Express Water (Vol.1, No.4) March, 2018 by Indian Express

CONTENTS COLUMNS

Vol 01 No 4 March 2018 Pages 52 Chairman of the Board

13 14 18

Viveck Goenka Sr Vice President - BPD

Neil Viegas Editor

Mayur Sharma* DESIGN

MARKET INSIGHTS By Frost & Sullivan WATER WISE By WaterAid URBAN WATER By Robert Brears

National Design Editor

Bivash Barua

APPLICATION

Assistant Art Director

Pravin Temble

Chief Designer

Prasad Tate Senior Designer

CORRECT APPLICATION OF MBBR & IFAS TECHNOLOGY IN BIOLOGICAL WATER TREATMENT

Rekha Bisht

CASE STUDY

Graphic Designer

Gauri Deorukhkar DIGITAL TEAM Head of Internet

Viraj Mehta Web Developer

Dhaval Das Senior Executive - Online

Pushkar Worlikar Executive - Online

Salil Sule

WATER - DEMAND & SUPPLYISSUES

CSR FUNDING DELIVERS A PUBLIC SANITATION PROJECT The significant challenges of this project were low water usage and low-cost sustainability.

FINE SCREEN AND CLARIFIER PLAY VITAL ROLE IN COMMUNITY PLANT The Spiraflo clarifier and Raptor screen help in upgradation work of Addison Wastewater Treatment Plant in the New York state.

CLEVER KAYAK RIG NAVIGATES TRICKY BATHYMETRY CHALLENGE Webb’s study of lake bottom indicated that more than 313,000 cubic yards of sediment has collected in Lake Forest since 1958, an accumulation of approx. 16,200 tons per year.

SCHEDULING & COORDINATION

Santosh Lokare Photo Editor

Sandeep Patil MARKETING

Kailash Shirodkar

As the water supply is under severe pressure due to increased demand and water treatment plant issues, Express Water explores the various points of concern with the industry stakeholders.

17-27

CIRCULATION

Mohan Varadakar PRODUCTION

OUT OF THE BOX

General Manager

B R Tipnis

MARKET

Manager

Bhadresh Valia Express Water® REGD. WITH RNI NO. MAHENG/2017/74894.

KSB GROUP TAKES ACTION AGAINST ASIAN BRAND AND TRADEMARK INFRINGERS While counterfeiting is a serious global problem for all pump manufacturers, it is also a problem for would-be pump buyers.

HEALTH CONCERNS OF CONSUMERS INCREASE DEMAND FOR BOTTLED DRINKING WATER

IAPMO INDIA TO RUN WATER QUALITY INDIA ASSOCIATION’S OPERATIONS

JEWEL-OF-THE-OCEAN INSPIRES NEW, ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY AND MORE HYGIENIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT

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P05 : EDITOR’S NOTE P15 : PRODUCTS P16 : MOVEMENTS

Point, Mumbai – 400021)

Copyright © 2017 The Indian Express (P) Limited. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited. *Responsible for selection of news under PRB Act

March, 2018

EXPRESS WATER

EDITOR’S NOTE

Before It’s Too Late… Recently, one of my friends shared an interesting article by the noted water expert Prof. Asit K. Biswas where he rightly points out the fundamental problem of our water management practice: While the focus has always been on increasing the supply, no effort has been made to manage demand and increase efficiencies. As 40-60% of water produced by the Indian urban utilities is regularly lost (non-revenue water), the problem has only been increasing with a consistent migration of population towards the urban regions. According to World Water Council, urbanization is one of the most transformative trends in the 21st century. And facts support it - 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2030, while 60% of urban settlements remain to be built. Around 2 million people will have migrated to cities, placing unprecedented pressure on infrastructure and resources, particularly those related to water. By 2030, there will be a 50% increase in demand for energy and water, requiring a water infrastructure capital investment of three times the current level. And by 2030, more than 40% of the world’s population will live in river basins under severe water stress and 20% of the population will be at risk from floods. This makes me wonder about the upcoming days of imbalance between the demand and supply. In the cover story section this month, we are exploring this topic of ‘Water - Demand & Supply Issues’ from different viewpoints. The focus is on increasing efficiencies in the current system. The monthly column by Robert Brears on ‘Urban Water’ talks about developing ‘alternative’ water supplies. And it gives examples of Singapore’s NEWater, Melbourne’s City West Water’s Recycled Water Pro-

“…the worst time to respond to a drought is in the midst of one.At that point,there are few,if any, good options available to avoid the worst impacts of drought,and combined with enflamed passions and politics,reaching consensus on solutions is nearly impossible.” - From an open letter to the US Senate

ject, the Hamburg Water Cycle, and the City of Tucson’s Rainwater Harvesting Rebate. We interacted with Mark Nicol - the Senior Director of International Sales & Operations at Echologics about pipeline condition assessment, smart water infrastructure, water supply systems and latest leak detection technologies. The case study by KSB highlights modern pumps boosting energy-efficiency in a drinking water supply system by upto 21%. In another case, Haifa’s water utility company Mei Carmel had one of the most complicated water grids in Israel with a 600 km network of water mains. TaKaDu helped them to make improvements in its operations and efficiency levels and deliver significant NRW (non-revenue water) savings. The monthly column by Australian Water Partnership (AWP) highlights eight golden rules for making the transition to a drought-resilient society. Though it may be late for a city like Cape Town to implement these rules, other world cities would be wise to begin implementing them now. From this issue, we are adding a new column by Frost & Sullivan called ‘Market Insights’. It will cover market trends and sustainable water technologies every month. The focus in this issue is the potential for membrane-based water & wastewater treatment systems in Europe. As always, I welcome editorial contributions from water professionals on the issues they find significant for the water sector. And keep sending updates on water & wastewater projects, policies and people.

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March, 2018

IN THE NEWS

Rs.4,000 Crore Worth Projects Approved in National Mission for Clean Ganga biological and tertiary treatment, installation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)-based pilot plant of 200 KLD capacity among other components. The

Funds Unutilized in NMCG & State Programs

EW Staff New Delhi IN THE 9TH Executive Committee meeting of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), projects worth nearly Rs 4,000 crore were approved including a 20 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for tannery cluster at Jajmau in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. This 3-phased project at an estimated cost of Rs. 629 crore includes pre-treatment unit in 380 individual tannery units, a 20 CETP with physical,

In its 39th Report, CAG has reported that an amount of Rs. 2,133.76 crore and Rs. 422.13 crore remained unutilized in National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the State Program Management Groups, respectively, as on 31 March 2017. central share of this project is Rs. 472 crore. Another project in Kanpur was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 967.23 crore for rehabilitation and integration of sewage treatment infrastructure under Hybrid AnnuityPPP mode. This project also

includes construction of a 30 MLD STP at Pankha. In Allahabad, a project worth Rs 904 crore for rehabilitation and integration of sewage treatment infrastructure was approved under Hybrid Annuity-PPP mode. An online monitoring system for all STPs and SPS for proper implementation has also been approved. One project of in-situ/exsitu bio-remediation treatment of drains going into river Ganga has also been given approval at an estimated cost of Rs. 410 crore. One project for rehabilitation with Operation & Maintenance of 15 years for Garden Reach STP (57 MLD) and Keorapukur STP (50 MLD) in West Bengal under Hybrid Annuity mode has also been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 165.16 crore. Besides, three sewage infra-

Installation of STPs Under Namami Gange Programme Under Namami Gange Programme, 12 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been completed and commissioned during 2015-16 to 2017-18 (5 in Uttarakhand, 5 in Uttar Pradesh, and 2 in West Bengal). The additional treatment capacity generated through these installed Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) is 137.35 Million Liters Per Day (MLD). structure projects have been accorded revised approvals in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs. 230.06 crore, Rs. 305.18 crore and Rs. 294.02 crore

respectively. The central share in these three projects is Rs 161.04 crore, Rs. 213.63 crore and Rs. 205.81 crore respectively.

Water Quality Monitoring Project by CPCB Under the Namami Gange programme, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has undertaken a project in which it is carrying out the water quality monitoring of river Ganga from Gangotri to West Bengal. It is assessing the water quality of 540 rivers including River Ganga and the Yamuna at 1533 locations in association with State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees throughout the country. Water quality monitoring data of CPCB for the period 2015-17 indicates that Dissolved Oxygen (DO) has been found to be within acceptable limits of notified primary water quality criteria for bathing.

31 Sewage Management Projects Worth Rs 1024.5 Crore Under Execution in Uttarakhand

Uma Bharti Launches Second Project of Swajal Yojana in Rajasthan

EW Staff Uttarakhand

EW Staff Rajasthan

CITIES LIKE HARIDWAR and Rishikesh will soon have 100% sewage treatment facility as sewage management interventions in Uttarakhand near completion. There are 31 sewage management projects sanctioned at an estimated

March, 2018

cost of Rs 1024.5 crore, to create 155.45 MLD STP capacity and to lay/rehabilitate 151.02 kms of sewer network. Out of these, 13 projects have been completed, which has created 24 MLD STP capacity at a cost of Rs 139.5 crore. Of the remaining 18 projects, 16 have already been awarded, while two are under tendering.

Haridwar generates an estimated 114 MLD of sewage, but its existing three sewage treatment plants are able to treat only 63 MLD of sewage, while the remaining discharges directly into river Ganga. In Rishikesh town, an estimated 15 MLD of sewage is generated, which is likely to increase in the future.

