2013 – 76th WIOA Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition
4 & 5 September, 2013 – Bendigo Exhibition Centre
Supported by: Victorian Regional Water Corporations represented in 2013 by Goulburn Valley Water and Goulburn Murray Water.
Prime sponsors: Automation Group, Acromet, Peerless Industrial Systems and Xylem.
The following papers are listed in order of the conference program
CHLORINE RESIDUAL MEASUREMENT IN CHLORAMINATED SYSTEMS Aaron Ward – Melbourne Water
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As part of the investigation work, it was found that the indophenol method for measuring monochloramine residual was the most reliable method available and has since been adopted in the field. Extended use of this indophenol method has shown that samples are sometimes providing a monochloramine result that is greater than the DPD total chlorine result, and that the reaction time of the test can have a marked effect on the magnitude of the results. Although more investigation into these test interferences is required, the new testing regime is already providing distinct benefit to the plant operation.
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FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE McKENZIE HILL ODOUR ISSUE Sri Prasanna – Coliban Water
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The paper briefly outlines the various outcomes of the qualitative investigations that were undertaken to analyse the shortcomings of the previous solutions and quantitative analysis outcomes which highlighted the risks involved with the proposed solutions. It then discusses in detail how the issues identified as part of the investigations contributed towards moving to a design and construct project that enabled the final solution to evolve towards using a combination of Oxygen and Sulfox® (a proprietary odour control chemical) and positive influence of customer engagement and communication on this project.
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MANAGING RISK TO POTABLE WATER SUPPLY DURING RECYCLED WATER RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT WORKS Peter Murphy – Yarra Valley Water
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THE FUTURE IS CLEAR – IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION FOR ROBUST FILTERED WATER TURBIDITY MONITORING Matthew Whitelaw – East Gippsland Water
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An initial review of East Gippsland Water’s filter performance during 2011, against these targets, uncovered many challenges regarding the collection and analysis of data. Several upgrades were made as a result of this initial investigation to allow simple but effective data collection and analysis. The main upgrade to the data collection process was the introduction of a one minute polling interval to SCADA Historian for both the raw water flow and the filtered water turbidity. This allowed a simple determination of whether or not the plant is in operation and therefore the relevance of the corresponding turbidity values. This was a simple and cost effective project that has allowed accurate analysis of filter performance.
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INCIDENT RESPONSE TO 2013 HARRIETVILLE BUSHFIRES Trent Newton & Jamie Rossato – North East Water
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GSA REPORT Susan Peisley – Government Skills Australia
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A GREEN WICKET AT THE ‘G’ – AN OVERVIEW OF THE MCG WATER RECYCLING FACILITY Daniel Haworth – Tenix
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WETALLA SOLAR HALL OPERATIONS – 5 YEARS ON James Coonon – Toowoomba Regional Council
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Before the plant upgrade, the Wetalla Stage 4 plant was producing about 1500 tonnes per month which was transported to the Thiess reclamation site at Swan Bank. The biosolids processed from the aerobic digesters had about 12.5% solids concentration and were stored in a clam bottomed silo for loading into semi-trailers and transport from site for beneficial reuse.
The commissioning began well but eventually problems surfaced, not with the actual belt presses but with the associated processes. Over the last 5 years we have made several improvements on the initial design. While the system does run efficiently, there is still room for improvement, and lessons to be applied in the design of future developments.
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CASE HISTORY – GEOMEMBRANE & FLOATING COVER SYSTEM, SOUTH AUSTRALIA WATER CORPORATION, WATTLE PARK RESERVOIR Bob Cahill – Layfield Group
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Based on the operational importance of the Wattle Park project, a new performance specification for the geomembrane and floating cover material was developed. Meeting this specification required a specially stabilized and formulated geomembrane. This paper addresses the technical review criteria for selecting a new geomembrane as well as a number of project challenges and techniques used by the contractor related to the installation of a new liner and floating cover.
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RESERVOIR CLEANING – 18 YEARS OF VACUUMING AND REFLECTING David Barry – Aqualift Pacific
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AQUANTIFY: ENABLING EFFICIENT RECORDING AND REPORTING OF PLANT PERFORMANCE AND WATER QUALITY Catherine Huf – Wannon Water
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Aquantify has the user in mind at every step. With the Operator being the primary user, the aim was to make it as quick and easy as filling in a log sheet, but with so much more.
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ADVANCED PROCESS CONTROL AIDS OPERATIONS DECISION MAKING Geoff Lukin – Western Water
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Significant growth can occur in a catchment over this period and as a result the operating MLSS at year 1 may need to be significantly lower than in year 20. Excess biomass can lead to a number of issues such as settleability problems, excess foaming and scum production and increased aeration demand (i.e. increased power costs).
At Sunbury operations staff have reverted to Solids Retention Time (SRT) as a means of managing MLSS (specifically the biomass inventory). This has been completed by adding an SRT calculator to the site SCADA output on the PLC.
Operations staff are undertaking a program of works to optimize the plant and have implemented a sampling plan in order to find the breakpoint SRT for ammonia breakthrough during different seasonal conditions. This paper explains the background to SRT based control and advantages of this control mechanism and the specific sampling and advantages to the Sunbury Recycled Water Plant (RWP).
