Sewer Flow Meter Solutions for Wastewater & Collection Systems
For municipalities and industrial users, getting sewer flow right is about more than a number on a report—it’s about capacity, compliance, and avoiding unpleasant surprises downstream. A sewer flow meter gives you the depth, velocity, and totalized flow data you need to understand what’s happening in your collection system, manholes, and discharge points.
Clipper Controls represents Teledyne ISCO sewer flow monitoring solutions across California, Nevada, and Hawaii, helping you apply proven Signature, DuraTracker, and LaserFlow technology with the right sensors, power, and communications for your site.
👉 Whether you’re planning an I&I study, monitoring an industrial sewer discharge, or upgrading legacy open-channel meters, we can help you specify a sewer flow monitoring system that’s built for real-world wastewater conditions. Contact us today!
Similar Pages: Water & Wastewater Industry Process Control Applications | Flow Instrumentation | Metering Manholes | Automatic Water Samplers
What Is a Sewer Flow Meter and Why it Matters
A sewer flow meter is an instrument used to measure flow rate and totalized volume in gravity sewers, manholes, and collection systems. Unlike closed-pipe flow meters, sewer metering typically happens in open channels where the pipe is partially full and the flow profile changes with level.
Modern sewer flow meters combine:
- Level measurement – to determine depth in the pipe or manhole
- Velocity measurement – using area-velocity (AV) or non-contact Doppler/laser methods
- Data logging and communications – to trend, alarm, and report flow for engineering studies and compliance
Accurate sewer flow measurement supports:
Open-Channel Sewer Flow Measurement: Depth, Velocity, and AV
In open-channel sewer applications, flow is calculated as Q = A × V (area times velocity):
- The meter measures depth, then calculates the cross-sectional area of the pipe or channel.
- It measures velocity using an AV sensor or non-contact technology.
- It computes flow rate and integrates over time to provide totalized volume.
Common sewer flow meter approaches include:
- Area-velocity meters with submerged AV sensors
- Non-contact sewer flow meters using laser or ultrasonic methods
- Level + primary device (flumes/weirs) where hydraulic conditions allow
Teledyne ISCO’s Signature and DuraTracker platforms let you mix and match these methods so you can build a sewer flow monitoring solution tailored to each location instead of forcing the same hardware everywhere.
Teledyne ISCO Sewer Flow Meter Lineup
Signature Flow Meter for Permanent Sewer Discharge Monitoring
The Teledyne ISCO Signature® flow meter is a versatile platform for permanent sewer flow monitoring and regulatory reporting.
Key capabilities for sewer applications:
- Supports area-velocity, non-contact LaserFlow, and other flow measurement methods
- Multiple sensor inputs for redundant level/velocity or combining flow with sampler control
- Built-in data logging with detailed event and totalized flow records
- Integration with SCADA, PLCs, and telemetry using common industrial protocols
Typical uses:
- Industrial sewer discharge monitoring for pretreatment compliance and cost allocation
- Wastewater treatment plant influent/effluent flow verification
- Permanent trunk line and interceptor monitoring stations
When you need a sewer flow meter that behaves like a plant instrument—with robust I/O, diagnostics, and reporting—the Signature platform is often the right fit.
DuraTracker for Long-Term Sewer Flow Studies and I&I Projects
The Teledyne ISCO DuraTracker® is designed for distributed sewer flow surveys and long-term monitoring in manholes and collection systems.
Highlights for collection system work:
- Flexible inputs for AV sensors, level sensors, and LaserFlow
- Optimized for low-power, battery-based operation
- Advanced data logging for multi-month deployments
- Rugged housing designed for harsh sewer environments
Typical applications:
- Inflow & infiltration (I&I) studies across multiple basins
- Temporary or semi-permanent sewer flow monitoring for capacity modeling
- CSO/SSO project data collection
If you’re planning a large-scale sewer flow survey in California, Nevada, or Hawaii, DuraTracker systems with the right sensors and batteries can deliver reliable data while minimizing site visits.
LaserFlow Non-Contact Sensor for Manholes and Difficult Sites
The Teledyne ISCO LaserFlow® sensor is a non-contact sewer flow meter solution for harsh, high-debris, or difficult-to-access locations. Mounted above the flow, it uses a laser to measure velocity below the surface while also tracking level.
