Water treatment apparatus, program, method and system

Abstract

For water treatment equipment used by small-scale users to purify water, the impact of flooding should be minimized. [Solution] The water treatment device of this embodiment comprises a drainage adjustment tank, a sensor installed outside the drainage adjustment tank below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and which detects the presence or absence of water, and a control unit that stops the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the sensor detects water.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water treatment apparatus, a program, a method, and a system. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a pretreatment agent adding apparatus installed in a water treatment apparatus for purifying groundwater or river water. In Patent Literature 1, in order to take action before the quality of raw water deteriorates due to precipitation or absence of precipitation, a precipitation detection means (such as a rain gauge) for detecting the presence or absence of precipitation is provided. When the precipitation detection means detects the start of precipitation, a switching means switches the addition operation of an automatic pretreatment agent adding means, and adds a pretreatment agent (such as a flocculant) before water quality deteriorates. This prevents treated water that does not meet water quality standards from flowing out to the downstream stage of the water treatment apparatus. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-154034 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Patent Literature 1 describes a water treatment apparatus for purifying groundwater or river water, but does not describe treatment for a water treatment apparatus that purifies water used by small-scale objects when, for example, flood damage occurs.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress the influence of flood damage on a water treatment apparatus that purifies water used by small-scale objects. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] The water treatment device of this embodiment includes a drainage adjustment tank, a sensor installed outside the drainage adjustment tank below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and which detects the presence or absence of water, and a control unit that stops the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the sensor detects water. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, water treatment equipment used to purify water used by small-scale users can mitigate the effects of flooding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the water treatment device 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 50. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a driving mode setting table. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates an example of how the water treatment device 1 switches operating modes based on the results of sensor output. [Figure 5] This is an example of a display screen that appears when the water treatment device 1 detects a flood and switches to the second operating mode (disaster response operating mode). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings illustrating the embodiments, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted. The following embodiments are not intended to unduly limit the content of this disclosure as described in the claims. Not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of this disclosure. Also, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a strict illustration.

[0010] Furthermore, in the following description, "processor" refers to one or more processors. A processor may be expressed, for example, as processing circuitry. At least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may be other types of processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). At least one processor may be single-core or multi-core. Also, at least one processor may be a general-purpose processor or a purpose-specific processor.

[0011] Furthermore, at least one processor may be a broad-sense processor, such as a hardware circuit that performs some or all of the processing (e.g., an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)).

[0012] Furthermore, in the following explanation, we may use expressions such as "xxx table" to describe information that yields an output for a given input. This information can be data with any structure, or it can be a learning model such as a neural network that generates an output for a given input. Therefore, "xxx table" can be referred to as "xxx information."

[0013] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the structure of each table is just an example; one table may be divided into two or more tables, or all or part of two or more tables may be a single table.

[0014] The program may be pre-installed on the information processing device described below, or, for example, the information processing device may be on a readable (e.g., non-temporary) recording medium and the program may be installed on the information processing device. Alternatively, the program may be sent from a program distribution server to the information processing device and installed there. Furthermore, in the following description, two or more programs may be implemented as a single program, or one program may be implemented as two or more programs.

[0015] Furthermore, while various types of identification information are used in the following description, the identification information only needs to be information that indicates a predetermined object, and the specific data is not limited to the embodiments. The identification information may be an identification number, or an identifier that includes letters or symbols.

[0016] <1. Overview> The water treatment system purifies water used in small-scale applications such as homes, making it reusable, for example. The water treatment system monitors the presence of water using sensors installed at least below the opening of the wastewater adjustment tank. When the water treatment system detects water using the sensors, it determines that a flood has occurred and switches the operating mode from normal to disaster mode. In disaster mode, the water treatment system stops the supply of water from the wastewater adjustment tank to the downstream stage, physically blocking the spread of contaminated water. In disaster mode, the water treatment system also stops the supply of water from outside the unit. In disaster mode, the water treatment system also stops the supply of water to the outside of the unit. In disaster mode, the water treatment system accelerates the wastewater treatment process that was present inside the unit before the water supply was stopped to quickly secure treated water. In disaster mode, the water treatment system also performs enhanced disinfection treatment, such as increasing the amount of disinfectant added. This makes it possible to secure hygienic water for daily life while protecting the core functions of the unit even during a flood.

[0017] <2. Configuration of the water treatment equipment> The configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1. The water treatment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that purifies water used in small-scale objects and enables the purified water to be circulated and reused. The small-scale objects refer to, for example, residential facilities such as general houses, apartment buildings, vacation homes, and mountain huts, or buildings such as office buildings, commercial facilities, and public facilities, and further include mobile objects such as temporary housing, mobile houses, ships, and vehicles. The small-scale objects may also include, for example, outdoor event venues, construction sites, evacuation shelters in disasters, and the like. The water treatment apparatus 1 can, for example, treat domestic wastewater discharged from these objects (e.g., toilet wastewater, bath water, laundry wastewater, kitchen wastewater, etc.), and supply the treated water again as domestic water (e.g., toilet flushing water, bath water, water for laundry, etc.) or as drinking water.

[0018] The water treatment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a stand-alone apparatus that operates independently. In the stand-alone configuration, the water treatment apparatus 1 incorporates a sensor 60 and a control unit 50, which will be described later, and autonomously performs water treatment operations and switches operation modes without requiring external commands. This configuration is effective in places where the communication environment is unstable or when independent operation is required.

[0019] Next, the configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The water treatment apparatus 1 is an apparatus provided with a series of treatment mechanisms for purifying wastewater discharged from small-scale objects. The water treatment apparatus 1 mainly includes a wastewater adjustment tank 10, a biological treatment tank 20, a treated water storage tank 30, a sensor 60, and a control unit 50. In addition to these main components, the water treatment apparatus 1 may appropriately include a filter for filtering water, a pump for transferring water between tanks, a valve for switching water flow paths, a chemical addition unit for adjusting water quality, and a display unit and a notification unit for informing the outside of the state of the apparatus, etc. Each of these components is mutually connected via pipes and signal lines, and functions as an integrated unit.

