\/p><\/div>\n \n

For gauges that do not come into direct contact with drinking water, use one of WIKA\u2019s heavy-duty XSEL\u00ae models. The 21X.34<\/a>, 23X.34<\/a>, and 26X.34<\/a> feature Swiss-made movements and hardened components that reduce stress and wear \u2013 making these gauges an economical choice with their long service life. Liquid case filling<\/a> offers even greater protection against vibration, pulsation, and pressure surges.<\/p>\n\n

CPT6020 pressure transducer<\/p><\/div>\n \n

Level Measurement in Water Towers<\/h2>\n

Underground storage tanks, which are not gravity-fed, can use submersible pressure sensors<\/a> for level measurement. For above-ground water tanks, however, a pressure transmitter like the A-10<\/a> or S-20<\/a> \u2013 installed on the discharge pipe \u2013 can measure the hydrostatic pressure of the water column above that point.<\/p>\n

For even more precise level measurement, use a digital pressure transducer like the <\/span>CPT6020<\/a>. It is a self-contained pressure sensing device, meaning that it incorporates a low-hysteresis silicon sensor with electronically compensated pressure linearity over the entire compensated temperature range. This calibration-grade instrument has a \u00b10.020% full-scale accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Temperature Instruments for Water Towers and Pumps<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Municipalities in the north have to deal with cold-weather situations. In addition to plowing snow and de-icing roads, there\u2019s the matter of keeping water tower piping from freezing. Some cities get around the issue by storing treated water below the frost line \u2013 around 6 feet deep at 45\u00b0 latitude. But underground storage is an expensive solution. Not only does it require extensive engineering and excavation at the project outset, but also calls for many pumps operating nonstop to deliver water to customers. In contrast, water towers are much more cost effective to construct, operate, and maintain.<\/p>\n

Due to the tanks\u2019 depth, the water inside usually won\u2018t freeze completely, and any ice that does form is at the top \u2013 rising and falling alongside the water level. The piping is another matter. Insulation and heat tape prevent a water tower\u2019s riser and discharge pipes from freezing, and the warmed water entering the tank slows down the freezing process. Resistance thermometers (RTDs) in wireless transceiver nodes<\/a> help monitor temperatures in key locations throughout water tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

TR58 bearing RTD<\/p><\/div>\n \n

RTDs are also invaluable for monitoring the condition of high-pressure water pumps, as increasing temperature can indicate that the motor is overheating \u2013 a potentially dangerous and costly problem. The <\/span>TR58 bearing RTD<\/a> has a solid design with no moving parts, making it vibration-proof. Its compact design allows it to fit in tight spaces like bearing plates, shafts, and motor windings. It can also be spring-loaded into the bearing\u2019s housing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wireless Sensors for Condition Monitoring<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At the heart of a municipality\u2019s water delivery system, pumps are expensive yet vital pieces of equipment. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that their motors remain in good working condition. Wireless, easily configurable, and simple to install, Leap Sensors<\/a> by WIKA IIoT Solutions help users keep an eye on the state of their pumps and other rotating equipment with one transceiver node that measures a variety of parameters:<\/p>\n