UNION MINISTER OF Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharti recently launched the Swajal pilot project in the Village Bhikampura, Karauli, Rajasthan. Besides ensuring the availability of clean drink-

ing water to every household around the year, the project would also generate employment. She inaugurated the pilot Swajal Project at Bhikampura with a budget of more than 54.17 lakh rupees. Swajal is a community-owned drinking water programme for sustained drinking water supply.

EXPRESS WATER

IN THE NEWS

Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation Selects SUEZ to Improve the Water Distribution Services The 26-year project, worth near €400 million, is the largest water services contract won by SUEZ in India.

EW Staff Coimbatore COIMBATORE CITY MUNICIPAL Corporation has chosen SUEZ to manage and operate the water distribution system within the entire city to ensure continuous drinking water access to its 1.6 million inhabitants. Coimbatore is one of the largest textiles and industrial hubs in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city has called upon SUEZ to improve the quality of water services and ensure permanent access to drinking water, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to its rapidly-growing population. The scope of the contract includes the optimization, rehabilita-

tion and operation of the entire water distribution system (reservoirs, water network, house connections, water meters, valves, etc.) which will cover an area of over 100 km2 with 150,000 connections and a distribution network of 1,200 km. The contract also aims to improve customer services with a state-of-the-art customer call center and customer agencies to ensure a personalized service and faster complaints resolution. Since winning its first contract in India to improve water supply and distribution services in the Malviya Nagar district of Delhi in 2012, SUEZ has secured a substantial market position in India, winning significant contracts for water distribution and serv-

ices in major metropolitan cities including Bangalore and Kolkata. The group’s activity in India contributes to

“

“Population and urban growth in India, linked with economic development, has resulted in citizens’new expectations for quality services. Our longstanding experience in supplying water to cities such as Algiers, Casablanca and Chongqing, and more recently to Indian cities, enables us to guarantee continuous access to quality drinking water to the population of Coimbatore.” Marie-Ange Debon Group Senior Executive VP in charge of the international division

SUEZ to Provide Sludge Treatment and Recovery Services in China The company joins hands with SE Environment to provide the services for the city of Shenzhen. EW Staff China SUEZ NWS AND SE Environment have signed a shareholder agreement in order to establish the joint venture SE SUEZ Environmental Technology, which will be in charge of managing the Shangyang Project for the treatment and recovery of sludge in the city of Shenzhen for a contract duration of 30 years. The Shangyang Project is the largest sludge recovery

March, 2018

and treatment center in the city of Shenzhen. With a capacity of up to 800 tons of sludge per day, it will optimize the treatment of sludge from more than 10 municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Longgang district and the downtown of Shenzhen, and will thus contribute to the protection of the city's environment. Constructed by SUEZ NWS, the Shenzhen Shangyang sludge treatment plant is the first sludge-toenergy recovery center in

supplying 5.5 billion liters of drinking water to more than 44 million inhabitants per day.

€191 Million Drinking Water Production Plant Extension Agreement Signed bySUEZin Indonesia EW Staff Indonesia

Shenzhen and will use the Thermylis technology for the first time in China. Successfully deployed in more than 40 plants built by SUEZ in Europe and North America, Thermylis significantly reduces energy consumption.

PDAM TIRTANADI, THE Water Corporation of the Province of North Sumatra has awarded SUEZ the contract for extension of drinking water production plant in Medan, the third largest city in Indonesia. The extension of this BOT (Build-OperateTransfer) contract for a period of 25 years and €191 million, includes funding, building, the operation and transfer of two additional water production units for the Medan plant.

This project will improve access to drinking water for the fast-growing population of the city of Medan and contribute to local authorities’ goal of supplying more than 84% of the population with drinking water by 2020, as compared with 73.2% today. In 2001, SUEZ finalized the first phase of Medan drinking water production plant building, which the Group has been operating since. With a production capacity of 43,200 m3/day, this plant supplies drinking water to the 150,000 inhabitants.

EXPRESS WATER

IN THE NEWS

L&T Construction Wins Orders Worth Rs. 2257 Crores in Water & Effluent Treatment Business Segments EW Staff Mumbai L&T CONSTRUCTION HAS secured its first order from Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), Government of Bihar to lay a new sewerage network and construct pumping stations at Saidpur. The scope includes survey, review of designs, redesign & build the new sewerage network of 172 Km length, design & construct 4 pumping stations and all

appurtenant structures. It has bagged another order from Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), Government of Karnataka for the execution of a lift irrigation system in Harapanahalli Taluk, Davanagere district. One EPC order has been secured from Bangalore Development Authority for executing Utility Development and Management for Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout on a Design, Build & Operate

(DBO) basis for Package -1. The scope includes 360 km of Potable Water Supply, Sewage Collection & Recycle Water Supply network and 85 km of Precast Utility Ducts. HT/LT Power Cabling, Smart Street Lighting, Fiber Optic Cables, Online Analyzers & SCADA form major components of the Electrical & Instrumentation scope. In addition, five Sewage Treatment Plants of combined capacity 22.5 Million Liters per Day (MLD) using the most advanced sewage

treatment technology - MBR, have been proposed under the project. Another EPC order has been secured from the Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam Maryadit (MPJNM), Government of Madhya Pradesh, for providing water to the Seoni and Chappara Blocks of Seoni District. The scope includes supply and laying of pipelines, design and construction of intake pump houses, water treatment plant & various water storage structures including

house service connections. One more EPC order has been secured from Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Odisha for providing water supply to Komana, Nuapada, Boden and Khariar Blocks of Nuapada District in Odisha. The scope of work includes supply and laying of transmission & distribution pipelines, design and construction of an intake well, pump houses, water treatment plants and water storage structures with associated electromechanical & instrumentation works.

Project to Upgrade the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ninth WABAG to Build a NewDrinking Water Largest Drinking Water Treatment Plant Treatment Plant in Vietnam EW Staff Philippines VA TECH WABAG HAS been awarded the contract for the plant retrofit and upgrade with a value of USD 60 million together with a JV partner. The La Mesa-2 WTP produces 900,000 m3 of water per day and is one of three Metro Manila drinking water plants, which ensure the safe supply of clean water to the megacity. The plant will be refurbished

and receive a technical upgrade during continuous operation over the course of the next 3 years. WABAG Philippines won the contract for the retrofit, rehabilitation and upgrade of the large-scale La Mesa 2 water treatment plant in Quezon City in October 2017. The plant produces 900,000 m3/d for around five million people in the Manila metropolis and the project, which has a total contractual value of USD

Looking for Partners on WATSAN Programs in India WABAG is looking for proposals from NGOs/Trusts for CSR projects in thematic areas of water, sanitation and environmental sustainability based on sustainable models. Its CSR programs include water augmentation, watershed development, capacity building for wetland management, water and wastewater treatment plants for hospitals and institutions, hygiene improvement practices in backward villages, and water conservation like the implementation of micro-irrigation systems. It is also keen to receive proposals on sanitation like building toilets and Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTP), etc.

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60 million, will be realized together with a local civil JV partner. The Angat River is the largest and most important water source for Metro Manila. The water is stored in reservoirs and then treated in the La Mesa 1 &2 and Balara plants to make it potable. The plants employ four main treatment steps consisting of coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. However, over the years, the technology employed at La Mesa-2 WTP has become outdated and therefore requires refurbishment and modernization. The scope of supply includes design & engineering, equipment, installation and commissioning. After completion, which is scheduled for the end of 2020, WABAG will also be responsible for process proving for one year.

EW Staff Vietnam VA TECH WABAG HAS captured an order, worth USD 13 million, for the 150,000 m3/d Duong River Water Treatment Plant. This project aims to meet the clean water

needs for about 3 million people in Hanoi and the surrounding provinces and constitutes. WABAG will complete the order on turnkey basis within an ambitious timescale of only 11 months. Commissioning shall be completed in September 2018.

WABAG Achieves Global Leadership in Green Building Certification WABAG HOUSE - the global head office of VA Tech Wabag, in India, has been certified as Platinum rated Green Building under CII-IGBC Green Existing Building Category. The entire wastewater at the facility is treated through an in-house highly efficient compact STP and treated water is being used for flushing and horticulture. Due to an efficient water use, 81% savings is achieved as compared to baseline water requirement. WABAG is the first pure play water technology company in world to achieve this prestigious certification in green building.

March, 2018

IN THE NEWS

Wastewater Treatment Plant Utrecht More Sustainable with Royal Haskoningdhv’s Aquasuite® Software

EW Staff The Netherlands ROYAL HASKONINGDHV WILL implement Aquasuite® software at Utrecht sewage treatment plant in 2018. Utrecht operates one of the

largest sewage treatment plants in the Netherlands and once complete, will treat 84 million liters of sewage. Aquasuite® MINE will optimize the operation and maintenance of the Nereda® sludge line (430,000 PE) and the external sludge line (400,000 PE). This will enable the Stichtse Rijnlanden Water Authority, which owns the treatment plant, to operate more sustainably and to significantly reduce its sludge processing costs. With the smart Aquasuite®

software, Royal HaskoningDHV makes a significant contribution to public cost savings, sustainability, the circular economy and climate adaptation in the Dutch and international water chain. Aquasuite® is applied in more than 100 complex water systems throughout the world. The Aquasuite modules use self-learning algorithms for various purposes, including predicting the volume of sludge and its quality, self-regulating thickeners, centrifuges, chemical dosing and

ABB and TaKaDu to Strengthen Ho Chi Minh City’s Water Distribution System EW Staff Vietnam ABB AND TAKADU are providing a water management solution that will boost efficiency and reduce water leakage in Ho Chi Minh City, one of the world’s fastest-growing cities. Saigon Water Supply Corporation (SAWACO) is deploying ABB’s digital control and monitoring technologies together with TaKaDu’s Integrated Event Management Solution as part of its restoration of Ho Chi Minh City’s water distribution network. The ABB solution - ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus SCADA - will monitor and control the entire water distribution system and integrate TaKaDu’s Event Management Solution, which detects, ana-