[0020] Hereinafter, the functions and configurations of each element constituting the water treatment apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[0021] The drainage adjustment tank 10 is a tank for initially receiving and temporarily storing drainage discharged from small-scale targets such as houses. The drainage adjustment tank 10 has a function as a buffer that equalizes fluctuations in the volume and water quality of inflowing drainage, and supplies a stable amount of drainage to subsequent treatment processes. The drainage adjustment tank 10 is normally arranged at the most upstream side where drainage flows in, inside the housing of the water treatment device 1. The drainage adjustment tank 10 has an opening for receiving drainage from the outside. Further, a stirrer for stirring to homogenize the stored drainage may be provided inside the drainage adjustment tank 10. The stirrer may be substituted by a blower that continuously or intermittently sends air into the drainage adjustment tank 10.

[0022] The biological treatment tank 20 is arranged downstream of the drainage adjustment tank 10, and decomposes organic compounds contained in the drainage discharged from the drainage adjustment tank 10 using microorganisms. Further, in the biological treatment tank 20, the drainage discharged from the drainage adjustment tank 10 is decomposed.

[0023] For example, a supply unit may be provided in the biological treatment tank 20. The supply unit supplies a hydrogen donor to the biological treatment tank at timing based on, for example, control by a control unit 50. The hydrogen donor is a substance that donates hydrogen to other substances in the biological treatment tank 20 to reduce them, and is itself dehydrogenated and oxidized. The hydrogen donor may be, for example, alcohols including polyhydric alcohols in addition to methanol, ethanol and the like, may be saccharides such as glucose, or may be organic substances such as enzymes. For example, a microorganism carrier may be provided in the biological treatment tank 20.

[0024] Although Figure 1 shows the case where the biological treatment tank 20 is formed as a single tank, the configuration of the biological treatment tank 20 is not limited to this. The biological treatment tank 20 may not be a single tank, but may include an anaerobic tank and an aerobic tank. The anaerobic tank is located upstream of the aerobic tank 22. Facultative anaerobic bacteria are present in the mixed liquid in the anaerobic tank. The denitrification process is mainly carried out in the anaerobic tank. Aerobic bacteria are present in the mixed liquid in the aerobic tank. The nitrification process is mainly carried out in the aerobic tank. Furthermore, the biological treatment tank 20 can be any tank that uses microorganisms to decompose pollutants, and the specific treatment method (activated sludge method, rotating disk method, contact oxidation method, etc.) is not specified.

[0025] The filter has a filtration function for physically separating and removing microorganisms and fine suspended solids from the water treated in the biological treatment tank 20, etc. The filter is placed, for example, between the biological treatment tank 20 and the downstream treated water storage tank 30. Various types of membranes and filter media may be used as the filter. For example, microfiltration membranes (MF), ultrafiltration membranes (UF), nanofiltration membranes (NF), or reverse osmosis membranes (RO) can be used as filters. Alternatively, activated carbon filters, ion exchange membranes, electrodialysis membranes, ceramic filters, or wound filters may be used as filters. These filters may be used individually, or multiple types may be combined to perform multi-stage filtration.

[0026] The treated water storage tank 30 is a tank for storing treated water that has been purified through a series of treatment processes, including the biological treatment tank 20 and filters. The water stored in the treated water storage tank 30 is supplied to consumers via pumps or the like for reuse as toilet flushing water, other domestic water, or drinking water. The treated water storage tank 30 may be equipped with functions to ultimately adjust the quality of the stored treated water and ensure its safety. For example, the treated water storage tank 30 may be provided with a disinfectant addition section for adding disinfectants such as chlorine-based disinfectants, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, or a sterilization section using ultraviolet light or the like. The amount of disinfectant added in this disinfectant addition section is controlled by a control unit 50, which will be described later. The treated water storage tank 30 is also equipped with a water level sensor for detecting the water level and is used to manage the amount of water stored.

[0027] Sensor 60 is a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the external environment of the water treatment device 1, particularly the occurrence of flooding due to flooding. Sensor 60 has the function of outputting its detection signal to the control unit 50. Sensor 60 is installed at the bottom of the housing of the water treatment device 1, preferably near the ground surface of the water treatment device 1 and in a position unaffected by rainwater or puddles, specifically at least below openings such as the drainage inlet of the drainage adjustment tank 10, and in a position where it does not come into contact with the treated water. In other words, sensor 60 is installed in a position where it can detect a rise in water level caused by flooding. Also, sensor 60 is installed above the installation surface of the water treatment device 1 and below the position where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank 10. Sensor 60 is installed, for example, on the outside of the drainage adjustment tank 10. It does not matter whether it is inside or outside the housing of the water treatment device 1, but considering that it is not affected by wind, rain, sand, dust, etc., it is preferable to install it inside the housing of the water treatment device 1.

[0028] The sensor 60 is installed at a predetermined location in the water treatment device 1. Specifically, for example, the sensor 60 is installed at a height that does not detect puddles that form on the ground during normal rainfall. Alternatively, for example, the sensor 60 is installed at a height that does not detect minor water leaks inside the device. Alternatively, for example, the sensor 60 is installed at a height that can detect abnormal water level rises caused by water damage such as floods or torrential rain. For example, this predetermined height is set to be higher than the height of the rim of a leak pan that may be installed in the water treatment device 1 as a leak prevention measure. This makes it possible to distinguish between normal water leaks and water damage. Alternatively, the water level that cannot be reached under normal weather conditions may be calculated based on past rainfall data or the topography of the installation site, and the sensor 60 may be installed at that height.

[0029] Multiple types of sensors can be used as sensor 60. For example, an electrical conductivity sensor that measures the electrical conductivity (EC) of water may be used as sensor 60. If the incoming water is muddy or sewage, its electrical conductivity will be different from that of normal rainwater, and by detecting this difference, the occurrence of flooding can be determined. Alternatively, for example, a pH meter that measures the pH of water may be used as sensor 60. Another option is a float switch that mechanically or electrically detects the up-and-down movement of a float floating on water. Furthermore, any known liquid detection sensor can be applied, such as a capacitive water level sensor that detects changes in capacitance, or an ultrasonic water level sensor that utilizes the reflection of ultrasonic waves.

