City of Bellevue upgrades to smarter, safer sewer monitoring
The City of Bellevue, Washington, has upgraded its sewer level monitoring network with Kallipr Captis S2 and Radar sensors, improving visibility, safety and operational efficiency across the city’s wastewater system
The Need
City of Bellevue’s wastewater network faces mounting challenges from population growth, ageing infrastructure and increased inflow and infiltration (I&I) during heavy rainfall. The city needed a modern, low-maintenance monitoring solution that could provide real-time data, reduce field visits and ensure worker safety.
Traditional systems required manual maintenance, complex setups and exposed components prone to damage or vandalism. Bellevue sought a solution that would simplify installs, cut operating costs and deliver reliable performance under tough field conditions.
The Solution
City of Bellevue deployed Captis S2 data loggers paired with Kallipr Radar sensors across key sewer chambers to continuously monitor water level and surface velocity. The combined system provides near-real-time data directly to the city’s operations team, helping identify surcharge events and blockages before they escalate.
The Kallipr solution was chosen for its simple installation, IP68-rated protection and innovative field-ready design – engineered to minimize downtime and remove the need for confined space entry.
Key features
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Safe battery replacement – Captis S2 batteries can be swapped from outside the chamber, removing the need for confined space entry permits and reducing service time.
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Field resealing – Devices can be opened and resealed in the field without compromising their IP68 protection rating or warranty.
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Under-lid operation – No external antennas or exposed components, reducing risk of vandalism or damage while maintaining strong cellular connectivity.
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Proven IP68 testing – Certified to operate 5 m underwater for 14 days.
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Dual-SIM connectivity – Seamless network switching for maximum uptime.
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Rapid install – Plug-and-play bracket design allows installation in around 30 minutes with no drilling or modification.
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Non-contact measurement – Radar sensors measure both water level and velocity without touching the flow, avoiding fouling and maintenance.
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Built for harsh environments – Fully sealed components, stainless-steel connectors and corrosion-resistant design ensure long-term reliability.
The Results
The Results
Since installation, City of Bellevue’s wastewater operations team has gained continuous visibility into flow behaviour and early warnings of potential blockages or surcharge events, all with minimal field intervention.
“We were looking for a monitoring system that didn’t just perform well in the field but was also straightforward to deploy and maintain. The Kallipr devices were installed in a fraction of the time we expected, and the long battery life and low servicing needs mean lower total cost of ownership for the city over the years ahead.”
– Jeff Kollenborn, Wastewater Superintendent, City of Bellevue, Washington
Outcomes
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Real-time visibility into sewer network conditions
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Safer maintenance with zero confined space entry
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Lower total cost of ownership through long battery life
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Reduced downtime and fewer site visits
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Increased network reliability and faster response to surcharge events
Each Kallipr device was deployed in around half an hour using the plug-and-play mounting system.
Install, battery changes and maintenance can be done from above ground, removing confined space risks entirely.
Every device is IP68-tested to operate 5 metres underwater for 14 days, ensuring data continuity during floods.