March, 2018

lyzes and manages network events and incidents such as leaks, bursts, faulty assets, telemetry and data issues and operational failures. This massive urban project aims to increase efficiency, reduce water leakage, prevent disruptions and ensure everyone has access to clean water in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam’s economic powerhouse. Last year, Ho Chi Minh City lost nearly 30 percent of its potable water to leaking and damaged pipes. ABB’s and TaKaDu’s complementary solutions will enable SAWACO to monitor the network conditions digitally through multiple data collection points, such as sensors and meters, and offer actionable insights to reduce non-revenue water. SAWACO will then be able to increase the amount of water delivered

to the city’s industries and eight million residents. At a first estimate, SAWACO will hit 50 Mio m³/year of water savings, equivalent to 20,000 Olympic-size swimming pools, while production cost savings could be higher than 10 MUSD a year. “We’re excited to partner with ABB on this project in one of Asia’s most dynamic countries,” said Amir Peleg, TaKaDu’s Founder & CEO. “By converting raw data into knowledge, we can help SAWACO reduce hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of non-revenue water lost per day while significantly improving its operational efficiency.” ABB is a leading provider of integrated power & automation solutions with experience in partnering with energy and water industries.

sludge transport. According to Danny Traksel - Director Business Development at Royal HaskoningDHV - there will be an annual 10% reduction of operating costs at Utrecht sewage treatment plant. Traksel: "Due to the integrated approach and predictive, adaptive management of the entire sludge line, we will be able to save hundreds of thousands of euros per year. And because no two sewage treatment plants are the same, Aquasuite MINE is equipped

with a self-learning function. This enables the self-learning sludge line to adjust to changes in the sludge's composition, demographic trends and climate changes." In 2017, the Vallei and Veluwe Water Authority also signed up to have its Aquasuite® platform enhanced to include these sludge self-learning modules. The controller for managing the Amersfoort Sewage Treatment Plant's sludge line will be installed and commissioned in 2018.

Hagihon and TaKaDu Renew Contract for Another 3 Years Jerusalem’s water corporation has been using TaKaDu since 2010 for leak detection and increased water efficiency.

EW Staff Jerusalem JERUSALEM WATER CORPORATION Hagihon has extended its agreement with TaKaDu. It has been using TaKaDu as its main tool for water loss reduction since 2010, with significant cost savings. Hagihon has been able to respond faster to every type of event, including hidden leaks. Dani Gombosh, Deputy CEO, for Water, Hagihon, said, “We’re implemented TaKaDu across the entire metropolitan area of Jerusalem, giving us actionable insights. For example, the TaKaDu system

recently detected a leak in a specific area of the city. We quickly understood that it was in a private household and immediately alerted the customer, preventing further damage and an increased water bill.” Gombosh continued, “TaKaDu enables us to focus on events which are more important or have the most impact on our water system. Sharing and cross-referencing the events across departments helps us to improve operational efficiency across the board, from customer service to repair maintenance and asset management.”

EXPRESS WATER

IN THE NEWS

KSB Pumps Wins Euros 55 Million Order to Supply Primary Coolant Pumps to NPCIL EW Staff Haryana WITH THE INDIAN Government’s ambitious growth plans in the energy sector, and the aim to raise contribution in indigenous manufacturing under “Make in India” initiative, M/s Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has awarded an order worth Euros 55 million (Rupees 4130 million) to KSB Pumps Limited for the supply of eight primary coolant

pumps - RSR 400/2 and relat-

ed accessories. These pumps will be installed at NPCIL’s Gorakhpur Anu Vidyut Pariyojana 1 & 2 project in Haryana. With the completion of the initial technical as well as commercial formalities, manufacturing the pumps will commence at KSB’s Energy Pumps Division in Shirwal, near Pune. Delivery of these pumps is expected to commence in June 2021 with a target to complete the order by March 2023.

KSB Pumps Ltd has pioneered the indigenous manufacture of vertical canister pumps and boiler feed pumps for supercritical power plants, some of which have already been supplied or are at the dispatch stage. Nuclear Power Corporation has embarked on an ambitious program of 12 PHWR 700 MW projects at various locations throughout the country, including the No. 2 project at Gorakhpur for which KSB Pumps Ltd have

taken up the challenge of manufacturing the primary coolant pumps in India. For the Gorakhpur and future projects of NPCIL, KSB Pumps Ltd is now geared up to supply the primary coolant pumps following receipt of this order. The company will also be able to manufacture the main feed water pumps for the new projects at the Energy Pumps Division, should this part of the project be secured by KSB Pumps Ltd.

Chinese Smart Cities Project Uses SonicSens EW Staff China IN CHINA, A national project which aims to incorporate the wireless monitoring of most municipal facilities, including wastewater has chosen the SonicSens ultrasonic level sen-

sor from HWM to help achieve this. The integration of modern technologies as solutions to many of the challenges faced by big cities is a growing trend in China. According to Economic Information Daily, more than 500 Chinese cities are expected to have started transformations

into becoming ‘smart cities’ by the end of 2017. Smart cities can use electronic data monitoring and the Internet of Things (IoT) to efficiently manage transportation, utilities, healthcare provision, education and more. SonicSens uses ultrasonic

technology for remote monitoring of open channels, combined sewer overflows, storm drains, storage tank levels and flood warning systems. As part of the national project, SonicSens is currently being used in a variety of Chinese cities including Beijing, Jinan, Zibo, Nantong,

Guangzhou, Nanchang and Zhongshan. SonicSens was recently demonstrated in the city of Wuzhen as part of the recent annual World Internet Conference, which has been hosted there for the past four years.

Veolia to Supply World’s Largest Discfilter System to City of Houston, Proving Everything Really is Bigger in Texas

Salher® Opens its First Branch Office in Malaysia

EW Staff USA

EW Staff Malaysia

THE EXISTING TRAVELING bridge filters at the 69th Street WWTP needed replacement. A team of the City’s employees and their local consultant evaluated proposals to replace the filters. The team reviewed capi-

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tal and long-term O&M costs in order to select a manufacturer based on the overall best value. Another key factor for Houston in the selection process was the efficiency of equipment in regards to operation and maintenance over the course of the technology’s lifecycle. Veolia’s Hydrotech

Discfilter system was determined to be the best value and was selected for the City’s tertiary filtration treatment upgrade. The 440 MGD peak daily flow tertiary Discfilter system is designed to handle influent with a peak TSS of = 100 mg/L, and produce an average monthly effluent of = 10 mg/L.

SALHER® HAS STARTED the year 2018 with the opening of a branch office in Kuala Lumpur. The company had already collaborated in important water treatment projects in the country and with this important step demonstrates

once again its interest in the international expansion to adapt its efforts to cover the needs of each client. Salher® is a reference company in the treatment of urban wastewater and industrial wastewater, separation of hydrocarbons and oily water, greywater reuse and water purification.

March, 2018

IN THE NEWS

ANDRITZto Upgrade Evaporation Plant at Stora Enso’s Enocell Mill in Finland

Xylem Announces Acquisition of EmNet,LLC

Start-up of the upgraded evaporation plant, which was originally delivered by ANDRITZ in 1992, is planned for the 3rd quarter of 2019.

EW Staff USA

EW Staff Finland ANDRITZ HAS RECEIVED an order from Stora Enso to increase the capacity of the evaporation plant of their

Enocell Mill in Finland. The upgrade to the existing evaporator train, using ANDRITZ’s lamella evaporation technology, will increase the mill’s black liquor evaporation capacity from 600 origi-

nally to 800 t/h. The proven ANDRITZ lamella technology utilized for the evaporator’s heating surface provides for a high heat transfer while being extremely easy to clean, thus maximizing plant availability and minimizing the time required for washing of the heating surface. The ANDRITZ scope of supply includes two new evaporation units, additional surface condensers and the related piping and erection work. Enocell Mill is part of Stora Enso’s Biomaterials division and will be converted entirely to produce around 430,000 tons of dissolving pulp per year.

XYLEM INC HAS acquired EmNet, LLC, provider of smart solutions that enable municipalities to manage the urban water cycle and wastewater and stormwater systems. This addition further expands Xylem’s growing portfolio of advanced infrastructure analytics solutions and capabilities. Financial terms were not disclosed. EmNet’s expertise in realtime decision support systems (RT-DSS) was developed as a multidisciplinary approach to solve the toughest watershed and collection system challenges. Their open architecture platform, called BLU-X, brings the power of big data analytics in real time to water and wastewater systems management. “We are very pleased to welcome EmNet to the Xylem fami-

ly,” said Patrick Decker, Xylem President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is an important addition to our smart infrastructure portfolio because it significantly increases our ability to help customers manage their wastewater network and stormwater systems, areas of growing concern. Cities and utilities around the world are trying to effectively manage the challenges of aging infrastructure with limited resources. EmNet is leveraging technology to provide more effective solutions that actually improve their customers’ overall economics.” “We couldn’t be more pleased to be joining Xylem,” said Luis Montestruque, President and Chief Technology Officer of EmNet. “Joining Xylem empowers our team to greatly accelerate our progress and expand our mission to a global scale.”

IDE Technologies to Open Two ‘Wastewater Reuse Demo Facilities’in California The demo facilities will utilize IDE’s advanced water reuse processes to demonstrate a safe and efficient water supply.