[0030] The control unit 50 is an electronic unit that functions as the brain that comprehensively controls the operation of the entire water treatment device 1. Typically, the control unit 50 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The ROM stores a program for controlling the water treatment device 1 and various setting data, and the CPU executes this program to realize various functions as described later. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 50. Functionally, the control unit 50 can be understood as including multiple functional blocks such as an operation reception unit 51, a transmission / reception unit 52, a presentation control unit 53, and a water treatment control unit 54.

[0031] The operation reception unit 51 has, for example, an interface function for receiving operation input from the user. For example, the operation reception unit 51 receives input from a physical button or touch panel provided on the housing of the water treatment device 1.

[0032] The transmitting / receiving unit 52 has, for example, a communication interface function for communicating with an external device by wire or wireless. The transmitting / receiving unit 52 also receives, for example, a detection signal output from the sensor 60.

[0033] The display control unit 53 has a control function for visually or audibly displaying the current status of the water treatment device 1 to the user. For example, the display control unit 53 controls the lighting color, flashing pattern, or combination thereof of LED lamps provided on the device's casing. For example, the display control unit 53 can make the LED lamps light up green during normal operation mode and flash red when switching to disaster operation mode, allowing the user to intuitively recognize the occurrence of an abnormal situation. The display control unit 53 also has a function to output warning sounds or voice messages by controlling notification units such as speakers or buzzers. Furthermore, if the water treatment device 1 is equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, the display control unit 53 controls the display of detailed information on the screen, such as the current operation mode, water levels in each tank, remaining amounts of treated water and disinfectant, and error messages.

[0034] The water treatment control unit 54 has the function of controlling the water treatment process of the water treatment apparatus 1. For example, based on information from the water level sensors or water quality sensors of each tank, the water treatment control unit 54 controls the operation and stopping of each pump, the flow rate, the opening and closing of each valve, the operation of the blower, the amount of chemicals added to the chemical addition unit, etc., and manages the series of water treatment processes to proceed appropriately.

[0035] In this embodiment, the water treatment control unit 54 has the function of managing and switching operating modes. The water treatment control unit 54 manages at least two operating modes: a "normal operating mode (first operating mode)" for normal times and a "disaster operating mode (second operating mode)" for when a flood occurs.

[0036] The water treatment control unit 54 has several control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode. These control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode include, for example, a function to stop the transfer of water from the wastewater adjustment tank 10 to the downstream biological treatment tank 20. Specifically, the wastewater adjustment tank 10 is equipped with a transfer pump for pumping and transferring the stored wastewater to the biological treatment tank 20. When switching to the disaster response operation mode, the water treatment control unit 54 controls the operation of this transfer pump to stop. Furthermore, if an on-off valve such as a solenoid valve is provided in the piping connecting the wastewater adjustment tank 10 and the biological treatment tank 20, the water treatment control unit 54 may also control the on-off valve to close (fully close) in addition to stopping the transfer pump. These functions physically block and prevent contaminated water (such as muddy water) that has entered from the outside from spreading to the relatively clean area inside the device, which is the biological treatment tank 20 and beyond, and play a role in preventing an increase in the load on the biological treatment tank 20.

[0037] Furthermore, the control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode include, for example, a function to stop the supply of new water from outside the machine. Specifically, the water treatment device 1 is connected via piping to a rainwater tank, an external tank, or a combination thereof installed outside the machine. This piping is equipped with a water supply valve (solenoid valve, or electric valve, etc.) to control the inflow of water from the outside, a water intake pump for drawing up water, or a combination thereof. The water treatment control unit 54 controls the system to close (fully close) the water supply valve and / or stop the operation of the water intake pump when switching to the disaster response operation mode. This function aims to physically block external water (such as muddy water) that may be contaminated by flooding from flowing into the device.

[0038] Furthermore, the control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode include, for example, a function to stop the supply of treated water to the outside of the machine. Specifically, the water supply path from the treated water storage tank 30 to the customer side (toilet, sprinkler, etc.) is equipped with a water supply pump for supplying treated water and a water supply valve (solenoid valve, etc.) for opening and closing the flow path. The water treatment control unit 54 controls the operation of the water supply pump and / or closes (fully closes) the water supply valve when switching to the disaster response operation mode. This function is intended to avoid the risk of supplying treated water to the customer when the scope of safety is unclear, considering the possibility that the piping around the equipment or the piping on the customer side may be contaminated by flooding.

[0039] Furthermore, the control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode include, for example, a function to speed up the water treatment process. Specifically, it controls the output of pumps (transfer pumps, pressure pumps, etc.) involved in the transfer of water from the biological treatment tank 20 to the treated water storage tank 30, or the flow of water to the filter, to be higher than the normal setting. For example, the water treatment control unit 54 operates pumps that normally have their output reduced to save energy and extend the lifespan of the equipment at maximum output (e.g., 100% output) during a disaster. The purpose of this function is to quickly complete the treatment of wastewater that was already present in the equipment before the transition to the disaster response operation mode, and to secure safe treated water as quickly as possible.

[0040] Furthermore, the control functions for executing the disaster response operation mode include, for example, a function to enhance the water disinfection process. Specifically, to disinfect the treated water storage tank 30, an additive pump for injecting a chlorine-based disinfectant, an ozone generator for supplying ozone, or an electrolytic device for generating hypochlorous acid by electrolysis are provided. When switching to the disaster response operation mode, the water treatment control unit 54 performs controls such as increasing the discharge rate of the additive pump compared to normal, starting or increasing the supply of ozone by operating the ozone generator, or starting or increasing the production of hypochlorous acid by energizing the electrolytic device. This function aims to further enhance the safety of the treated water in case of contamination by contaminants.

