2010 – 35th Queensland Water Industry Operations Workshop
22 to 24 June, 2010 – Community Sports Centre, CQ University, Rockhampton
Supported by: Fitroy River Water & WITA
with assistance from: Rad-Tel Systems, ITT Water and Wastewater, Acromet, Peerless Industrial Systems, Australian Water Association, Queensland Government and Queensland Water Directorate
The following papers appear in order of the Workshop Program
WIOA REPORT Cynthia Lim – WIOA Operations Manager
OPERATOR’S GUIDE TO ACTIVATED SLUDGE BULKING Michael Lever
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SURVIVING THE BREAKING OF THE DROUGHT John McCarthy – Seqwater Mt Crosby
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Both treatment plants source their water from the Brisbane River with Wivenhoe Dam being some 60 kilometres upstream of the treatment plant raw water intakes. Numerous creeks enter the Brisbane River between Wivenhoe Dam and Mt Crosby creating a variety of treatment challenges through changes in soluble manganese, taste, algae, turbidity, colour, alkalinity and conductivity.
During the drought from 2002 to 2007 the storage levels in the dams had reduced to <15%. On 19th November 2008, a rain depression dumped >200mm of rain over much of the mid-Brisbane River Catchment in approximately 4 hours, starting at 7:00pm. This rain event for Mt Crosby WTPs was the breaking of the drought and for the following 6 months, the start of the post-drought water treatment challenges.
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THE APV INATURE SLUDGE TREATMENT PROCESS Robert Fulton – SPX Flow Technology
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This paper will show that through the innovative use of proven process technologies, a significant improvement in the biological conversion process can be realized utilizing an external recirculation system incorporating a low-pressure homogenizer for digester sludge treatment. We shall show how higher organic conversion rates, increases in energy production (biogas yields), and reduction in sludge volumes can be achieved, and how a net positive financial benefit may be realized after a relatively short payback period.
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DEMAND MANAGEMENT IS THE BUZZ – BUT IF YOU DON’T MEASURE IT, HOW DO YOU MANAGE IT? Peter McLennan – AllFlow Supply Company
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Demand Management, particularly in relation to water supply, can be described as understanding your customer’s requirements and ensuring that sufficient supply is available.
This would be easy if you can be sure of the expected usage over a defined period. As population grows, demand grows. As water supplies deplete, demand still grows. Managing the demand so that there is always water available is becoming a complex issue which needs to be reviewed regularly and actively managed in line with the provider’s Customer and Environmental policies.
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BIOLOGICAL NUTRIENT REMOVAL (BNR) TECHNOLOGY IN NEW AND UPGRADED WWTP’S Bill Grote – SkillsTech – TAFE
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INTEGRATED STORAGE MANAGEMENT – A PHILOSOPHY ON THE MITIGATION OF ALGAE IN INTERMEDIATE WATER & EFFLUENT STORAGES Chris McLaughlin – BioRemedy
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In intermediate storages, where the process unit collects either partially-processed or source waters before final treatment, be it disinfection prior to outfall, or coagulation, flocculation and filtration prior to release to the reticulation, the presence of algae can present a range of negative impacts upon operational processes.
Operational staff, as well as re-use customers, can be placed at significant risk if algal blooms, particularly of the blue-green (cyanobacteria) algal division, are not managed appropriately.
Management via executing the concept of destratification of distinct thermal layers (eplilimnion, metalimnion and hypolimnion) that can occur within the susceptible water storage should be a principal consideration. In periods of extreme infestation an open-minded practical approach to a supplementary chemical control may need to be considered to achieve short-term respite.
Through the application of appropriate strategies, designed to ensure both operational and managerial considerations, mitigation of the risks associated with persistent algal infestation can be successfully achieved.
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NORTHERN PIPELINE INTERCONNECTOR “NPI” IMPLEMENTATION: THE EFFECT ON OPERATION OF THE NORTH PINE WTP Denis Maguire – Seqwater North Pine
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A multi billion dollar Water Grid has been established in SEQ which is an integrated system that secures and efficiently manages SEQ water supplies and comprises an infrastructure network of treatment facilities and two way pipes that move water from new and existing sources across the region. One particular network interface that has been established as part of this Grid initiative is the Northern Pipeline Interconnector (NPI) that links the North Pine WTP with the Lander Shute WTP some 60 klms to the North.
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FOAMING ORGANISMS IN SEWAGE TREATMENT-FRIEND OR FOE: VICTIM OF BAD PUBLICITY Peter Griffiths – CH2M HILL Australia
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The fundamental question of “what causes foaming organisms to proliferate” was answered by research undertaken in Australia. Applying this research and based on full scale plant studies within Australia, it is possible to identify why foaming bacteria occur, why the severity of foaming varies and why “overnight” foaming events occur.
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WESTERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL INTEGRATION OF DRIVE BY AUTOMATED METER READING Aleisha Wrigley – Western District Regional Council
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The recent amalgamation of several councils in South Western Queensland has affirmed the need for efficient and cost effective operating practices. This presented Western Downs Regional Council the opportunity to implement Drive by AMR (automatic meter reading) technology with the expectation of reducing meter reading time and costs in outlying areas and improving meter reading accuracy.