EW Staff USA IDE TECHNOLOGIES HAS announced that its technology will be used in two new wastewater reuse demo facilities in California: The Central Coast Blue Advanced Water Purification Demo Facility, in partnership with the City of Pismo Beach, and the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center Demo Facility, in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern

March, 2018

California and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. As California has been severely impacted by drought and the state continues to face a shortage of groundwater, advanced water reuse is proving to be a sustainable alternative for a clean and safe water source for groundwater replenishment in the state. For the Central Coast Blue Advanced Water Purification Demo Facility located in the City of Pismo Beach, IDE will demonstrate an energy-effi-

cient solution with reduced chemical consumption to produce purified water. The facility will have a capacity of 58,000 gallons of water per day. It will allow IDE to demonstrate and test its proprietary recycled water process, Ecological Reuse (Eco-Reuse). As told to Express Water, this Eco-Reuse process is designed to optimize performance while minimizing costs. It uses a proprietary preventative maintenance approach without the use of chloramine

and hence avoiding the formation of NNitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) - an organic contaminant suspected as carcinogenic. IDE will demonstrate its reverse osmosis (RO) process for wastewater reuse in the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center Demo Facility located in Carson. Once wastewater is discharged from homes, businesses and industries, it will be cleaned and treated then sent to advanced water treat-

ment plant for further purification. The facility will have a capacity of 500,000 gallons of water/day. IDE’s RO will be integrated into a novel process using membrane bioreactors (MBR) as a pretreatment to RO to remove tiny particles, biodegradable pollutants and nitrogen compounds. The RO system will then be used to remove suspended and dissolved components, such as bacteria, viruses, pharmaceuticals and salts, eliminating more than 99% of all impurities.

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COLUMN

MARKET INSIGHTS

The Potential for Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Treatment Systems in Europe Frost & Sullivan

Deepthi Sugumar GROWING INDUSTRIALIZATION COMBINED with a rapid increase in population & urbanization has resulted in pressure on limited water resources. As a result, municipal and industrial segments are encouraged to move towards a circular economy of water reuse through use of advanced treatment technologies such as membranes. Nearly one-fifth of global population is inhabited in water scarce areas and in some cases also experience high industrial activity and rapid urbanization. Water reuse will play an indispensable role as it offers resilience and enhances water security. It also reduces the stress on groundwater and freshwater resources. Besides being a sustainable water source, water reuse in industries can bring down the direct cost of water and decrease the already overstretched capacity of urban wastewater treatment plant. There are many technologies for treating water and wastewater of which membrane technologies have been garnering momentous interest because of its reliability

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and ability to produce highquality water. Many countries like US, Japan, Singapore and as well as regions like Europe have always used advanced membrane technology for treating water and wastewater both in the industrial and municipal segment. As many states and cities across the globe are addressing sustainability, water reuse will become an integral part of sustainability and membranes technologies will play a crucial role in addressing the same. Europe has been a leader in employing membrane technology in some of the circular economy shaped water and wastewater treatment projects. The water & wastewater treatment market in Europe is driven by legislations in drinking water as well as wastewater treatment. In the context of drinking water, the treatment episodes of bacteriological contamination and agricultural run-off in the late 90s have led to a significant number of membrane installations for drinking water across the Europe. Focus on industrial wastewater lies in water reuse and recycling, especially in Southern and Mediterranean regions. Energy efficiency of membrane treatment systems has amassed greater attention in recent times with many companies investing capaciously in research and development for energy efficient membrane treatment systems. According to findings of Frost and Sullivan, key market drivers for the membrane industry in Europe - membrane price, membrane replacement (due to signifi-

cant installed base in the municipal and industrial segment), plant refurbishment & upgrades, and stringent discharge regulations. Due to stringent regulation in Europe, specialized membranes will always be on demand to treat wastewater for reuse and safe disposal of the treated effluent in water bodies of sensitive areas. Frost and Sullivan estimates the total membrane systems market for water and wastewater treatment in Europe with an overall size of $1.33 Billion in 2016. The installed base of all countries in Europe, mainly in the municipal segment indicates growth opportunity for replacement, refurbishment, and upgrades. The growth rate in municipal segment is sporadic and is attributed to fewer but highvalue membrane based water and wastewater treatment projects in a year. For example - 90 MLD ceramic membranes municipal drinking water plant in South West England is first combined technology planned to be installed in the UK. The industrial segments will have fewer large capacity plants, however, there is a constant need for highly efficient membrane treatment technologies to meet stringent discharge regulations. Countries such as France, Germany, Netherlands, and UK can be considered as prospective replacement market. Germany especially has a significant installed base of ultrafiltration membranes for treating potable water and backwash water as well. Italy will have more membrane

based decentralized systems mainly in small municipalities along the coastal regions as it is heavily gearing up to comply with EU regulations. It is also predicted that core membrane investments are likely to shift from Western to Eastern Europe attributable to focus on upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure to meet EU standards. The microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes are prominent amongst the municipal water treatment segment mainly for its suitability to remove key impurities, especially microorganisms, compared to other conventional filtration equipment. These membranes have always reported higher water reuse and recovery as well. As far as Europe is concerned, it is a water surplus region and the Mediterranean region is home to membrane-based desalination market. In recent times, Ceramic membranes have particularly proven to be a promising alternative technology for its low fouling tendency, longer lifespan, and scarcer operational difficulties. Most importantly, ceramic membranes are particularly suited for tackling harsh industrial wastewaters. As of now, polymeric membranes are still widely used, however, ceramic membranes are gradually gaining traction on account of favorable TOTEX. Though CAPEX of ceramic membranes is high, from a TOTEX perspective, ceramic membranes have laudable credentials. Few ceramic membrane manufacturers predict that the CAPEX is likely to reduce

and follow a similar trend as that of the polymeric membrane which once was envisaging higher CAPEX. Besides being employed in municipal/industrial water and wastewater treatment, ceramic membranes are gaining prevalence in digestate treatment and landfill leachate in Europe. Although membranes systems are gaining a lot of mileage in Europe, membrane companies face the challenge of inadequate operation and maintenance skills resulting in end-user challenges. A major requirement for membrane to perform efficiently is that the influent/raw water quality should remain constant and plant should be operating under steady state condition. Failure to monitor raw water quality and lack of technical skills in plant operators result in membrane degradation, fouling, frequent cleaning and use of membrane cleaning chemicals leading to higher operational costs. Most industrial plants in Europe with membrane technology are automated and during breakdown, highly skilled, well-trained and experienced personnel are required to analyze and restore operations within a short period of time. Most end users scout for membrane treatment options that require minimum operator attention and have a longer lifespan. Thus, companies that can address these prevailing challenges with ease are expected to create an edge. Deepthi Sugumar is a Research Analyst at Frost and Sullivan @FrostSullivanEE

March, 2018

COLUMN

WATER WISE

Taxing Bathtubs,Reviving Rivers and Saving Turtles Impressions from the State level Jal Chaupal in Uttar Pradesh

Avinash Kumar DO YOU KNOW if you see turtles hanging around a river, it’s a sure sign that the river is living? Do you know that rivers retain their surface levels drawing from the groundwater? Can we ask the government to levy a small tax on the sale of bathtubs in this country? If nothing, it will force people to think about how much water they are using without bothering about its source! The last suggestion came from Vikram Singh, a Member of Legislative Assembly from Fatehpur Cantt constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Many such riveting and revealing insights surfaced during a meeting that I attended in Lucknow. The ‘State-level Jal Chaupal in Uttar Pradesh’ is an initiative to bring together activists working on water, community members, people from relevant government departments, and even religious saints, to deliberate on how to plan around water needs and thus ensure community ownership. It is also a platform to share the learnings of a

March, 2018

multi-country (Nepal, India, and Bangladesh) project around the Ganga river basin. In India, the project focused on three Gram Panchayats, each of two adjoining districts of Kanpur and Fatehpur. Barely a year old, the project focuses upon (i) looking at water through a gender lens, (ii) climate change and its impact, and (iii) water budgeting at the community level. The locations of the project are facing rapid decline (up to 6080 feet) of groundwater, and borewells chasing them deeper and deeper. Savita, a local community leader, revealed that women spent as much as 2 to 3 hours every day to fetch water, while the men were silent watchers for such an exhausting task. The process forced men and boys to acknowledge their responsibility of sharing the burden alongside women. The collective process generated an understanding of the linkage between loss of groundwater and drying rivers, and that rivers depend on groundwater to maintain their flow levels. This demanded a collective decision-making around different water needs for different purposes, initiating a process of water budgeting, considering all available sources - surface water, groundwater, and rainwater. Interestingly, the women launched a campaign around rainwater harvesting - ‘Har Ghar Akash Ganga’ - Ganga from the sky in each home. However, the need for a larger systemic change was also realized, to ensure large-scale water conservation.