[0041] The control unit 50 includes a storage unit for storing programs and data. The storage unit is composed of non-volatile memory such as ROM or flash memory, and volatile memory such as RAM. Various information for defining the operation of the water treatment device 1 is stored in the storage unit. For example, the storage unit holds an operating mode setting table, a sensor threshold table, and a sensor log table.

[0042] The operating mode setting table is a data table that defines the control parameters (control flags) of the device in each operating mode. Figure 3 shows an example of the operating mode setting table. In this table, logical values ​​(TRUE or FALSE) for various control items such as "water transfer control," "water supply control," "water delivery control," "pump output control," and "disinfectant addition amount control" are associated with the "Mode ID" as the key. In this embodiment, "Mode 1" corresponds to the normal operating mode during normal times, and "Mode 2" corresponds to the disaster operating mode during floods. The water treatment control unit 54 refers to the settings in this table and executes control according to the current operating mode.

[0043] Specifically, "Water Transfer Control" indicates permission for water transfer from the wastewater adjustment tank 10 to the biological treatment tank 20. In Mode 1, "TRUE (Transfer Permitted)" is set, and in Mode 2, "FALSE (Transfer Not Permitted)" is set, so the water treatment control unit 54 stops the transfer pump in disaster operation mode (Mode 2). "Water Supply Control" and "Water Delivery Control" indicate whether or not to perform restrictive operations that block the inflow and outflow of water to and from the outside. In Mode 2, these are set to "TRUE (Restriction Execution)", so the water treatment control unit 54 closes the water supply valve and water delivery valve in the event of a disaster, cutting off the physical connection to the outside. "Pump Output Control" indicates whether or not to perform high-output operation to improve the processing speed. In Mode 2, it is set to "TRUE (High Output Execution)", so the water treatment control unit 54 maximizes the pump output in the event of a disaster to speed up the processing. "Disinfectant Addition Amount Control" indicates whether or not to perform an operation that increases the amount of disinfectant. In Mode 2, the setting is "TRUE (increase disinfectant output)," so in the event of a disaster, the water treatment control unit 54 switches to a predetermined emergency increase setting (for example, a fixed output of the maximum amount to be added) to strengthen disinfection.

[0044] The sensor threshold table is a data table that defines thresholds for determining the occurrence of flooding based on the detection values ​​of the sensor 60, in association with predetermined elements. Here, predetermined elements may be, for example, the area where the water treatment device 1 is installed, or the current season. Specifically, for example, the sensor threshold table has individual thresholds set for each area or season, taking into account differences in soil properties for each region, or seasonal fluctuations in rainwater quality (trends in water temperature and impurity concentration). The water treatment control unit 54, for example, refers to this sensor threshold table and reads the thresholds corresponding to the pre-set installation area information or the date and time information (season) from the built-in clock to determine whether or not flooding has occurred. This makes it possible to detect with appropriate sensitivity according to the installation environment and time of year.

[0045] The sensor log table is a data table for recording and accumulating values ​​detected by the sensor 60 in chronological order. This table records at least the date and time information, the values ​​detected by the sensor 60, and the operating mode (mode ID) of the water treatment device 1 at that time, in association with each other. This makes it possible to check, for example, the history of what detection values ​​were measured during past flooding incidents and whether the operating mode was switched appropriately based on those values.

[0046] <3. Operation of the water treatment device> The processing flow of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will now be described. The control unit 50 has at least two operating modes: a first operating mode, which is a normal operating mode, and a second operating mode, which is a flood-response operating mode that is executed in emergencies such as floods, and switches between these operating modes according to the external environment, etc.

[0047] First, the processing when the water treatment device 1 is operating in the first operating mode will be described. Wastewater discharged from small-scale sources, such as general households and small-scale facilities, flows into the wastewater adjustment tank 10 of the water treatment device 1 through piping and is temporarily stored. Wastewater may also be supplied to the water treatment device 1 from small-scale facilities, etc., via a drainage manhole. The drainage manhole is, for example, installed underground. The wastewater adjustment tank 10 is equipped with a water level sensor (not shown), and the control unit 50 monitors the water level in the wastewater adjustment tank 10 based on the signal from this water level sensor. For example, when the water level in the wastewater adjustment tank 10 reaches a predetermined upper limit level, the control unit 50 drives a water supply pump (not shown) to send the wastewater in the wastewater adjustment tank 10 to a subsequent processing step, such as a biological treatment tank 20. The wastewater sent to the biological treatment tank 20 undergoes decomposition treatment by microorganisms, is further filtered by a filter, etc., and then sent to the treated water storage tank 30 as clean treated water for storage. The control unit 50 continues these operations until the water level in the drainage adjustment tank 10 reaches a predetermined lower limit level, or for a predetermined time.

[0048] Next, we will describe the processing flow when a flood occurs and the system switches to the second operating mode. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation when the water treatment device 1 switches operating modes based on the results of the sensor output. The water treatment device 1 is equipped with a sensor 60 for detecting the presence or absence of water, located inside the device housing, specifically at least below the opening of the drainage adjustment tank 10. This sensor 60 is installed, for example, on the lower wall surface of the drainage adjustment tank housed inside the housing of the water treatment device 1 and above the installation surface, or near the foundation where the water treatment device 1 is installed, in a location where flooding or heavy rainfall is likely to occur first.

[0049] The control unit 50 constantly monitors the output signal from the sensor 60 while the water treatment device 1 is in operation (step S11). The sensor 60 may be, for example, an electrical conductivity sensor, in which case, when water comes into contact with the electrodes of the sensor 60, a signal corresponding to the electrical conductivity of the water is output. Under normal circumstances, there is no water around the sensor 60, so the electrical conductivity is extremely low. However, when muddy water or rainwater comes into contact with the sensor 60 due to a flood, the electrical conductivity increases rapidly.

[0050] Sensor 60 may also be a float switch. In this case, when the water level rises to a predetermined height, the float rises and the switch turns on. The control unit 50 monitors the on / off state of this switch. In addition, any sensor capable of detecting the presence of water and changes in its properties may be used as sensor 60, such as a pH sensor or an optical turbidity sensor.

