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MCERTS Flow Meter: What Wastewater Operators Need to Know
Quick Answer
MCERTS is the UK Environment Agency’s certification scheme for monitoring equipment. A flow meter with an MCERTS certificate proves it meets strict uncertainty requirements for self-monitoring of effluent flow. For wastewater discharge compliance, an MCERTS-certified electromagnetic flow meter is the default choice among water utilities and industrial sites across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
In most cases, you need a Class 2 MCERTS certificate for wastewater flow measurement. Silver Automation Instruments supplies factory-calibrated electromagnetic flow meters that pass the MCERTS performance tests under OIML R49 and ISO 20456. Before you order, ask for the certificate number, uncertainty band, and installation constraints. This matters a lot when your environmental permit references MCERTS directly.
What MCERTS Actually Covers for Wastewater Flow Meters
MCERTS stands for Monitoring Certification Scheme. It was developed by the Environment Agency in England and Wales. The scheme defines performance standards for flow meters used in effluent flow monitoring and self-monitoring of flow to water quality discharge permits. In simple words, if your site discharges treated wastewater to a river, estuary, or the sea, you may be legally required to use an MCERTS-certified flow meter.
We see this requirement frequently in the food and beverage sector, chemical plants, and municipal wastewater treatment works. A customer of ours in Scotland, a distillery, needed an MCERTS electromagnetic flow meter on their final effluent line. Their permit stated “MCERTS Class 2 or better.” That single sentence changed their procurement spec from a general industrial magmeter to a certified instrument with full traceability.
The MCERTS scheme splits flow meters into classes. Class 1 is tighter (typically ±1% of measured value or better). Class 2 is wider but still well-defined (often ±3% to ±5% depending on flow range). Most wastewater sites operate Class 2 meters because the real-world installation constraints, like limited straight pipe, make Class 1 difficult and unnecessary. The uncertainty requirements are tied to the actual field installation, not just a lab calibration on a perfect test rig. This is a key detail missed in many generic articles.
Why an MCERTS Electromagnetic Flow Meter Is the First Choice
Electromagnetic flow meters dominate the MCERTS-certified list for good reasons. They have no moving parts. They handle dirty water, sludge, and conductive liquids with suspended solids. You can get them in sizes from DN10 up to DN2000. The measurement principle is independent of density, viscosity, temperature, and pressure changes. That stability is what regulatory bodies like to see.
Here is the thing. Ultrasonic flow meters (transit-time) can also get MCERTS certification. But in practice, many wastewater streams have aeration bubbles or high solid loads that scatter the ultrasonic signal. Then the meter drops out or gives erratic readings. We have seen this on customer sites many times. An electromagnetic flow meter, especially one with a PTFE liner and Hastelloy electrodes, just keeps working. The liner choice matters. For abrasive sludge, polyurethane liner extends life. For grease or oily wastewater, PTFE resists fouling.
So when a consultant in Qatar asked us for an MCERTS flow meter for a treated sewage effluent outfall, we proposed a DN300 electromagnetic flow meter, remote mount, with IP68 sensor rating for occasional submergence in the valve chamber. The meter body was calibrated at our factory to match the expected flow range of 50 to 400 m³/h. The MCERTS certificate refers to the complete instrument model and size, not just the sensor. You cannot mix and match transmitters and expect the certificate to remain valid.
Key Performance Metrics You Need to Check on the Certificate
When you receive an MCERTS certificate from a manufacturer, look for these numbers. The flow rate range over which the uncertainty is claimed. Many meters lose Class 2 accuracy below a certain velocity, typically below 0.3 m/s or 0.5 m/s. The certificate will state the lower and upper flow limits in m³/h for each pipe size. The uncertainty band is expressed as a percentage of measured value or as a percentage of full scale. For electromagnetic flow meters, ±1% of reading plus ±2 mm/s zero stability is a typical factory spec. But the MCERTS test result might show slightly higher values due to installation effects.