Benefits in sewer applications:
- Non-contact design keeps critical components out of the sewage stream
- Ideal for manholes, surcharged lines, and low-slope sewers
- Pairs with Signature or DuraTracker to form a complete open-channel sewer flow meter system
- Optional redundant submerged AV sensor for backup during submerged conditions
LaserFlow is a strong choice when you want to reduce routine cleaning, minimize confined-space entry, and still maintain accurate sewer flow measurement in challenging hydraulics.
AV and Level Sensors for Partially Full Pipes
For many sewers, a submerged AV sensor or dedicated level device is the most practical approach. Teledyne ISCO’s sensors are built specifically for wastewater environments:
- Submerged AV sensors measure both velocity and depth in partially full pipes
- Ultrasonic or bubbler level sensors monitor depth over primary devices or in manholes
- Sensors integrate directly with Signature and DuraTracker for compact, easy-to-service systems
These configurations are ideal for:
- Standard sanitary sewer mains
- Sewers with moderate solids where scheduled maintenance is acceptable
- Sites with existing flumes, weirs, or other primary devices
Power, Enclosures, and Telemetry for Remote Sewer Flow Monitoring
Beyond the instrument itself, sewer flow meters depend on reliable power, protection, and data paths. A sewage flow meter is only as useful as the data you can retrieve. Teledyne ISCO systems offer flexible options to keep instruments powered and connected in remote sewer locations.
Power options:
- Internal battery-powered sewer flow meter deployments for long-term logging
- External 12–28 VDC power where site power is available
- Solar-assisted systems for extended deployments with telemetry
Enclosures and mounting hardware:
- NEMA-rated enclosures for above-ground or roadside cabinets
- Pipe, wall, and bridge mounting hardware kits
- Manhole deployment hardware for LaserFlow and submerged AV sensors
Telemetry & data retrieval:
- Cellular or radio telemetry for distributed networks
- Direct SCADA/PLC integration from Signature at permanent stations
- Onboard data logging with removable storage for manual data collection
- For long-term trending and dashboards, ClipperView Flow Monitoring Software can visualize data from distributed sewer flow meters.
Where Sewer Flow Meters Are Used
I&I and Sewer Capacity Studies
When you’re hunting for inflow and infiltration, you need sewer flow meters strategically placed across the collection system:
- Monitor nighttime minimum flows to identify groundwater infiltration
- Track wet-weather response to pinpoint inflow problem areas
- Generate the depth and flow data required by hydraulic models and consultants
DuraTracker and LaserFlow combinations are well suited for basin-wide I&I projects.
Industrial Sewer Discharge and Pretreatment Monitoring
Industrial facilities often must document sewer discharge flows for pretreatment permits and cost allocation. A robust sewer flow meter at the discharge point can:
- Provide continuous flow totals for billing and surcharge calculations
- Tie into composite samplers for flow-weighted sampling
- Integrate with plant SCADA for real-time monitoring and alarms
Signature-based systems give you plant-grade I/O while maintaining sewer-appropriate measurement technology.
Storm, Combined, and Sanitary Sewer Networks
Sewer flow meters are used across:
- Sanitary sewers for routine monitoring and capacity planning
- Combined sewer systems to track overflow risk and regulatory compliance
- Storm sewers and outfalls where flow data supports permit reporting
Teledyne ISCO platforms let you standardize on a common hardware and software environment while tailoring sensors, power, and telemetry to each location.
How Clipper Controls Helps Specify the Right Sewer Flow Meter
Every sewer location is different—pipe size, slope, debris load, access, available power, and communications all affect the right choice of sewer flow meter and sensor.
As the local Teledyne ISCO representative for California, Nevada, and Hawaii, Clipper Controls can help you:
- Select the right platform (Signature vs. DuraTracker) for each site
- Decide between non-contact LaserFlow and submerged AV sensors
- Configure level-only vs. full area-velocity measurement
- Size power systems (battery, solar, or external supply)
- Plan telemetry and data retrieval to match your SCADA/IT standards
- Specify enclosures, mounts, and accessories for safe, serviceable installations
We can review drawings, existing data, and your project goals to propose a sewer flow monitoring package that meets both technical and budget requirements.
👉 Ready to talk through a sewer flow meter project?
Call 844-880-2469 or contact Clipper Controls to discuss your application and request a quote.
FAQ
👉 Need help specifying a sewer flow meter in CA, NV, or HI?
Reach out at 844-880-2469 or send us your application details. We’ll help you choose the right Teledyne ISCO sewer flow monitoring solution for your collection system or industrial discharge.
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