[0051] The control unit 50 determines whether the detection signal from the sensor 60 meets predetermined conditions indicating the occurrence of flooding (step S12). For example, the control unit 50 determines that "flooding has occurred" if the electrical conductivity exceeds a predetermined threshold, the float switch is turned on, or the pH value deviates from the range of normal atmospheric rainwater.

[0052] In response to the determination that "flood has occurred," the control unit 50 immediately executes a process to switch the operating mode of the water treatment device 1 from the first operating mode to the second operating mode (step S13). This mode switching is performed by referring to the operating mode table stored in the memory of the control unit 50 and reading the control parameter group corresponding to the second operating mode.

[0053] When the system switches to the second operating mode, the control unit 50 performs controls to minimize the impact of flooding and ensure safe water supply. First, the control unit 50 stops the transfer of water from the wastewater adjustment tank 10 to the downstream biological treatment tank 20. Specifically, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the transfer pump installed in the wastewater adjustment tank 10. Furthermore, if an on-off valve such as a solenoid valve is installed in the piping connecting the wastewater adjustment tank 10 and the biological treatment tank 20, the control unit 50, in addition to stopping the transfer pump, also controls the on-off valve to close (fully close) it. This physically prevents contaminated water (such as muddy water) that has entered from the outside from spreading to the relatively clean areas inside the system, such as the biological treatment tank 20 and beyond.

[0054] Furthermore, when the system switches to the second operating mode, the control unit 50 controls the system to stop the supply of new water from outside the unit. Specifically, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve (solenoid valve, electric valve, etc.) installed in the piping connected to the rainwater tank or external tank, and / or stops the operation of the water intake pump used to draw up water. This physically prevents external water that may be contaminated by flooding from flowing into the system.

[0055] Furthermore, when the system switches to the second operating mode, the control unit 50 controls the supply of treated water to the outside of the machine. Specifically, the control unit 50 stops the operation of the water supply pumps installed in the water supply path from the treated water storage tank 30 to the customer side (toilets, washbasins, kitchens, baths, washing machines, etc., or sprinklers, etc.), and / or closes the water supply valves (solenoid valves, etc.). This avoids the risk of supplying treated water in an unclear state where safety is not guaranteed, considering the possibility that the piping around the equipment or on the customer side may be contaminated due to flooding, and also avoids the backflow of contaminated water into the treated water storage tank 30 due to pipe cutting.

[0056] On the other hand, when the system switches to the second operating mode, the control unit 50 controls the shutoff of the water supply from outside the machine and the shutoff of the supply of treated water to outside the machine, while simultaneously performing control to speed up the water treatment process in order to quickly complete the treatment of wastewater that was already present in the system before the switch to the second operating mode. Specifically, the control unit 50 increases the output of pumps (transfer pumps, pressure pumps, etc.) involved in the transfer of water from the biological treatment tank 20 to the treated water storage tank 30, or the flow of water to the filter, above the normal setting. For example, the control unit 50 operates pumps that normally have their output reduced to save energy, etc., at maximum output (e.g., 100% output). This ensures that safe treated water is secured as quickly as possible.

[0057] In addition, when the system switches to the second operating mode, the control unit 50 performs control to strengthen the disinfection treatment of the water in order to further enhance the safety of the treated water. Specifically, the control unit 50 increases the discharge rate of the additive pump that injects chlorine-based disinfectant into the treated water storage tank 30 compared to normal. Alternatively, if an ozone generator is provided, it starts or increases the supply of ozone, and if an electrolytic device is provided, it energizes the device to start or increase the production of hypochlorous acid. This ensures a stronger level of safety in case of contamination by contaminants.

[0058] <4. Example of a water treatment device screen> Next, we will explain an example of the display screen shown on the display unit (liquid crystal display, etc.) of the water treatment device 1. Figure 5 is an example of the screen displayed when the water treatment device 1 detects a flood and switches to the second operating mode (disaster operation mode).

[0059] When the operating mode switches to the second operating mode, the display control unit 53 of the control unit 50 switches the display from the normal screen to a screen specifically for disaster situations. At the top of the screen, a message indicating the current operating status is displayed, such as "Disaster operation mode activated (flood detected)". This allows the user to recognize at a glance that the device has detected an abnormality (flood) and has automatically switched to an emergency response system.

[0060] In the center of the screen, a schematic diagram of the current water treatment process control status is displayed. Specifically, symbols such as "×" and text such as "Transfer Stopped" are displayed along the path between the wastewater adjustment tank and the biological treatment tank. This visually communicates to the user that the aforementioned water supply stop control has been executed and the inflow of contaminated water is physically blocked. By seeing this display, the user can confirm that external contamination has been contained and gain a sense of security.

[0061] Along the path from the biological treatment tank to the treated water storage tank, arrows or animations are displayed along with text such as "Treated water production: Accelerating." Additionally, near the disinfectant tank, a message such as "Disinfectant addition amount: Increasing" is displayed. These displays inform the user that the system is not only preventing contamination but also simultaneously working to quickly secure safe water.

[0062] At the bottom of the screen, the remaining levels of resources crucial during a disaster are displayed using indicators (bar graphs, etc.) and numerical values. In the example shown, "treated water remaining," "disinfectant remaining," and "storage energy remaining" are displayed. For "treated water remaining," information such as "70% (sufficient)" is displayed. In a disaster where water outages are expected, information on how much water is still available for daily use is extremely important. Based on this display, users can make decisions such as using the toilet as usual if there is a lot of water remaining, or refraining from using it if there is little.

[0063] The "disinfectant level" displays information including a warning, such as "30% (low level warning)." Disinfectant is essential to ensure the safety of treated water. This display allows the user to understand when disinfectant needs to be replenished. The "storage battery level" displays remaining battery information, such as "80% (sufficient)." In the event of a disaster, if the external power supply is interrupted, the operation of the water treatment device 1 depends on the remaining battery level. This display allows the user to predict the remaining operating time and make decisions to use water systematically or reduce unnecessary power consumption. The display control unit 53 may also enhance user alert by changing the color of the bar on the screen (for example, to red) or sounding an alert when these remaining levels fall below a predetermined threshold.