Vikram Singh referred to Article 243G of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (enacted over two decades ago) which has mentioned that states ‘may’ transfer 29 services to the panchayats ensuring true devolution of power to the local governments. Thus, Uttar Pradesh had transferred only 16 of the services, but feebly. During extensive discussions on the dying rivers, people from varied walks of life talked about their ongoing engagement with the issue. A religious saint, Swami Vigyananada Saraswati from Fatehpur, shared how the district has five rivers flowing throughout the year, and yet it falls under the ‘dark zone’ of water availability. While Ganga is unable to revitalize groundwater within 100 feet of its vicinity, Yamuna is able to do it only when the river is flooded. The place has a peculiar topography that doesn’t allow land to be recharged (perhaps requiring in-depth research). He also recalled the existence of two more rivers, called Sasur Khaderi rivers no. 1 and 2, which dried long ago. He shared about several padyatras (travelling on feet) along the dried river beds; meeting and convincing people to revive these rivers, and allaying their fears around potential loss of agricultural lands. Reaching out to senior officials from district to state, he assured them that if they permitted the work, he would find laborers to work under MGNREGA, an employment guarantee programme. It took 6-7 years and several rounds of

negotiations when it began. Within a day, according to him, 9300 laborers were mobilized to work on the project. Today, river no.1 is revived with perennial water. The efforts won not just him, but the district officials several national awards. In the process, he also raised some serious thinking about our state dependent patterns of development where autonomous spaces for people have gradually disappeared which helped retain a resilience in traditional societies. Dr. Venkatesh Dutta from Ambedkar University, Lucknow talked about his own research around river Gomti, very often undertaking his own padyatras. His travels highlighted five aspects of river culture (namely, boat culture - which doesn’t exist anymore, village culture - which has an organized system around river water, women an integral part, sacred groves - thoughtfully planned by the riverside, and turtle culture including crocodiles - a sign of security of the river and need to be preserved). According to him, 55 km of the river has already died, while the state has undertaken a glamorous project of transforming the riverfront into a picnic spot for Lucknow citizens. Through several pictures of the riverfront in the making, he argued that there is a problem of hierarchy in our system, where engineers take precedence over the locals and those who have worked around the rivers. He described how we concretize river banks thereby

obstructing the natural way of storage of water underneath; by bringing perennial water inside, we forget that there is a natural pattern to rivers where lean flow during summers allows vegetation and breeding of species. A senior official emphasized on the need to look at government’s efforts and the challenges lying before them. The fact that the state alone had 52,000 Gram Panchayats with very limited funds, needed attention. She also mentioned how most of these funds are disbursed downstream, with the need for a bottom-up pressure towards their proper utilization. Such a rich discussion brought forth three key takeaways: (i) How do we integrate vital learnings from such a brief project in our ongoing programmes around community-led, gender-sensitive water planning; (ii) How do we do a larger systems thinking around conservation, revival and rejuvenation of our water bodies including rivers which are led by people and not planners; and (iii) How do we continue building on this larger space where people from different worlds get to meet and deliberate on common concerns, like water? This is the democratization process, which will certainly lead to many more changes than we have seen in the short life of a project so far. Avinash Kumar is Director Programme, and Policy at WaterAid India. Avinashkoomar

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PRODUCTS KSB

Endress+Hauser Endress+Hauser has announced the Picomag electromagnetic flowmeter, an in-line transmitter for measuring temperature and flow of conductive liquids in pipe sizes ranging from ½” to 2”, such as drinking and industrial water. It measures flow up to 198 gal/minute with ±0.5% full scale accuracy and ±0.2% repeatability, and temperatures from 14 to 158°F (-10 to 70°C) with ±4.5°F accuracy. The Picomag combines a sensor and transmitter in the same housing, with a 1.4-inch TFT color display showing flow, totalizer and temperature readings, as well as warning and alarm messages. Outputs include 4-20mA, pulse, switch and 2-10V. IO-Link connectivity provides flexible integration into automation systems. The Bluetooth wireless interface allows direct access to process and diagnostics data, and enables the user to configure the measuring device on the fly. The device can be operated and configured on Android and iOS devices via the free SmartBlue App. The flowmeter is ideal for use on process skids, where space is often limited, or in difficult to reach locations.

Alfa Laval

Led by PureBallast 3.1, UV ballast water treatment systems are challenging the notion that electro-chlorination is the default for large ballast water flows. Today’s UV systems compete easily in terms of footprint and energy efficiency, even at flows of 1000 m3/h or above. This adds to their long-standing operational advantages, which include a chemical-free process that poses no corrosion risk. The shift towards UV is evident in a string of recent orders won by PureBallast 3.1 in the large-flow range.

Emerson Emerson is expanding its Plantweb™ digital ecosystem with the launch of DeltaV version 14, a cybersecurity-certified control system designed to deliver

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KSB SE & Co. has presented its

ready-to-install self-cleaning Amaclean tank insert. Amaclean decreases the amount of stagnant water in the pump sump and reduces the need for maintenance and cleaning. In combination with select impeller types featuring in the wastewater pumps used, this tank insert eliminates the need for flushing valves. Amaclean’s patented design and gel-coated inner surface prevent waste and fibers contained in the wastewater from depositing in and at the lower parts of the structure.

new value in capital projects and make plant operations more connected and productive. The latest release provides significant innovations to the entire DeltaV architecture and was built with customers’ digital transformation initiatives in mind. This major

The tank itself is made of glass fibre reinforced polyester, which has a good chemical resistance. Steel reinforcement enhances anchoring in the concrete and transfers the weight-induced forces of the pumps, supported by the flanged bends, into the surrounding concrete jacket of the wastewater tank. All wetted parts are made of plastic-coated cast iron or corrosionresistant stainless steel. Amaclean is available in three sizes for wastewater sumps with an inside diameter of 1200, 1500 and 2000 mm.

dynamic and offer a high torque-overload ratio. They are perfectly suited for applications such as plastics processing, printing presses and servo pumps. With a flange size of 142 mm, the new motors deliver excellent torque density. Customers profit from more power with smaller space requirements. They can be combined with any of B&R's many gearbox options and shipped as pre-assembled motor-gearbox combinations. All motors from the 8LS series are offered with an optional digital encoder and optional safety functions.

Flexicon update to the DeltaV automation system includes several meaningful enhancements to eliminate costs and reduce complexity in capital projects, plus improve productivity during operations through enhanced access to production and equipment data, improved usability and greater security. Continuing to advance the impact of DeltaV Electronic Marshalling with CHARMs on capital project engineering, CHARM I/O Block takes CHARMs-which achieved more than one million deployments at more than 1100 sites in only five years-closer to the field. DeltaV will offer its users a new level of confidence and protection from cybersecurity threats by being one of the only systems to have a top-to-bottom cybersecurity certification.

B&R Automation B&R has taken the next step in development of its 8LS servo motors. Three newly designed size 5 motors in lengths A, B and C fill out the midrange of the 8LS product line. Compared to their predecessors, they offer more compact dimensions and improved thermal design. The new 8LS servo motors are highly

A new Stand-alone Dust Collector from Flexicon removes airborne dust from upstream processes, and discharges it into containers positioned below the collection hopper, protecting operators and improving plant hygiene, while eliminating material waste. The housing is equipped with a 15 mm diameter side inlet port, dual filter cartridges, a 1.5 kW fan motor, a 70 liter collection hopper with flanged slide gate valve and automated controls. Any upstream process that generates dust can be vented to the system through hard piping or a flexible connection, drawing dust onto dual filter cartridges. At timed intervals, an automatic reversepulse filter cleaning system releases short blasts of the compressed plant air inside the filters, causing dust build-up on the outer filter surfaces to fall into the hopper. The system's stainless steel housing and support structure, together with water-resistant controls and wash-down-duty fan motor, allow rapid cleaning or sanitizing of the entire unit between product runs.

March, 2018

MOVEMENTS Aegion Corporation

Brian Groody

Catherine Yang

Aegion Corporation has announced that Brian Groody has joined Aegion as President of its Corrosion Protection platform. Brian will have full P&L responsibility for the Corrosion Protection platform, which generated over USD 400 million in revenues in 2017. He will also focus on enhancing operational discipline while developing the platform’s long-term strategy. Brian most recently served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Strike, LLC, a large midstream engineering and construction firm, where he was responsible for leadership of their pipeline equipment business. Prior to Strike, Brian was President and CEO of Spitzer Industries where he led the company’s growth strategy in the upstream, midstream and downstream energy construction markets. Brian’s career began with Schlumberger Oilfield Services where he held a variety of leadership roles in the United States, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Russia and Central Asia over a 17-year period, culminating with responsibility for operations in the Offshore Russia and Central Asia areas. Charles R. Gordon, Aegion’s President, and CEO said, “Brian’s broad global experience, focus on customer relationships and disciplined approach to achieving strategic goals uniquely qualify him for the role of Corrosion Protection President. I am

confident that Brian’s leadership, combined with the depth of the Corrosion Protection management team, position the platform for success in 2018 and beyond.”

March, 2018

Grundfos Grundfos Group had appointed Catherine Yang as new Regional Managing Director of its China Sales Region. In this function, Catherine will be based at the Regional Headquarters in Shanghai reporting to Executive Vice President Poul Due Jensen. She follows Humphrey Lau, who is now Regional Managing Director of Grundfos’ Western Europe Sales Region. Catherine Yang joins Grundfos from a previous position as Managing Director of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Asia, at United Technologies Corporation (UTC), in Shanghai where she has led the Commercial Refrigeration business in Asia with operations in several countries and regions. Catherine Yang has over 22 years working experience, including 13 years in China, 8 in the US, and 1 in the UK. Catherine Yang started her career as a software engineer in the telecommunications industry in the US. Later she became an investment banker at UBS in New York, where she advised corporate clients on corporate finance strategies and executed M&A and financing transactions. In the past 13 years, she has worked for UTC and has had a broad range of responsibilities such as leading various business development efforts in Asia as well as establishing and managing joint ventures in China,

India, Egypt and Latin American countries in collaboration with a leading Chinese appliance company. Catherine Yang holds a bachelor’s degree in computer sciences from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in information networking from Carnegie Mellon University. She also holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Catherine is bilingual in Chinese and English. She is a US citizen, born and raised in China.

