ST. LOUIS - A new gauge-adjusted radar system will help save the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) millions of dollars in scaling future projects, and ultimately, ratepayers.
At present, MSD has approximately 100 in-the-ground rain gauges spread across the metro area. This new program, courtesy of the National Weather Service, puts more than 2,000 virtual gauges in use via radar stations.
According to MSD, stationary rain gauges lack the ability to measure rainfall amounts between their locations. These new virtual gauges measure rainfall by using radar signals that bounce off water droplets in the atmosphere.
The virtual system will improve analysis of overflow and backups, and allow MSD engineers to determine if they're cause by rainfall or if it's a problem with the sewer system itself.