[0064] <5.Summary> As described above, in the above embodiment, the water treatment device is equipped with a drainage adjustment tank. The sensor is installed below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and detects the presence or absence of water. When the sensor detects water, the control unit stops the supply of water from the drainage adjustment tank to the downstream stage. This makes it possible to physically block the diffusion of mud, sand, and pollutants into the downstream stage of the water treatment device during a flood, either through underground drainage pipes, drainage manholes, or directly from the ground surface. This prevents damage to the water treatment device and protects its core functions.

[0065] Therefore, according to this disclosure, the impact of floods can be mitigated for water treatment equipment used to purify water used by small-scale projects.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a biological treatment tank and a treated water storage tank are provided downstream of the wastewater adjustment tank, and a membrane unit is provided between the biological treatment tank and the treated water storage tank. When the control unit detects water, it stops the supply of water from the wastewater adjustment tank to the biological treatment tank. This makes it possible to prevent contaminated water from flowing into the relatively clean area after the biological treatment tank. In particular, by protecting the microbial ecosystem, which is vulnerable to environmental changes, from mud and harmful substances, it becomes possible to restore functionality quickly after the flood subsides. In addition, the membrane unit, which is an expensive component, can be protected from clogging by mud and solid matter.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sensor is installed at a position higher than the rim of the leak pan, or at a height that does not detect normal puddles caused by rain. This makes it possible to clearly distinguish and detect normal leaks and puddles caused by rainfall from abnormal water level rises (severe flooding) caused by floods. As a result, highly reliable detection is achieved that reliably captures the initial stages of a flood and allows for a rapid response while suppressing false alarms (unnecessary shutdowns).

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit stops the water supply from outside the machine when the sensor detects water. This prevents external water that may be contaminated by flooding (for example, water from a rainwater tank into which muddy water has flowed, or tap water from damaged pipes) from flowing into the device through another route. This prevents the entire system from becoming contaminated despite the inflow from the drainage adjustment tank 10 being blocked, and makes it possible to maintain the cleanliness of the inside of the water treatment device 1.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit stops supplying water to the outside of the machine when the sensor detects water. This makes it possible to avoid the risk of supplying treated water to consumers in an area where the scope of safety is unclear. In other words, even if the water supply pipes are damaged by flooding and debris and muddy water enters through them, it is possible to prevent contaminated water from being supplied to users, thereby preventing risks such as harm to users' health and ensuring safety.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the sensor detects water, the control unit speeds up the water treatment process for wastewater sent from the wastewater adjustment tank before the water supply is stopped. This allows for the rapid completion of the treatment of wastewater already present in the device, making it possible to secure safe treated water as quickly as possible. In particular, during disasters when water outages are expected, the purification process can be completed before the water being treated becomes contaminated, making it possible to secure water for daily use and emergency water supply during a disaster.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, speeding up the water treatment process involves increasing the pump output while power is supplied, thereby increasing the processing volume per unit time, quickly recovering as much water as possible into the treated water storage tank 30, and ensuring the availability of treated water even in the event of a power outage.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the sensor detects water, the control unit enhances the disinfection of the wastewater sent from the wastewater adjustment tank before stopping the water supply. This makes it possible to further enhance the safety of the treated water in case of contamination by contaminants. In particular, it is possible to maintain a high level of hygiene in situations where the risk of pathogenic bacteria entering from unexpected routes is high, or when the secured water is stored for a long period of time.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, enhanced disinfection includes increasing the amount of disinfectant added to the treated water, increasing the supply of ozone, generating chlorine by electrolysis, or any combination thereof. This makes it possible to reliably ensure the safety of water quality during disasters using specific means. For example, by increasing the amount of chemical to raise the residual chlorine concentration, by using the strong oxidizing power of ozone to deal with chlorine-resistant bacteria, or by autonomously generating disinfectant by electrolysis, it is possible to obtain a rapid and powerful disinfection effect. In addition, by autonomously determining the disinfection method that can suppress power consumption the most from among multiple means (or by having a separate mode that performs such control), it is possible to obtain a rapid and appropriate disinfection effect even in situations where power resources are limited.

[0074] <6. Variation> In the above embodiment, the case was described in which multiple control functions are all executed in the second operating mode (disaster operation mode), such as stopping the water supply from the wastewater adjustment tank 10, stopping the water supply from outside the machine, stopping the water supply to outside the machine, speeding up the water treatment process, and strengthening disinfection. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited thereto. The control functions executed in the second operating mode may be any one of the functions described above, or any combination of two or more. For example, the control unit 50 may only stop the water supply from the wastewater adjustment tank 10, or it may execute a combination of stopping the water supply and strengthening disinfection. Depending on the state of the amount of water stored in each tank of the water treatment device 1 at the time of disaster, it is possible to appropriately select and implement the functions and treatment modes that should be prioritized. Therefore, for example, if the treated water storage tank 30 is full of treated water at the time of disaster, the inflow and outflow to the treated water storage tank 30 may be completely closed to secure treated water.

[0075] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case where the water treatment device 1 is a standalone device that makes autonomous decisions based on the detection results of the sensor 60. However, the water treatment device 1 may also be configured as a client / server type system that cooperates with an external server connected via a network. Specifically, the system includes a management server that can communicate with the water treatment device 1. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 52 connects via a network to the management server, a user terminal, a local government's disaster information provision server, or a combination of at least one of these, and transmits and receives various types of information. For example, the water treatment device 1 transmits information detected by the sensor 60 to the management server via the transmitting / receiving unit 52. The management server determines the occurrence of flooding based on the received sensor information and remotely instructs the water treatment device 1 to switch to the second operating mode. The control unit 50 of the water treatment device 1 receives this instruction and switches the operating mode. The operation reception unit 51 also has the function of receiving remote operation instructions (for example, instructions to manually switch to disaster mode) transmitted from the user terminal via the transmitting / receiving unit 52. Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving unit 52 may transmit the operating status of the water treatment device 1, sensor logs, and alert information to an external server (such as a management server or a service provider server), a user terminal, or a combination thereof.

