APG-Neuros has been awarded a contract by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) to deploy its Ventura Control AI advanced process control platform across nine wastewater treatment works, expanding the use of Ventura Control AI within DCWW’s network to a total of ten sites.
As part of its commitment to reducing process greenhouse gas emissions while improving energy management, treatment stability, process visibility and operational resilience, DCWW has partnered with APG-Neuros to implement advanced, data-driven process control across these facilities.
Advancing Wastewater Treatment Through Predictive Control
Ventura Control AI is APG-Neuros’ model-based advanced process control platform developed specifically for water resource recovery facilities. By combining predictive algorithms, machine learning and real-time process data, Ventura continuously adapts treatment processes to actual operating conditions rather than relying solely on fixed operating setpoints.
A key focus of the DCWW deployment will be optimizing biological treatment to support greenhouse gas reduction objectives. Ventura incorporates advanced control strategies targeting nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas that can be generated during biological nitrogen removal.
Using real-time measurements and predictive modeling, the platform can dynamically optimize dissolved oxygen, internal recycle and external carbon dosing setpoints. This approach is designed to reduce N₂O production while maintaining reliable treatment performance.
Optimizing Aeration and Energy Performance
Ventura Control AI also combines ammonia-based aeration control with Model Predictive Control (MPC) to continuously optimize dissolved oxygen requirements according to actual plant loading.
By determining the DO and airflow required to meet treatment objectives in real time, the platform can help avoid unnecessary aeration while maintaining process stability. This provides an important opportunity to improve energy performance, as aeration is one of the largest energy demands at many wastewater treatment facilities.
“This project represents exactly where we see the future of wastewater process control heading,” said Steven Kestel, Director of Instrumentation & Controls at APG-Neuros. “The objective is no longer simply to hold a process variable at a fixed setpoint. With Ventura Control AI, we can use real-time process data and predictive control to continuously determine how the treatment process should operate based on current conditions.”
From Site Assessment to Optimization
The project has now entered the engineering and site-assessment phase. APG-Neuros will evaluate the process configuration, instrumentation, existing control systems and operational requirements at each of the nine facilities before progressing through implementation, commissioning and optimization.
Ventura Control AI is designed to integrate with existing wastewater treatment infrastructure and major industrial automation platforms. Its modular architecture supports a range of advanced process control applications, including aeration and ammonia control, nitrous oxide reduction, nitrate removal, solids retention and waste activated sludge management, digester optimization and dewatering optimization.
The contract further expands APG-Neuros’ role in advanced wastewater process optimization and reflects the company’s broader approach to combining high-efficiency aeration, wastewater process engineering, instrumentation and controls, and predictive technology to help utilities improve efficiency, reduce emissions and strengthen treatment performance.
