Amid stricter environmental rules, automatic wastewater monitoring station is mandatory for facilities with large discharge volumes or high risk.

In the context of increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations, the installation of an automatic wastewater monitoring station is no longer an option but has become a mandatory requirement for many enterprises. Pursuant to Decree 48/2026/ND-CP and Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT, facilities generating wastewater on a large scale or posing a high risk of pollution are required to conduct automatic wastewater monitoring.

1. Overview of an Automatic Wastewater Monitoring Station

1.1. Concept

An automatic wastewater monitoring station is a real-time environmental monitoring solution that allows enterprises to continuously monitor the quality of treated effluent instead of relying on manual sampling methods. The system not only records data but also transmits it directly to the management authority, contributing to greater transparency in wastewater discharge activities.

On that basis, the monitoring station plays an important role in helping enterprises comprehensively control wastewater quality and the operating condition of the treatment system. Continuous monitoring helps detect abnormal signs early, thereby enabling timely adjustments before exceeding standards, limiting both environmental and legal risks.

1.2. Why should enterprises pay attention to installing an automatic wastewater monitoring station?

The system not only helps meet legal requirements but also acts as a “risk control tool” right at the source. Thanks to its continuous monitoring capability, enterprises can promptly detect and handle deviations before serious incidents occur, avoiding risks of penalties, operational disruptions, or impacts on brand reputation.

Investing properly from the initial stage helps enterprises shorten the time required to complete environmental documentation, ensure smooth data connectivity, and maintain stable long-term operation. On the contrary, a system that is not configured appropriately may lead to many additional costs and slow down implementation progress, directly affecting overall operational efficiency.

2. Legal regulations on automatic wastewater monitoring stations

The legal basis is the Law on Environmental Protection 2020, which stipulates the principles and groups of entities required to conduct automatic, continuous wastewater monitoring.

Decree 08/2022/ND-CP in Appendix XXIX and the updated supplements in Decree 48/2026/ND-CP clarify the wastewater discharge flow thresholds used to determine the entities required to install the system. Circular 10/2021/TT-BTNMT provides detailed technical requirements for the system, data transmission, cameras, sampling, operation, and quality control.

2.1. Entities required to install an automatic wastewater monitoring station

Industrial parks and industrial clusters: Areas where many manufacturing enterprises are concentrated, with large wastewater discharge volumes and diverse waste sources.

Factories and production facilities with large wastewater discharge volumes: Enterprises whose wastewater discharge exceeds the regulatory threshold must implement a monitoring system to continuously track the quality of treated effluent.

Facilities at risk of causing environmental pollution: Industries such as textile dyeing, food processing, chemicals, electroplating, etc. These are sectors characterized by wastewater containing many complex pollutants, which can seriously affect the environment if not strictly controlled.

Centralized wastewater treatment systems for urban areas and residential areas: Centralized domestic wastewater treatment plants need to be monitored regularly to ensure that treated water quality meets standards before being discharged into the environment.

Facilities subject to specific requirements: In some cases, the installation of an automatic wastewater monitoring station is directly stipulated in the enterprise’s environmental permit.

2.2. Requirements for data transmission and storage

The data logger must connect directly to measuring and analytical devices; output signals must be in digital form, and data must be stored for at least 60 days. Basic information includes measured parameters, results, units, time, and equipment status. Regarding data transmission, the system must connect via FTP/FTPs/sFTP to the server of the management authority, ensuring real-time transmission no later than 5 minutes. If an interruption occurs, the system must automatically retransmit the missing data after restoration.

2.3. Connection standards with management authorities

A very important point is that data from the automatic wastewater monitoring station must be transmitted directly to the provincial specialized environmental protection authority. Circular 10 requires monitoring data to be formatted as *.txt files, transmitted from a static IP address that has been notified to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and any connection ports not used for data transmission and receipt must be sealed. The highest-level administrator account of the data logger must also be provided to the Department so that it can manage, control, and monitor the system configuration.

2.4. Requirements for operation, calibration, cameras, and automatic sampling

Circular 10 stipulates that the equipment must be configured with a measurement range capable of measuring values at least 3 times the limit value in the applicable standard for the facility. The operating unit must have sufficient personnel knowledgeable about the system and must retain equipment records, drawings, SOPs, maintenance schedules, inspection schedules, and data backup procedures.

For standard solutions and periodic checks: The standard solutions used must be within their validity period, ensure a minimum accuracy of ±5%, and have traceability according to metrology regulations. In addition, the system must have a full plan for periodic inspection, calibration, and quality control before and throughout operation.

Automatic sampling: The equipment must be capable of sampling in multiple modes such as periodic, ad hoc, or scheduled-time sampling. After sampling, the sample must be stored in a dedicated cabinet at a temperature of 4 ± 2°C. At the same time, the system must support remote sampling control, and the sample storage cabinet must be sealed and managed in accordance with regulations of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Monitoring: The automatic wastewater monitoring station must be equipped with surveillance cameras at appropriate positions. If installed under the direct option, 1 camera is required at the discharge outlet. If installed under the indirect option, 1 camera is required inside the station house and 1 camera at the discharge outlet.