[0076] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case in which the mode is switched based on the detection result of the sensor 60 provided by the water treatment device 1 itself. However, the control unit 50 may also switch modes based on information from an external public information source. Specifically, the water treatment device 1 receives disaster information (for example, flood warnings, evacuation advisories, river flood information, etc.) transmitted from disaster monitoring servers operated by local governments or the Japan Meteorological Agency via a network. When the control unit 50 receives this disaster information, it performs control to switch to a predetermined operating mode (second operating mode), regardless of whether or not the sensor 60 has detected anything, or in combination with the detection result of the sensor 60. This makes it possible to proactively switch to a defensive posture before actual flooding begins.

[0077] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case in which the mode is automatically switched by sensor detection or the like. However, the configuration may also allow the user to manually switch the mode based on their judgment. Specifically, the water treatment device 1 (or server) sends a flood detection alert notification to a user terminal such as a smartphone. The user who receives the notification, or who has confirmed the necessary information in the news or the like, inputs a command to switch to the second operating mode via the user terminal or the device's operation panel. The control unit 50 receives this input command from the user and switches the operating mode.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which only a filter (membrane unit) is placed between the biological treatment tank 20 and the treated water storage tank 30 was described as an example. However, components other than filters may be included between the biological treatment tank 20 and the treated water storage tank 30. For example, an ozone reaction tank, a pre-activated carbon filter, an intermediate tank, a reverse osmosis membrane unit (RO membrane unit), a post-activated carbon filter, an ultraviolet sterilization device, etc., may be placed between the biological treatment tank 20 and the treated water storage tank 30. In this case, the control unit 50 may control the output of the transfer pump and the pressure pump between each of these units to speed up the water treatment process in the second operating mode. In addition, to enhance disinfection, the control unit may control the output of the ultraviolet sterilization device or increase the amount of ozone supplied to the ozone reaction tank.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the screen display described the case where the status is indicated by icons or lamps. However, more specific text messages may also be displayed. For example, when transitioning to the second operating mode, the display control unit 53 displays an alert message on the display such as "Flood has been detected. The operating mode will be switched to 'Disaster Operation Mode'." This makes it possible to clearly communicate the change in status of the water treatment device 1 to the user as linguistic information.

[0080] Furthermore, the above embodiment described the case in which control is performed upon detection of flooding. However, similar control may be performed upon detection of disasters or emergencies other than flooding. Specifically, the sensor 60 may include a vibration sensor for detecting earthquake tremors, a temperature sensor for detecting heat from fire or low temperatures that pose a risk of freezing, a sound sensor for detecting abnormal frequencies (for example, sounds containing predetermined frequency components such as explosions, bangs, or the sound of breaking glass), or at least two of these combinations. When these sensors detect a predetermined event (earthquake, fire, sub-zero temperatures, explosion, etc.), the control unit 50 switches to a second operating mode (in this case, which can be read as emergency mode or crisis mode) and executes control operations such as stopping water supply or securing water storage (accelerating the process). This makes it possible to protect the water treatment equipment and secure safe water in various emergencies, not just flooding.

[0081] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case where there are two operating modes: a first operating mode for normal use and a second operating mode for use during disasters. However, the operating modes are not limited to these two. For example, a third operating mode may be provided (e.g., a maintenance mode, a power saving mode for long-term absence, or a pre-warning mode that operates in the early stages of a disaster). Also, the second operating mode may be divided into multiple stages (e.g., a caution mode, a warning mode, an emergency stop mode, etc.) depending on the urgency and the detection level of the sensor 60. The control unit 50 selects and executes the optimal mode from among these multiple modes depending on the situation.

[0082] Furthermore, the water treatment device 1 of the above embodiment may be configured to transmit and store data such as operation logs to an external management server, even though it is a standalone type that autonomously makes decisions regarding switching operating modes. Specifically, when the control unit 50 detects an input operation by the user to the operation reception unit 51 (for example, a manual instruction to switch operating modes, a change in setting values, a confirmation operation for an alert notification, etc.), it records the details of the operation as an operation log along with date and time information. The transmitting and receiving unit 52 transmits this operation log to the management server via the network periodically or each time an operation is performed. The management server stores the received operation logs in a database such as a storage unit. This allows the management server to retrospectively check and analyze the user's operation history and usage status while maintaining the advantages of a standalone type water treatment device 1 that autonomously controls itself (such as resilience in the event of communication interruption).

[0083] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case in which control such as enhanced disinfection and increased pump speed is performed in disaster operation mode. However, it is conceivable that there may be cases where the amount of electricity that can be used is limited due to the prolonged nature of the disaster, or where it is difficult to replenish the chemicals and the treated water cannot be sufficiently disinfected. In such cases, the control unit 50 may determine from the water quality of the treated water detected by a water quality sensor, etc., and have the display control unit 53 display information on the display unit, etc., indicating the limited uses that are permissible with that water quality (for example, it can be used for toilet flushing, but is unsuitable for hand washing). The control unit 50 may also have the display control unit 53 display the amount of remaining water that can be used for limited uses on the display unit, etc. At this time, the control unit 50 may autonomously notify the user of the display of the recovery mode (for example, resumption of normal operation mode). This makes it possible to encourage the user to use water appropriately even under resource-limited circumstances.

[0084] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case in which the water treatment process is uniformly accelerated or water supply is stopped upon transitioning to the disaster operation mode. However, the control unit 50 may switch the control to be executed according to the balance of the water volume stored in each tank. Specifically, the control unit 50 compares the water volume in the biological treatment tank 20 and the water volume in the treated water storage tank 30 using a water level sensor or the like, and determines the optimal operation for securing treated water.