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INNOVATIONS IN UV TECHNOLOGY AT THE EASTERN TREATMENT PLANT IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Alastair MacNab – Trojan Technologies
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The advanced tertiary upgrade will significantly improve the discharge quality of the facility, reducing its impact on the receiving marine environment and creating a high quality recycled water resource suitable for a broad range of non-potable applications. The pathogen reduction requirements to produce “fit-for-purpose” recycled water in accordance with current Australian recycled water regulation and guidance was based on a quantitative microbial risk assessment approach. Ozone disinfection was designed to provide 4-log virus and bacteria inactivation in addition to a minimum 0.6- log inactivation of protozoa. The UV system was designed to achieve 4-log inactivation of Cryptosporidium, and is the primary barrier to address protozoa risks to the recycled water product and associated protection of public health.
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INNOVATIVE USE OF AIR SCOURING – ODOUR CONTROL AND CLEANING RISING MAINS Gary Black – East Gippsland Water
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Monitoring levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from the rising main leading to Johnsonville had shown unacceptable levels of the offensive (and dangerous) gas before, during and after a number of trials of ‘odour control’ systems. Using Odaloggers, average daily levels in selected manholes varied between 100 ppm and 200 ppm H2S. After the unsuccessful odour control trials East Gippsland Water (EGW) adopted an approach of cleaning the rising main as a method of controlling the H2S and subsequent odours. Using Air Scouring Technology and Sodium Hypochlorite disinfection this has been successful at this site reducing odour levels to well below 3 ppm H2S
At a second site, and in response to a very expensive (~$100,000) unblocking of the Bruthen to Johnsonville rising main, EGW investigations revealed the cause of the blockage to be a residual compound most likely resulting from the chemical dosing to this main. In response to this issue EGW utilised its Air Scouring Technology to clean this main where more traditional methods such as flushing, pumping and high pressure cleaning had failed. Following on from this success EGW has now implemented a proactive cleaning campaign for this asset involving air scouring specific sections once a pre-set discharge pressure trigger point has been breached at the Bruthen Pump Station.
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DIAGNOSIS AND RECTIFICATION OF CLASS A PLANT PERFORMANCE ISSUES Clint Vandepeer – Yarra Valley Water
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In 2011, plant operators started experiencing membrane performance issues and found it increasingly difficult to meet recycled water demands. Investigation into plant performance issues commenced and included;
• membrane autopsy to identify membrane fouling
• undertaking of targeted cleaning regimes
• identification and elimination of potential sources of fouling contaminants
• review and revision of process control philosophy and PLC logic.
This investigation project provided valuable learning and experience for Yarra Valley Water’s operators and engineers in the potential pitfalls of membrane operations and the level of quality assurance required on highly automated PLC programming.
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CORROSION INDUCED FAILURE OF VERTICAL STRESSING BARS IN CONCRETE WATER RESERVOIRS Brad Dockrill – Vinsi Partners
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The two case studies show that, for many concrete reservoirs (of this type), it is more likely to be a case of when rather than if failure will occur. They also show that, using a co-operative approach, considered and proactive inspection and monitoring/repair regimes combined with sound engineering judgment, the risk of failure can be minimised to acceptable levels.
The case studies indicate reservoirs with vertical stressed bars without cementitious grout encapsulation are subject to failure due to stress corrosion cracking. Reservoirs designed with this feature and a sliding base (that is not freely sliding) required wall strengthening where bars failed. Remediation measures were developed including strengthening to allow the service life of the reservoirs to be extended by many decades whilst maintaining critical service delivery.
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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR CENTRIFUGE: AN EXERCISE IN PROCESS OPTIMISATION AND THE BENEFITS OF INTER-CORPORATION NETWORKING Jarrah Feather – East Gippsland Water
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Like all major projects, the construction and commissioning of the new WTP was not without its issues. The one that would prove to be the most difficult to solve, extremely frustrating and time consuming for operators, was the operation of the WTP’s washwater facilities, and in particular, the centrifuge. After many months and a great deal of expense in contractor call-outs, employee time and overtime attempting to maintain operation of the centrifuge, EGW contacted a neighbouring water corporation who had a very similar washwater system. They obligingly offered their time, experience and facilities which resulted in some significant findings and recommendations for potential improvements to assist with the operation of our centrifuge.
Following the visit, several of these findings and recommendations were trialled with greater than expected results. The current paper will describe our findings and experiences, so these learnings may assist other water corporations under similar circumstances.
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LIFTING THE LID ON FILTER COVERS Adrian Voogt – Goulburn Valley Water
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The four filter beds are each 2.5m wide by 10m long resulting in a roof area of 10m x 10m over the four filters. One single cover was not the answer, so the option was to look at a best fit for this site. This sounds like an easy task but in theory this is not without some technical challenges. These include the difficulty of getting quotations without technical drawings, material to be used and consideration to a number of what if’s. A few conversations later and sketches transform from conventional shed arrangement fitted with rollers doors to roller doors mounted in a horizontal plane to the final version of a series of sliding panels on two levels engineered to allow staged access to the four filter beds.
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WHEN THE DUCKS CONTINUE TO LINE UP: DRINKING WATER QUALITY NEAR MISSES AND THE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO THEM David Sheehan – Department of Health Victoria
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WATER FLUORIDATION PLANTS IN VICTORIA Helen Oates – Department of Health Victoria
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