KSB, Inc. Dr. Falk Schäfer has assumed his new role in the United States as Managing Director of KSB, Inc., which is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. With over two decades of experience, and having grown with the compa-

ny, Dr. Schäfer is equipped to support the KSB mission for optimum reliability and maximized performance. Dr. Schäfer began his career with KSB in 1994 as an industrial mechanic and spent the next two decades expanding his areas of expertise and growing with the company.

Having received his Mechanical Engineering degree in 2002 from the University of Applied Sciences in Kaiserslautern, Germany, he went on to complete his Ph.D. at the Institute of Fluid Machinery and Fluid Flow in 2007 while working as the Project Manager for Energy Efficiency of Pumping Systems with KSB Service GmbH in Frankenthal, Germany. In 2009, Dr. Schäfer became the Head of the SES System Efficiency Services Department, working to increase business volume before becoming Vice President of Engineering Services in 2013. While serving as the VP of Engineering Services, Dr. Schäfer took on the additional role in 2015 of Director of Pump Service and managed the KSB pump service center in Frankenthal, Germany.

Wolfgruber has a doctorate in chemistry, served as Chairman of the Board of Management of Altana AG, and has belonged to the supervisory body as a representative for stockholders since 2015. The new chairman will be elected by the Supervisory Board at its constituent, first meeting after the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in 2018.

Pamela Knapp is expected to be promoted as a new member of the Supervisory Board for LANXESS. She graduated in Economics and most recently served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for GfK SE, the listed market research company based in Nuremberg, Germany. Prior to that, she was active in various management roles at the Siemens Group.

Dr. Falk Schäfer

LANXESS

Dr. Rolf Stomberg

Chairman of Supervisory Board at LANXESS, Dr. Rolf Stomberg will resign from his office as a member and Chairman of the Supervisory Board after the end of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 15, 2018. Stomberg has recommended Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber to succeed him for the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

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COVER STORY

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March, 2018

COLUMN COVER STORY

URBAN WATER

Developing Alternative Water Supplies There are a variety of alternative water supply sources which cities have developed and encouraged to achieve urban water security including water recycling and reuse facilities, which collect, treat, and use wastewater. By Robert Brears

EVEN AFTER THE successful implementation of demand management strategies to balance rising demand with limited supplies of water, there are regions around the world where water scarcity requires the seeking of alternative water supply sources. There are a variety of alternative water supply sources which cities have developed and encouraged to achieve urban water security including water recycling and reuse facilities, which collect, treat, and use wastewater for irrigation and industrial purposes, as well as for domestic purposes if properly treated, grey water systems that use untreated water that has not come into contact with toilet waste for non-potable activities, and rainwater harvesting, which is the capturing and storing of rainwater for beneficial uses including irrigation.

let light ensuring any remaining organisms are eradicated. Because of its ultra-clean state, NEWater is used for industrial and air-con cooling purposes at water fabrication plants, industrial estates, and commercial buildings. NEWater is delivered to these commercial customers via a dedicated pipe network. During dry periods, NEWater is also added to the Public Utilities Board’s (PUB) reservoirs to blend with raw water. The raw water from the reservoir is then treated at the waterworks before being supplied to consumers as tap water. To educate the population on NEWater, PUB operates the NEWater Visitor Centre for all ages to show how NEWater is produced with daily interactive tours as well as educational workshops.

Singapore’s NEWater

Melbourne’s City West Water’s Recycled Water Project

Singapore’s NEWater process recycles treated used water into ultra-clean, highgrade reclaimed water. In total, five NEWater plants supply up to 40% of the city-state’s current water needs. By 2060, it is projected that NEWater will meet up to 55% of Singapore’s future water demand. NEWater is created from a three-step process involving microfiltration, where microscopic particles including bacteria are filtered out, reverse osmosis, in which contaminants are removed to create high-grade water, and ultraviolet disinfection, where water passes through ultravio-

In Melbourne, City West Water’s West Wyndham Recycled Water Project aims to deliver high quality, Class A recycled water to housing estates in the Wyndham area, as well as a number of open spaces managed by the Wyndham City Council (Class A recycled water can only be used for toilet flushing, car washing on grassed areas, garden watering, filling water features, providing drinking water for pets, and washing machines). Currently, recycled water – a mix of drinking water and recycled water – is supplied to around 3,750 homes in the area. The aim of

March, 2018

“

Even after the successful implementation of demand management strategies there are regions which need alternative water supply sources. the West Wyndham Recycled Water Project is to create a supply of 100 percent recycled water. The recycled water will come from Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant, where it will be further processed and sent to homes and open spaces in the Wyndham area through a dedicated ‘purple pipe’ recycled water system.

The Hamburg Water Cycle Hamburg Wasser is developing the HAMBURG WATER CYCLE (HWC), which entails the separation of the material flows of wastewater: blackwater (wastewater from toilets) is separated from the greywater (wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, and washing machines), rainwater is collected separately, while separated greywater can be cleaned with minimal energy consumption and either recycled for household use, such as watering the garden or flushing of toilets, or returned back to nature to replenish local waters. The HWC is being implemented in two locations

in Hamburg. The Gut Karlshöhe project is a 9-acre environmental theme park created by the Hamburg Climate Protection Foundation for educational purposes. The site will serve as an HWC exhibition site to demonstrate both in theory and practice how new approaches to closing the loop, including turning waste into a resource, can be developed. One of the features of the site will be the development of a wetland for greywater purification. Overall, the site will provide a comprehensive education for up to 140,000 people per year. On a largerscale, the HWC will be implemented as part of the Jenfelder Au project, which is a residential area of around 35 acres that will house around 2,000 residents. On-site, the HWC will be applied in approximately 630 residential units that will separate out blackwater, greywater, and stormwater.

City of Tucson’s Rainwater Harvesting Rebate To encourage the capture, diversion, and storage of rainwater for plant irrigation, Tucson Water in Arizona is providing rebates for qualifying rainwater harvesting systems up to $2,000 per property. To qualify, applicants must be Tucson Water customers and attend an approved Rainwater Harvesting Incentives Program Workshop that covers topics including what rainwater harvesting is, best methods to conserve potable water by utilizing rainwater harvesting systems, and

how to develop a rainwater harvesting project plan. There are two incentives available to applicants able to apply for both, provided the total does not exceed $2,000 for the combination per property. The first incentive is for simple/passive rain gardens, with applicants able to receive 50 percent of the costs of eligible materials and labor up to $500. Passive earthworks include directing and retaining water in landscapes, using site-appropriate practices including basins, berms, terraces, swales, infiltration trenches, and curb cuts. The second incentive is for complex/active rain tanks with rebates covering the cost of system based on a gallon per capacity of tank up to $2,000.

Conclusions Cities facing acute water scarcity can develop a variety of alternative water supply sources including: water recycling and reuse facilities that treat water to a high quality for industrial purposes, blending with reservoir water during times of scarcity or nonpotable domestic uses; greywater systems in new urban developments that recycle water for non-potable household use as well as replenish local waters; and rainwater harvesting systems to reduce demand for potable water for non-potable-required uses including irrigation. Robert Brears is the author of Urban Water Security, Founder of Mitidaption, and Our Future Water." @Mitidaption

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COVER STORY

WATER - DEMAND & SUPPLY ISSUES

70% of the World’s Population Will Live in Cities by2030,While 60% of Urban Settlements Remain to be Built By World Water Council (WWC) WITHIN A DECADE, 70% of the Earth’s population will live in cities. This reality places them at the forefront of sustainable development and facing global challenges, including climate change. In light of this, five organizations have joined forces to create greater support for these issues. Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), United

By 2030 there will be a 50% increase in demand for energy and water, requiring a water infrastructure capital investment of three times the current level. Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA/UNHabitat), the Brazilian Confederation of Municipalities (CNM) and the World Water Council (WWC) are bringing together decisionmakers, local leaders and practitioners to tackle local water challenges. This year, the United Nations has selected the theme Innovative Governance, Open Cities to

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highlight the importance of urbanization as a source of global development and social inclusion. Urbanization is one of the 21st century’s most transformative trends. Cities are the dominant force in sustainable economic growth, development, and prosperity in both developed and developing countries. Currently, 54% of the world’s population (4 billion people) resides in urban areas. By 2030, 2 billion people will have migrated to cities, placing unprecedented pressure on infrastructure and resources, particularly those related to water. The world’s ten biggest cities will include Tokyo (37.2 million), Delhi (36.1 million), Shanghai (30.8 million), Mumbai (27.8 million), Beijing (27.7 million), Dhaka (27.4 million), Karachi (24.8 million), Cairo (24.5 million), Lagos (24.2 million) and Mexico City (23.9 million). From 2016 to 2030, a 35% population increase is expected in these top ten mega-cities. Forecasts indicate cities in developing countries including Karachi, Lagos, and Dhaka will surpass cities like New York, Osaka, and Sao Paolo by 2030. This represents a 50% increase in demand for energy and water, generating challenges that exert pressure on water resources and threaten global water security. This has a palpable effect on public health, economies, and development. Local solutions for local problems are most suited

to meet these challenges. Furthermore, as more than three-quarters (76%) of the world’s mega-cities are coastal, there will be a considerable impact on water ecosystems from ridge to reef. Because of this, local and regional authorities lead initiatives targeting water-related obstacles, including housing gaps, climate change and an increased demand for food, energy, and water. Climate change, in particular, represents a daunting challenge for cities, as 40% of the world’s population will live in river basins under severe water stress, while 20% will risk floods by 2030. “Flooding and droughts have increased globally and the impact is devastating. Cities across the world are already experiencing effects of climate change. Infrastructure and houses are destroyed and we call on governments to be aware of the effects that adequate water infrastructure can have to improve or aid these situations,” comments World Water Council President, Benedito Braga. Financing needs should, therefore, be centered on urban areas and infrastructure in both urban and rural areas that serve these cities, driven by local needs for which local solutions are necessary. Numerous UN sanctioned global agreements compliment these actions including the Paris Climate Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, the Sendai Framework and the

