During routine analysis, a utility identified abnormal behavior in the inflow tank level measurement at a pumping station. The tank level data had started to deviate below its normal range, even though pump runtime measurements remained stable and followed the expected trend.
Because there were no corresponding changes in the downstream flow measurements, and pump runtimes continued as normal, it became clear that the issue was not related to actual flow conditions in the network. Instead, the fault was traced back to the pumping station itself and more specifically to the tank level measurement.
The issue was identified during an onboarding meeting while introducing system features and reviewing operational data. Based on these insights, maintenance workers were able to act immediately and inspect the site the same day. They discovered grease buildup in the inflow tank, which had interfered with the level measurement and caused the malfunction.
After the grease was cleaned away, the utility was able to restore proper measurement functionality and avoid further operational problems. The case shows how combining different data points such as level, runtime, and downstream flow can help utilities quickly isolate faults, prioritize maintenance, and prevent small issues from escalating.
