NELSON MANDELA BAY & BUFFALO CITY
The Proteus is the first instrument globally that has the potential to measure bacteria/coliforms in drinking water in real time
Monitoring, maintaining, and managing water and wastewater process engineering outputs requires the best technologies. Downstream quality can never be compromised, says Jaco Haasbroek from Water Control Solutions Africa (WCS-Africa), which supplies and supports leading OEM solutions. Drought mitigation is an equally important factor.
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ithin the water and wastewater spectrum, maintaining ser vices to households and industry is an absolute priority. In turn, water utilities make major infrastructure investments and municipalities are responsible for the final delivery. Along the way, eroding factors include nonrevenue water losses, and unnecessarily high wastewater treatment costs. An example would be where aerators continue to run at full speed even though organic loads fluctuate during the day. Here, variable-speed drives can pass on energy savings during lower incoming BOD/COD conditions. Other factors to consider include excessive chlorination dosing for potable water purification, and the lack of effective instrumentation to monitor and model current and future outcomes. “Metering, monitoring and pressure management are standard operating practices for any new or existing system, but that’s interdependent on having the right tools in place,” says Haasbroek. “At WCS-Africa, we’ve brought together a suite of technologies that significantly improve efficiencies.”
Integrated technologies include: •water balance optimisation •non-revenue water mitigation •water scheme automation •telemetry management •leak detection •pressure management •asset condition assessment
•asset management •shared water savings •prepaid water metering.
Groundwater and reuse Process optimisation goes hand in hand with water conservation, especially in water-scarce regions affected by extended droughts. WCSAfrica works with consulting firms that specialise in groundwater exploration, borehole drilling, and the treatment of the abstracted water. Water reuse is another important area. Here, WCS-Africa provides solutions for service providers that include effluent quality testing, treatment design, grey- and blackwater separation, package plants and water storage. SupplyFix provides an immediate and permanent solution for pipeline leaks
ACHIEVING WATER SECURITY THROUGH 4IR Proteus water quality sensor Included in WCS-Africa’s technology suite is the Proteus Instruments range. When it comes to water quality meters, Proteus sets the benchmark. Proteus fields a multiparameter, real-time sensor platform to accurately and reliably measure BOD, COD, TOC and coliforms in permanent and temporary applications. Additional sensors can be added to measure parameters such as free chlorine, pH, redox, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. The Proteus is designed to communicate with telemetry/Scada systems and other datalogging devices, like tablets and smartphones. “These sensor probes are light and easy to use, plus they’re built to withstand the toughest field conditions,” says Haasbroek.
SupplyFix pipeline repairs Another innovative OEM solution is SupplyFix, which specialises in permanent water and sanitation pipeline repair interventions under live load conditions. Fittings can be used on straight pipe sections, 90-degree bends, T-pieces and joints. Benefits include zero downtime, plus no water or pressure losses (under most circumstances). Installation is also straightforward, with no cutting or augmentation required. BestFix is a medium-pressure leak solution for pipelines operating at up to 16 bar and is suitable for most pipe materials, such as HDPE, AC, GRP, PVC and steel – and for diameters ranging from 12 mm to 2 000 mm. Systems are available in lengths from 200 mm up to 1 000 mm. AgriFix is a low-pressure leak solution for pipelines operating up to 9 bar and is the more economical option when compared to the medium-pressure BestFix range. “Our holistic implementation of 4IR technologies ensures that every facet of the water and wastewater cycle is covered,” Haasbroek concludes.
IMIESA August 2020
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