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Water investment thus becomes a unifying factor in fostering healthier and more prosperous cities, offering impoverished populations a real chance at progress. “Water has a significant place throughout all these agendas. Local Authorities play an essential role in providing services to their citizens and in ensuring adapted and sustainable infrastructure for their residents,” stated Mohamed Boussraoui of UCLG during a session he moderated on resilient cities during the recent International Conference on Water and Climate (ICWC) held in Marseille on 3-4 October. Although much of the implementation of these agendas will be led by national governments, success will also rely on the commitment and empowerment of local and regional authorities to do their part. Cities and regions often lack guidance on how to achieve them locally, contribute to nationally set targets and implement concrete solutions. Mayors, and the networks they belong to, need to develop strategies to deliver and adopt integrated approaches to overcome political, financial, technological and behavioral barriers. “You can’t find a more intimate link to citizens than Local Authorities. This relationship of proximity can lead us to mobilize citizens and raise their awareness for issues like

By 2030 more than 40% of the world’s population will live in river basins under severe water stress and 20% of the population will be at risk from floods. no one else,” commented Mayor Fatimetou Abdel Malick, from Tevragh-Zeina, Mauritania during the recent ICWC conference. The signed Partnership Agreement will serve as an important stepping stone for the preparation and organization of the Local and Regional Authorities Conference to be held in conjunction with the World Water Forum between 18-23 March 2018 in Brasilia, Brazil. The World Water Council The World Water Council (WWC) is an international multi-stakeholder platform organization, the founder, and co-organizer of the World Water Forum. Headquartered in Marseille, France, and created in 1996, the World Water Council brings together over 300 member organizations from more than 50 different countries.

March, 2018

COVER STORY

Market Opportunities in Fixed Leak Detection will Only Increase with Aging Infrastructure Mark Nicol is the Senior Director of International Sales & Operations for Echologics. The Echologics is a subsidiary of Mueller Water Products Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water. Mayur Sharma recently interacted with him about various issues from smart water infrastructure, water supply systems to their latest leak detection technologies.

water pipelines to help address and resolve non-revenue water challenges. Throughout the past six years, I have witnessed how Echologics’ suite of non-invasive solutions has helped provide utilities with visibility of their water network system, which has translated into more efficient and effective operations. With the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) and predictive analytics, I am excited to continue applying my knowledge and experience to enable water operators to make smart decisions on existing water infrastructure and plan for the future.

What was the process behind ePulse?

Mark Nicol

What is your background? What led you to Echologics? Mark: After completing a Master’s degree in water modelling and management at the University of Reading, I went on to work for utilities (Thames Water) and consultants (Mouchel, Ranhill and AECOM) in the UK and Asia before my current stint at

March, 2018

Echologics as the Senior Director of Sales and Operations - International, where I am responsible for all business outside of the U.S. and Canada. I joined Echologics in 2011 as the Business Development Manager for Asia as I saw a real need in this region to empower utilities with improved knowledge of their

Mark: One of the challenges of maintaining water supply systems is that a huge part of the process takes place underground, out of view. Unlike pigging a line or cutting a section of pipe out to assess its condition, where both will result in service disruption, Mueller’s Echologics acoustic technology, offers a non-invasive pipe condition assessment method that provides water utilities with an accurate measurement of the remaining wall thickness of selected pipes in their water systems. Acoustic sensors are attached to existing contact points, such as fire hydrants,

valves or directly in contact with a pipe. A sound wave is induced in the pipeline and a pair of acoustic sensors capture the time it takes the sound wave to travel between two sensor stations. The speed at which the sound wave travels is dictated by the condition of the pipe wall. As the sound wave travels, it pushes water molecules toward each other. Because water is incompressible, the molecules push outward on the pipe wall. This places a microscopic flex on the pipe wall - and greater the flex, the weaker the pipe. Through this method, ePulse measures the actual strength of the pipe wall which is an ideal measure of actual pipe condition. Once the acoustic data is captured, Echologics’ engineers use patented algorithms to convert the data into a measure of the average minimum remaining wall thickness of the inspected pipe segment. For metallic and asbestos cement pipe, the calculated wall thickness measurement is compared to the original thickness of the pipe to determine the average percentage of wall loss. This technology is the industry’s first solution that can identify the condition of both transmission and distribution mains, while simultaneously searching for leaks all without the need for service disruptions.

How was the concept of soundwave technology developed? Mark: This concept development was catalyzed by a noticeable shift in asset managers’ mentality from passive to proactive decision making within the industry. Without going too much into the detail, Echologics’ founder and general manager, Marc Bracken, became aware of pipe condition assessment and leak detection technology in the early 2000’s when he was working with the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) and Aercoustics, focusing on the study of ground-borne vibrations. During this time, Osama Hunaidi, a researcher from NRCC was working on a study for American Water Works Association (AWWA), investigating the reasons why available leak detection methods did not work on plastic pipes. With both of them combining their knowledge and experience, the fruit of their labor saw the commercialization of LeakFinder RT system and put Echologics on the map in the world of acoustic-based leak detection and condition assessment for transmission and distribution water systems.

What are the limitations of this technology? Mark: ePulse technology offers survey-level inspection

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COVER STORY tribution network of over 35,000km, supplying water to 4.3 million customers and water recycling services to 5.5 million. Over a five-year Asset Management Period (AMP), our client was due to replace 402km of water mains in a drive to optimize financial returns for its pipeline replacement program. ePulse condition assessment was used to help determine if and when certain sections of pipe needed replacement. We found that a 198m section on the replacement plan was actually in good condition and did not need to be replaced. As this section ran under an environmental protection area, complexity of the work and risk of negative environmental impact would have added to the cost. This led to a direct cost saving of over USD 150,000, along with the added benefits of reducing the environmental impact, carbon footprint and disruption to local customers’ daily life.

Echologic's Field Specialist Determining Length of Pipe Segment for Inspection

and while it works on both small and large diameter mains and most pipe materials, it is not applicable on PE or PVC pipe. Having said that, Mueller Water Products has been relentlessly investing on research and development with the commission of its Echologics innovation site in 2015. Located beside the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, our R&D site aims at advancing innovations in water main leak detection and pipeline assessment technologies. With more than 600 meters of plastic and metallic water mains, trainers, researchers and staff are given the room to replicate real-world conditions that can affect leak detection and pipeline condition assessment.

What is the biggest challenge facing the leak detection industry? Mark: According to data presented by the 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) - an

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organization sponsored by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation, today, three out of every four of the world’s jobs depend on water. When you mash this data up with that of rapid population growth and existing climate change, water scarcity is not just a threat to us as individuals, but also to societies’ economic, political and social stability and well-being. Against this backdrop, we are seeing big data, IoT and artificial intelligence (AI) progressively making their way in, pushing the envelope and taking us into water’s digital future. Here is where the challenge lies: As exciting and promising as this sounds, the adoption of these digital technologies has not been fast enough, in part because of the non-competitive nature of the industry and an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. On the upside, driven by continued water regulations, increased customer expectations, and

the need to improve process efficiencies and performance, we already see some clients riding the digital revolution wave; it is a positive sign.

This technology can be seen a part of a wider move towards ‘smart cities’, what are your thoughts about an increasingly interconnected infrastructure network and why is this happening? Mark: In my opinion, the ultimate goal of smart cities is to warrant a sustainable future for generations to come, through an effective and efficient use of limited resources such as water, energy and safe housing, just to name a few. The increase in interconnected infrastructure network is a natural progress of the implementation of this goal. For the water industry, the disruption from IoT, cloud computing and big data analytics have helped to break down siloed operation, while integrating information and communication technologies

(ICT) into water management - forming the backbone of a smart water grid system. The key aspects of a smart water grid involve improving operations and processes through automation of water distribution system data to enable better decision making. Simply put, this is happening to ensure good quality water is supplied to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here, in Singapore, where we have a shrinking and ageing workforce, a smart water grid could well be the conclusive solution to enable streamlining of manpower.

Could you give an example of where Echologics has deployed its system and the results? Mark: ePulse has been deployed in many countries, but here’s a recent success story that comes to mind. This client is a water company which serves the second largest geographic area in the UK. They manage a water dis-

Where do you see the company going in terms of growth and future projects? Mark: The market opportunities that lie ahead in fixed leak detection and pipe condition assessment are already huge and will only increase with aging infrastructure and population growth. Utilities and water distribution companies are becoming more proactive because it’s costeffective, knowing the condition of pipe systems and finding leaks to fix is vital for this approach. Requests are coming in to conduct pilot test for pipe condition assessment and our fixed leak detection systems are being deployed globally. We are actively adding channel partners to provide coverage in new markets, all while reducing waste in the supply chain. To remain at the forefront of this industry, we will continue to build a foundation based on engineering and innovation.

March, 2018

COVER STORY

WATER - DEMAND & SUPPLY ISSUES

Driving Operational Efficiency and Reducing Water Loss in Israel Haifa’s water utility company Mei Carmel has one of the most complicated water grids in Israel. The network includes 600 km of water mains and over 100 different pressure zones. By TaKaDu COVERING A CHALLENGING area with a steep topographical terrain and serving about 500,000 people, Haifa’s water utility company Mei Carmel has one of the most complicated water grids in Israel. The network includes 600 km of water mains and over 100 different pressure zones. In April 2016, Mei Carmel initiated a pilot with TaKaDu’s Integrated Event Management solution to provide greater visibility of its water network and reduce water loss. Since deployment, TaKaDu has helped the Haifa utility to make huge improvements in its operations and efficiency levels and deliver significant NRW (non-revenue water) savings.

