New Tote 3 Rounds Out Equipment Fleet for Maryland Environmental Services

Influent flow monitoring project at Villa Julie College

I&I study in St. Michaels, MD

MESâs Water and Wastewater Program Division performs a full range of stormwater, water supply and wastewater treatment services.  Primary functions include minimizing the environmental impact of residential and industrial wastewater discharges and ensuring a safe drinking water supply for Maryland residents.  MESâs capabilities include financing, engineering design, construction inspection, laboratory testing, operation, maintenance, and facility supervision.  Licensed and certified personnel operate and maintain numerous private, municipal and county plants, as well as all state-owned plants located at correctional institutions, health facilities, rest areas and parks.

For over a decade, MESâs skilled staff of engineers and technicians have relied on Marsh-McBirney (MMI) Flo-Tote and Flo-Mate Open Channel Flowmeters to provide accurate flow data for their water and wastewater projects.  Whether collecting flow data for Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) studies, stream studies, sampling projects, sewer flow spot checks, calibration of primary devices or other projects requiring flow monitoring, MMI flowmeters are MESâs exclusive meter of choice.

Dan Guyer, with MESâ Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Group, has worked with the MMI flowmeters on an almost daily basis since their initial purchase in the early 1990âs.  Since that time, five additional Flo-Toteâs and two Flo-Mateâs have been purchased.  Guyer states, 'I am completely hooked on the Flo-Tote after the abuse they have taken for me.  The Flo-Mate is also incredibly easy.  You just turn it on, drop it in the water and let it go to work.ä  A few of MESâs recent projects that utilize MMI flowmeters include:

• Sewer flow monitoring project in Waldorf, MD
• Sampling/flow monitoring project in Hunt Valley, MD
• Stream monitoring/weir calibration application at Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Although the majority of Guyerâs work is performed in the state of Maryland, he also performs flow studies in Washington, D.C., including a sampling and stormwater monitoring for D.C.âs Water and Sewer Authority (WASA).   A few flow projects have also been performed in West Virginia and Virginia.  Data collected from the flowmeters is forwarded to MESâs Engineering Group for further data analysis.  Due to Guyerâs expansive flowmeter knowledge and field experience, he is known as the 'flow freelancerä throughout his organization.

A few months ago when Guyer needed an additional Flo-Tote on a short-term basis, he was asked if he would like to try the new open channel flowmeter that MMI would be unveiling in the Spring of 2003.  The new meter, named the Flo-Tote 3, is a major re-design of the original Flo-Tote meter that has been the flow industry standard for over two decades.  The prevailing objective of the Flo-Tote 3 design team was to create an instrument that could turn flowmeter users 'wishesä into reality.  Therefore, the Flo-Tote 3 incorporates an array of customer requested features while utilizing the same proven electromagnetic sensor technology.  New features include:

• Disconnectable Sensor (pictured at right)
• Sensor Interchangeability (Flo-Tote 3 and Flo-Dar Flowmeters)
• Field Replaceable Sensor (No Calibration Needed-No Down Time)
• Extended Battery Life
• 24 Hour Service Turnaround
• Lightweight for Easy Handling (half the weight of Flo-Tote II)
• Grease Tolerant Sensor
• Flow Temperature Measurement
• Portable and Permanent Models
• Easy-to-use Windows software, Flo-Ware for laptop/desktop computers and Flo-Ware FX for Pocket PC

Guyer was thrilled with the new Flo-Tote 3 and MES recently placed an order for four units based on his recommendation.  Features that sold Guyer on the new meter included the disconnectable sensor, compact size, and longer battery life.  'The longer battery life of the Tote 3 will save me time since I wonât have to download data as often.  We also have some really high and rough flows in some applications and itâs nice to know I can buy a spare sensor and change it on site if necessary without returning the meter.ä  Guyer also looks forward to the time when he may have an application for a MMI Flo-Dar  flowmeter since the sensor is interchangeable with his Flo-Tote 3 meter.  Guyer adds, '·I will be able to save money since I only need to purchase the sensor portion of the Flo-Dar meter instead of buying an entire unit.ä

While MES continues to provide efficient, cost-effective solutions to their clientâs environmental needs, MMI will continue to do its part by providing them with flowmeters designed with leading-edge technology that encompasses cost-saving flexibility for their flow monitoring equipment needs today and into the future.