While social life continues to advance and industries develop rapidly, environmental protection remains a stringent priority—particularly regarding the water environment. For both domestic sewage and industrial wastewater, relevant authorities mandate rigorous treatment and monitoring protocols. However, pollution incidents still occur. This paper explores common challenges in wastewater monitoring, illustrated through the case of hospital wastewater, as outlined below:
1.Fluctuations in Sewage Discharge and Dosage Adjustment Lag
The number of patients in hospitals is highly variable, leading to dynamic changes in sewage discharge volume. Automated dosing systems may fail to adjust chemical dosages promptly in response to these fluctuations; manual operations are similarly prone to delays. Such lags can result in non-compliance with discharge standards for key indicators, including total residual chlorine and coliform bacteria. Real-time monitoring of these parameters via Online Total Residual Chlorine Analyzers and Online Coliform Analyzers enables continuous tracking of compliance status.
2.Corrosion of Piping Systems and Disinfection Risks
The chemicals used in wastewater treatment exhibit strong corrosivity. Prolonged exposure gradually degrades piping infrastructure, impairing the normal operation of dosing units. While regular cleaning by staff can extend the service life of corroded pipelines, it does not address the root cause of corrosion. In extreme cases, this may lead to the discharge of untreated, non-disinfected sewage. Though rare, such incidents cannot be dismissed.
3.Operational Complexity and Coordination Gaps
Sewage treatment involves frequent monitoring (daily and monthly), making inter-staff coordination critical. Each team member must maintain clear situational awareness and a precise understanding of their responsibilities to ensure seamless workflow.
In summary, this paper has outlined three key challenges in wastewater monitoring. It is imperative to emphasize that robust Medical Wastewater Online Monitoring is essential to ensure compliance of all water quality indicators with discharge standards.