With the capability of increased meter reads, Western Downs Regional Council are anticipating another benefit; effective demand management through improved and more frequent advise to customers on water consumption.
The paper details the roll out strategy for the implementation of Drive by AMR as well the integration into meter reading systems. The paper will present the anticipated benefits as well as drawbacks from the implementation and integration of a Drive by AMR.
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AVG FILTERS AND WAIMATE WATER Paul Roberts – Waimate District Council, New Zealand
NEW “CLEAN-EDGE” IMPELLER DESIGN OVERCOMES RAGGING IN WASTEWATER BIOREACTORS Peter Glass – SPX Fluid Technology – LIGHTNIN Operations
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A new impeller design (LIGHTNIN Clean-Edge) has been recently developed to yield the same process result as a traditional three-bladed high-efficiency hydrofoil impeller without rag build-up during operation. This new design impeller will draw equivalent power at the same speed and is therefore easily retro-fitted to existing equipment. Benefits include: reduced electrical energy usage; reduced repair bills; reduced maintenance costs and increased plant availability.
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THE FIVE DAY CHALLENGE – REBUILDING THE KILMORE WTP AFTER THE BLACK SATURDAY BUSHFIRES Greg Comer – Goulburn Valley Water
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PRODUCING SAFE DRINKING WATER FROM THE DYNAMIC FITZROY RIVER Jason Plumb – Fitzroy River Water
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With ever increasing water quality regulation and scrutiny on water service providers, maintaining a safe supply of drinking water from a dynamic river system such as the Fitzroy requires an array of skills and expertise. Specific challenges include, treating raw water turbidity that can vary by more than three orders of magnitude, responding to flood events, and dealing with prolonged cyanobacterial blooms. Here we describe our response to some of these challenges and discuss future issues that will impact the supply of safe drinking water from the Fitzroy River.
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PICTURE THE FUTURE: AUSTRALIA – WATER & ENERGY Ian Storie – Siemens
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Siemens has undertaken a comprehensive and unique research project called ‘Picture the Future Australia, focussing on the two critical issues of water and energy in Australia. Undertaken in consultation with some of Australia’s leading research and development institutions, this research provides a technology blueprint outlining what can be achieved in the next two decades to help Australia meet carbon emissions targets, and to ensure a secure and sustainable water future.
In view of these current challenges and opportunities, I believe what is missing is a course of action – but one that is not overwhelming in its detail. Rather, a strategy that brings together the wealth of information and proposes a plan. I believe our research delivers this. Australia has always had the choice to pursue an economically and environmentally sustainable future – and, even in the midst of global challenges such as climate change, demographic change, urbanisation and globalisation, these choices are still available for us to fulfil.
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REHABILITATION OF SEWERS FOR THE FUTURE – RISK AND ASSET MANAGEMENT OF YOUR SEWER NETWORK Neville L’Oste-Brown – Fitzroy River Water
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In recent years investigations have revealed that a lot of the sewers that have been constructed for greater than 40 years are showing signs of degradation.
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SKILLS INITIATIVES FOR THE QUEENSLAND WATER INDUSTRY Rob Fearon – Queensland Water Directorate
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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE WATER INDUSTRY 2010 Wayne Morling – Government Skills Australia
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Key areas of focus for the review will be Certificate IV, Diploma and Graduate Certificate levels of the package. Additionally, consideration will be given to introducing an Advanced Diploma to the training package.
It is also anticipated that new units will need to be developed at certificate levels II and III to accommodate evolving needs of industry.
To successfully complete this review, industry will be extensively consulted. This will involve identifying changing and emerging needs through a variety of consultation and communication processes. We intend to utilise Technical Reference Groups, comprised of subject matter experts within industry, as well as, seeking input and feedback more broadly across the industry.
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DRINKING WATER INCIDENTS: THE REGULATOR’S PERSPECTIVE Nigel Garson – Office of the Water Supply Regulator, DERM
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This paper explains how the requirements for drinking water have been implemented, what the Office of the Water Supply Regulator (OWSR) has learnt along the way and what industry improvements have been observed from OWSR’s perspective.
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SLUDGE SETTLEABILITY CONTROL AT ELANORA WWTP RAS CHLORINATION TRIAL Martin Hindmarsh – Allconnex Water
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RAS chlorination was trialled over a 3 month period on the smaller stage of the plant. An acceptable improvement in settleability was recorded. Detrimental impacts on effluent quality were observed at high doses, providing guidance on the operational limitations of RAS chlorination.
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ROCKHAMPTON TO YEPPOON PIPELINE – PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASPECTS Chris Hegarty – Cardno & Neville L’Oste Brown – Fitzroy River Water
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Project Delivery will be explored in terms of the number and type of contracts employed, risk and the management of the many contract interfaces. Special design aspects are discussed including above ground valve facilities, rural fire hydrants and service connection points.
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