Also check the minimum upstream and downstream straight pipe requirements. A meter certified with 5D upstream and 2D downstream straight pipe means you must replicate that in your plant. If your site has less straight pipe, th
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One more practical point. MCERTS is a UK scheme, but its recognition extends far beyond Britain. We see wastewater tenders in Oman, Kenya, Nigeria, Vietnam, and the Philippines that explicitly ask for MCERTS or an equivalent local standard. In such cases, a valid MCERTS certificate often satisfies the engineer’s requirement without additional testing. For Middle East projects, this can shorten the approval process by weeks.
Installation Rules That Keep the MCERTS Meter Valid
An MCERTS certificate means nothing if you install the meter wrong. The most common mistake we correct is mounting the sensor in a partially filled pipe. Electromagnetic flow meters need a full pipe at all times. For gravity-fed effluent lines, this often means installing the meter in a U-bend section or a controlled downstream weir that maintains back pressure. If the pipe runs half-empty, the meter will over-read or fluctuate wildly.
Grounding is another headache. Wastewater pipes are often plastic (PVC, HDPE) or cement-lined. The electromagnetic flow meter needs a good ground reference to reject electrical noise from nearby pumps or variable frequency drives. We supply meters with built-in grounding electrodes or separate grounding rings made of the same material as the electrodes. Without proper grounding, you can see a noisy signal and the meter output will jump around ±20%.
Temperature and environment also matter. In a wastewater treatment plant in Southeast Asia, we supplied a meter with an ambient temperature rating of 60 °C because the meter cabinet was inside a sun-exposed kiosk. The standard transmitter rated for 55 °C would have failed. Small details like this keep the meter within its certified accuracy.
How to Get an MCERTS Flow Meter Quote from Silver Instruments
When you contact us, we need a few specific details to quote the correct certified model. Tell us the pipe diameter (DN), pipe material, the typical flow range in m³/h or L/s, the liquid type (raw sewage, treated effluent, industrial wastewater), temperature, and whether the meter will be installed indoors or buried. Also mention if the permit asks for Class 1 or Class 2 MCERTS, and whether you need a remote display because the sensor is inside a chamber.
Our team can provide the MCERTS certificate for the exact meter model before you order. The certificate includes the test report number, accredited laboratory details, and the uncertainty data. We ship electromagnetic flow meters with 4-20 mA HART output, pulse, and Modbus RTU RS485 as standard. If you need additional approvals like ATEX Zone 1, IECEx, or IP68 submersible, let us know at the same time so we can match the full compliance package.
You can reach Silver Automation Instruments directly. Email: [email protected]. Tel: +86-25-68650347. WhatsApp: +86-25-52155837. WeChat: +86 15365082610. Our factory is in China, and we ship to over 80 countries with full customs documentation, including the UKCA or CE marking where required alongside the MCERTS certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my wastewater discharge permit always require MCERTS? In the UK, if your permit is issued by the Environment Agency and includes self-monitoring of flow, the answer is usually yes. Outside the UK, many international consultants adopt MCERTS as a benchmark. Check the exact wording of your permit.
Can I retrofit an MCERTS flow meter into an existing pipe? Yes, provided you have enough straight pipe and a full-bore condition. Compact meters with wafer design fit between flanges. We supply meters from DN15 to DN2000, so even large-diameter retrofit jobs are possible.
How often do I need to recalibrate an MCERTS flow meter? The permit usually specifies an annual verification or recalibration. Some sites use an external calibration rig. Others send the meter to a lab. We recommend an onsite verification with a reference meter at least once a year.
What is the price difference between a standard magmeter and an MCERTS magmeter? The hardware is often the same. What changes is the certification package and the additional performance testing. For a DN100 meter, the MCERTS version may cost 10-15% more. Request a specific quote from our team for your size and requirements.
Do you supply MCERTS meters for hazardous areas? Yes. We have electromagnetic flow meters with ATEX and IECEx approvals for Zone 1 and Zone 2. The MCERTS certification for the flow performance remains separate, and we provide both certificates.
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