Systems and methods for determining sludge levels in wastewater reservoirs

A sludge level detection system for determining a sludge level in a wastewater reservoir, the system comprising:

• a vehicle and a sludge level detection tool suspended from the vehicle, the vehicle operable to lower the sludge level detection tool through fluid contained in the wastewater reservoir and into sludge located below a surface of the wastewater reservoir and raise the sludge level detection tool out of the wastewater reservoir,
• the sludge level detection tool comprising:
• a longitudinally extending gauge extending from a proximal end located toward the vehicle and a distal end located away from the vehicle, at least a portion of the gauge at the distal end is hollow to allow a volume of the fluid and a volume of the sludge from within the wastewater reservoir to enter the gauge when the sludge level detection tool is lowered into the wastewater reservoir, wherein the gauge further comprises a port extending between an outer surface of the gauge and a cavity defined by the hollow portion of the gauge to vent air from the cavity during lowering of the sludge level detection tool into the wastewater reservoir;
• and
• an analyzer connected to the gauge for analyzing the volume of the fluid and the volume of the sludge within the gauge, wherein the analyzer is configured to determine the sludge level of the sludge within the wastewater reservoir by analyzing the volume of the sludge within the gauge.

A method for determining a sludge level in a wastewater reservoir, the method comprising:

• positioning, using a drone, a sludge level detection tool at a measurement site above the wastewater reservoir, wherein the sludge level detection tool comprises a longitudinally extending gauge extending from a proximal end located toward the drone and a distal end located away from the drone, and wherein at least a portion of the gauge at the distal end is hollow;
• lowering the sludge level detection tool through fluid contained in the wastewater reservoir and into sludge located below a surface of the wastewater reservoir while the sludge level detection tool is positioned at the measurement site suspended from the drone whereby the hollow portion of the gauge allows a volume of the fluid and a volume of the sludge from within the wastewater reservoir to enter the gauge;
• determining, using at least one sludge detection sensor, that the sludge level detection tool has reached a bottom of the wastewater reservoir;
• and
• visually determining the sludge level of the sludge within the wastewater reservoir by analyzing the volume of the sludge within the gauge using graduated markings on the sludge level detection tool.