[0085] For example, if the volume of water in the biological treatment tank 20 is greater than the volume of water in the treated water storage tank 30 (volume of water in biological treatment tank 20 > volume of water in treated water storage tank 30), the control unit 50 closes the inflow path to the biological treatment tank 20 (to the wastewater adjustment tank side) and the outflow path to the treated water storage tank 30 (to the consumer side), and also accelerates the membrane filtration treatment from the biological treatment tank 20 (increases the pump output). This is because a large amount of unfiltered water that has undergone some biological treatment remains in the biological treatment tank 20, while the amount of treated water available is relatively small. Therefore, priority is given to purifying the remaining unfiltered water in the biological treatment tank 20 as quickly as possible to secure usable treated water.

[0086] On the other hand, if the amount of water in the biological treatment tank 20 is less than the amount of water in the treated water storage tank 30 (amount of water in the biological treatment tank 20 < amount of water in the treated water storage tank 30), the control unit 50 controls the closing of the inflow path (on the side of the biological treatment tank 20) ​​and outflow path (on the consumer side) of the treated water storage tank 30. This is because the control unit determines that a relatively large amount of treated water has already been secured, and prioritizes isolating and protecting the secured treated water, whose water quality is guaranteed, from external contamination and backflow rather than producing new water.

[0087] Note that Figure 1 is merely an example, and the water treatment device 1 may have other configurations. For example, the wastewater adjustment tank 10, the biological treatment tank 20, and the treated water storage tank 30 may be included in a single module that carries out a series of processes. Also, at least some of the pumps in the water treatment device 1 are not essential, and the water may be transported using other physical phenomena such as gravity, overflow, or the siphon principle. Furthermore, the biological treatment tank 20 may not be included.

[0088] In addition, the computer may be equipped with interfaces for connecting to input devices (e.g., buttons, touch panels) for receiving user input and output devices (e.g., LED lamps, liquid crystal displays, speakers) for displaying information. The functions of the operation reception unit 51 and the display control unit 53 are realized through these interfaces.

[0089] In the embodiments described above, the cases in which the units and means are implemented by a processor have been explained, but the invention is not limited thereto. The units and means may be any hardware known to perform the operation.

[0090] Although several embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, these embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, configurations and processes in one embodiment may be combined with configurations and processes in another embodiment, or a modification of one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0091] (Note) The details described in each of the above embodiments are noted below.

[0092] (Note 1) A water treatment device comprising a drainage adjustment tank, a sensor installed outside the drainage adjustment tank below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and detecting the presence or absence of water, and a control unit that stops the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the sensor detects water. (Note 2) A water treatment apparatus as described in Appendix 1, comprising a biological treatment tank and a treated water storage tank downstream of a wastewater adjustment tank, a membrane unit between the biological treatment tank and the treated water storage tank, and a control unit that stops the supply of water from the wastewater adjustment tank to the biological treatment tank when a sensor detects water. (Note 3) The water treatment device described in (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2) is installed with the sensor at a height higher than the rim of the leak pan, or at a height that does not detect normal puddles caused by rain. (Note 4) The control unit is a water treatment device as described in any of the notes (1) to (3), which stops the supply of water from outside the machine when the sensor detects water. (Note 5) The control unit stops the supply of water to the outside of the machine when the sensor detects water, as described in any of the water treatment devices described in (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4). (Note 6) The control unit accelerates the water treatment process for wastewater sent from the wastewater adjustment tank before the water supply is stopped, when the sensor detects water, as described in any of the appendices 1 to 5. (Note 7) The water treatment apparatus described in Appendix 6 includes increasing the output of the pump to speed up the water treatment process. (Note 8) The control unit, when it detects water, enhances the disinfection of wastewater supplied from the drainage adjustment tank before stopping the water supply, as described in any of the appendices 1 to 7. (Note 9) Enhanced disinfection includes increasing the amount of disinfectant added to the treated water, increasing the supply of ozone, generating chlorine by electrolysis, or any combination thereof (as described in Appendix 8). (Note 10) A program executed by the processor of a water treatment device comprising a drainage adjustment tank and a sensor installed below a position where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and which detects the presence or absence of water, the program causes the processor to execute a step of stopping the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the sensor detects water. (Note 11) A method performed by a processor of a water treatment device comprising a drainage adjustment tank and a sensor installed below a position where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and which detects the presence or absence of water, wherein when the sensor detects water, the processor performs the step of stopping the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank. (Note 12) A system comprising a drainage adjustment tank, a sensor installed below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank to detect the presence or absence of water, and a control means that stops the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the sensor detects water. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 1…Water treatment equipment 10…Drainage adjustment tank 20... Biological treatment tank 30…Treated water storage tank 50…Control Unit 51... Operation reception unit 52... Transmitter / Receiver 53…Display Control Unit 54...Water Treatment Control Unit 60...Sensor

Claims

1. Drainage adjustment tank and A liquid detection sensor is installed outside the drainage adjustment tank below the point where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank, When the liquid detection sensor detects water, the control unit stops the water supply from the drainage adjustment tank downstream. A water treatment device equipped with the following features.

2. The wastewater adjustment tank is further downstream, and at least a treated water storage tank is provided. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops supplying water downstream from the treated water storage tank when the liquid detection sensor detects water.

3. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops supplying water from outside the machine when the liquid detection sensor detects water.

4. A program executed by the processor of a water treatment apparatus comprising a drainage adjustment tank and a liquid detection sensor installed below a position where water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and which detects the presence or absence of water, wherein the program is executed by the processor, A program that, when the liquid detection sensor detects water, executes a step to stop the water supply from the drainage adjustment tank downstream.

5. A method implemented by a processor of a water treatment device comprising a drainage adjustment tank and a liquid detection sensor installed below a position from which water can flow into the drainage adjustment tank and for detecting the presence or absence of water, A method for stopping the supply of water downstream from the drainage adjustment tank when the liquid detection sensor detects water.

6. Drainage adjustment tank and A liquid detection sensor is installed below the point where water can flow into the aforementioned drainage adjustment tank, and detects the presence or absence of water. When the liquid detection sensor detects water, a control means is provided to stop the water supply from the drainage adjustment tank downstream. A system equipped with these features.

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