3. What components does an automatic wastewater monitoring station include?

A standard automatic wastewater monitoring station usually includes the following groups of equipment:

Environmental parameter measurement and analysis devices: This is the core component of the automatic wastewater monitoring station, responsible for measuring and analyzing important parameters such as pH, COD, TSS, ammonium, temperature, and flow. These devices typically use specialized sensors or automatic analytical technology.

Automatic sampling system: This system allows wastewater samples to be collected based on a set schedule or when parameters exceed the permitted threshold. Water samples are stored in specialized containers to serve inspection, comparison, or re-analysis purposes when necessary, especially in cases of inspection or environmental incidents.

Data acquisition and processing unit (Data Logger): This is the central device of the system, responsible for receiving signals from sensors, processing them, and converting data into an appropriate format. In addition, the data logger is also capable of storing data for a certain period, enabling enterprises to easily retrieve, inspect, and compare data when needed.

Data transmission system: After being processed, the data will be transmitted to the environmental management authority through connection methods such as internet, 3G/4G, or private networks. This system must ensure continuous, stable data transmission, in the correct format as regulated, and minimize interruptions or data loss.

Auxiliary equipment: Includes surveillance cameras to monitor station operation, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to maintain operation in case of power failure, and a station house to protect equipment from environmental impacts such as rain, sunlight, humidity, or corrosion.

Data from the automatic wastewater monitoring station is collected continuously from sensors, then processed through the data logger and transmitted to the management authority through an appropriate network system. A compliant system must ensure that data is transmitted continuously, in the correct prescribed format, without interruption, and with stable storage and synchronization capability throughout operation.

4. Solution for implementing an automatic wastewater monitoring station

4.1. Process of survey, design, installation, calibration, and maintenance

A proper implementation solution should begin with a site survey, review of environmental documentation, and clear identification of the legal subject and the parameters that need to be monitored. Only then should the direct or indirect installation method be selected, followed by finalizing the equipment configuration, cameras, sampling system, data logger, data transmission, and station house. This approach helps enterprises avoid having to modify the system after installation.

4.2. How to choose a suitable configuration

When choosing a configuration, enterprises should prioritize suitability with actual requirements and the project’s legal documentation rather than selecting only based on the initial investment level. A configuration that is correct from the beginning will help the system operate more stably, connect more smoothly, and reduce the risk of repeated upgrades.

4.3. Notes for stable long-term operation

To ensure stable system operation, enterprises need to establish a clear operating procedure, have a periodic maintenance and calibration plan, and ensure that responsible personnel have sufficient expertise. Checking with standard solutions, handling incidents, and backing up data are also important factors in maintaining long-term system efficiency.

5. What should be noted when implementing an automatic wastewater monitoring station?

5.1. Common difficulties

Correctly identifying the applicable entities and the parameters to be monitored: Many enterprises generate wastewater but have not clearly determined whether they fall into the category required to implement automatic wastewater monitoring, or have not yet distinguished between requirements arising from legal regulations and those stated in their environmental permit.

Selecting a suitable technical solution: In practice, not every discharge location is convenient for equipment installation. Factors such as limited space, remote discharge points, humid environments, or corrosive conditions can affect the arrangement of probes, the sampling system, station house, or electrical cabinet.

Synchronizing legal requirements and system configuration: If the initial survey stage is not complete, the system may lack equipment, use the wrong installation method, or require adjustment during implementation. This not only prolongs implementation time but also leads to additional investment costs.

5.2. Data connection with management authorities

Data connection is the stage most likely to encounter obstacles even when the hardware system has been completed. If FTP/FTPs/sFTP has not been configured correctly, if there is no static IP, if the data file format is incorrect, or if the system does not meet the receiving requirements of the management authority, then the system still does not meet technical requirements.

In addition, transmission quality, network stability, and data synchronization capability also have a major impact on the operation process.

5.3. Investment cost

The investment level depends on the number of parameters to be measured, analytical technology, degree of automation, site conditions, distance from the discharge point to the station house, requirements for cameras, sampling, UPS, and data transmission.

6. Survey and consultation for automatic wastewater monitoring system solutions

At present, many enterprises face difficulties in selecting and implementing wastewater monitoring systems due to a lack of orientation from the beginning, leading to situations where the system is not synchronized, data is unstable, or integration with management platforms is difficult. This not only affects operational efficiency but also poses risks in complying with legal regulations and may generate adjustment costs later.

Choosing unsuitable equipment or a suboptimal configuration also causes the system to deteriorate quickly, produce inaccurate data, or fail to meet the requirement for continuous data transmission to the management authority. This disrupts the monitoring process and directly affects the enterprise’s production activities.

Therefore, surveying and building a suitable solution from the beginning plays a key role in ensuring stable and effective long-term system operation. A system designed correctly from the start will help enterprises save costs, optimize operation, and easily expand in the future.

REECOTECH provides consulting, survey, and turnkey implementation services, helping enterprises accurately assess the current situation, analyze wastewater sources, and propose a system configuration suitable for actual needs. REECOTECH’s solutions not only ensure synchronization and data connectivity capability but also fully meet technical requirements and legal regulations.

Contact REECOTECH for consultation and site survey for the optimal solution, helping enterprises build an effective, stable, and sustainable monitoring system in the long term.

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REECO Science and Technology Co., Ltd.

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