Business Need Founded in 2010, Mei Carmel spent the first three years dealing with malfunctioning infrastructure; the utility replaced over 120,000 water meters and established a control system. A couple of years later, Mei Carmel started a Water Loss

Reduction Process, led by Stav Avraham, Mei Carmel’s COO. Stav implemented a multi-disciplinary program combining engineering, design, reorganization and technological steps focused on long-term water loss reduction. Mei Carmel proceeded to take active measures to cut down on water loss. A dedicated team was established with a specific budget, defined assignments and scheduled weekly meetings. Mei Carmel set up main zone DMA (district metered areas) installations, meter transmissions, ‘back to back’ AMR (automatic meter reading) with supply connections and acoustic sensors for real data, including night flows and basic balance. With access to real data, the team found the main causes for water loss to be the faulty measurements of water sources, unmetered landscape irrigation connections, water theft, unobserved pipeline bursts and incorrect consumer meter readings. Leaks were still mostly discovered through regular checks.

Graph Showing the Start of the Event in TaKaDu

March, 2018

In early 2016, Mei Carmel took a decision to take further measures to improve its water efficiency. Although proud of its low water loss levels, it understood the value of harnessing data to gain further insights into network events. Mei Carmel turned to TaKaDu’s Event Management Solution to enable them to monitor the water network automatically and provide early detection of ‘incidents’ without being dependent on manual feedback from the field. Following a successful pilot, the utility signed a three-year contract with TaKaDu in June 2017. Today Mei Carmel has over 80 DMAs and control zones with the entire network covered by TaKaDu’s integrated event management solution.

Solution TaKaDu - The ‘Umbrella’ Management Layer, Managing the Flood of Data Realizing that the huge amount of data, generated by several sources, could no longer be handled separately, Mei Carmel started using TaKaDu as its daily network management platform. TaKaDu oversees an implementation process involving different technologies, such as acoustic leakage sensors, meters, water balance and pressure monitoring, and a range of engineering decisions. Acting as the ‘umbrella’ layer for all events, TaKaDu provides in-depth insights into the

network’s events and incidents, including leaks, bursts, changes in water pressure and faulty assets. Integrated at the highest level, TaKaDu enables every event and anomaly to be detected, analyzed, managed and resolved as quickly as possible. For example, TaKaDu has enabled Mei Carmel to detect hidden leaks (see the example below), extract nightline trends for identifying leaks before they turn into bursts and carry out individual water loss analysis by examining deviations from fixed patterns. TaKaDu’s software is also integrated with Mei Carmel’s Customer Call Center and other departments, ensuring cross-organizational coordination on an ongoing basis. The TaKaDu system provides managerial dashboards, actionable insights and detailed reports to management teams, enabling smarter decisionmaking.

a hidden creek outside the residential area - a place where no one usually goes - saving Mei Carmel approximately US$90,000. Pressure Decrease Event TaKaDu detected a reduction in pressure in a PRV (pressure relief valve) located between two reservoirs. The valve needed to be opened to clean one of the reservoirs, but the maintenance team had forgotten to close back the valve and TaKaDu alerted to an anomaly in the behavior of the data. Mei Carmel thought that something was wrong with the meter, however, after checking the meter, they saw that it wasn’t the problem. TaKaDu continued to send an anomaly alert. Mei Carmel then got another alert regarding an increase in the level of the reservoir, and, together with the TaKaDu alert, understood what happened. They sent a member of the team to open back the valves and the event was resolved.

Event Examples Hidden Leak Event TaKaDu’s software showed a major leak in the city of Haifa through a significant flow increase in one of the areas. A field team was dispatched to the area and they proceeded to find and repair two small leaks. Although it was assumed that the problem was solved, TaKaDu continued to report a flow increase. The field team was sent again to investigate more deeply. This time, they found a huge leak in

Results By taking a holistic approach to water efficiency, Mei Carmel has implemented an effective PPT (People, Processes, and Technology) strategy using TaKaDu. Mei Carmel has made huge improvements in its operational efficiency levels and reduced its NRW loss. TaKaDu’s tangible and intangible benefits include: • Repairs Validation: Ensuring that a leak has

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COVER STORY

WATER - DEMAND & SUPPLY ISSUES Contract Extended

Graph Showing the Reduction of Water Loss at Mei Carmel (2009-2017)

•

been successfully repaired by monitoring the event lifecycle from start to finish. Events are closed in the system only after TaKaDu has verified that it has been fixed and the usage pattern has returned to normal. Leakage Awareness Time: Detecting small leaks within hours and trend leaks which wouldn’t have been identified otherwise Reduction in Analyst Time: Providing automatic alerts, an intuitive user interface and a variety of graphs and reports. Previously, Mei Carmel’s analyst would have spent a full working day preparing a report with specific information per DMA. Avoiding Collateral Damage: Detecting growing leaks before they become failures and bursts and reducing outages of critical facilities Improved Network Operations: Identifying breaches between DMAs, saving pumping energy and detecting network operation failures via the detection of abnormal flows or pressures Visibility of Network Availability: Increasing system up-time through the ongoing monitoring of sensors and telemetry Maintenance Cost Savings and Shorter Repair Cycles: Via the early detection of network inefficiencies and a centralized view

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• Improved Customer Service and Customer Satisfaction: Leading to reduced service interruptions and faster response times • Regulatory Compliance: Enabling objective visibility into KPIs, network metrics, and operational activities through dashboards

• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Information is shared with representatives from different departments • Enhanced Prioritization: Enabled by the granular view of network issues and capabilities, events can be sorted based on priority and specific need.

“

The implementation of TaKaDu at Mei Carmel proved to be perfect timing. Firstly, this was due to the quantity and quality of data gathered from the water network, which required extensive and complex analysis, and was difficult to manage manually and prioritize.TaKaDu's analytical tools were able to take in the vast amount of information and gain real operational value. Secondly,Takadu is an open platform for any new data sources being added, such as pressure control, acoustics sensors and more, enabling crossreferencing of information and focused decision-making.Thirdly,TaKaDu allowed us to follow night line targets and cross-check them with historical nightline behavior.This proved to be a very efficient way to monitor network performance, such as identifying network leaks and other anomalies, and to solve the problem rapidly, reducing water loss. Stav Avraham COO, Mei Carmel

Mei Carmel also extended its contract with TaKaDu for three years. This was followed from the successful one-year use of the service where TaKaDu enabled Mei Carmel to reduce NRW (non-revenue water) levels and improve its operational efficiency. Mei Carmel now uses TaKaDu as a daily network management platform to oversee and manage an implementation process involving different technologies, such as sensors and meters, and a range of engineering decisions. The TaKaDu platform has provided greater insights into network events throughout the Haifa vicinity, including leaks, bursts, water pressure changes and faulty assets. Stav Avraham, COO of Mei Carmel, says, “TaKaDu has helped us to make huge improvements in our operations and efficiency levels as well as reduce water loss. Acting as the ‘umbrella’ layer for all events, TaKaDu manages all our technology implementations and gives us greater visibility of our water network. It’s also integrated with our customer call center and other departments, ensuring cross-organizational coordination on an ongoing basis.” TaKaDu’s automated cloudbased service enables utilities to detect, analyze and manage network events and incidents such as leaks, bursts, faulty assets, telemetry and data issues, operational failures and more. The system provides managerial dashboards, actionable insights and detailed reports to management teams. Ziv Zaretsky, EVP Sales and Operations of TaKaDu, says, “Mei Carmel, one of the most advanced utilities in Israel, has integrated TaKaDu at the highest level. Every event is managed and resolved as quickly as possible, with proven water and energy savings.” Zaretsky continues, “Mei Carmel offers an excellent case study of the benefits of taking a holistic approach to water

TaKaDu has helped the Haifa utility to make huge improvements in its operations and efficiency levels and deliver significant NRW (non-revenue water) savings. Mei Carmel has made huge improvements in its operational efficiency levels and reduced its NRW loss. efficiency, by combining people (managers), new processes and a unique technology.” Data Driven Actions Amir Peleg, Chairman, The Smart Water Networks Forum (Swan), and Founder & CEO of Takadu was recently recognized by a leading publication in their list of Top 25 Global Water Leaders. TaKaDu is a global software provider of Integrated Event Management solutions for the water industry. Our automated cloudbased service enables utilities to Detect, Analyze and Manage network events and incidents such as leaks, bursts, faulty assets, telemetry and data issues, operational failures, and more. Converting raw data into knowledge, TaKaDu provides visibility and actionable insights for increased operational efficiency and water loss reduction. TaKaDu offers water utilities more than just detecting leaks or faulty PRVs (pressure relief valves), it provides information to improve operational performance by focusing on events which are more important or just have the most impact on your water system.

March, 2018

COVER STORY

Modern Pumps Boost EnergyEfficiency in Drinking Water Supply The reductions achieved in power consumption totalled 21%, with 18% being attributed to the pump motors and 3% to the hydraulically optimized piping. By Bryan Orchard Study

The Hart Machine House is the Centrepiece of Facilities of Ruhstorfer Group, a Water Supply Company Based in Lower Bavaria. It Employs Pumps Driven by Synchronous Reluctance Motors Capable of Achieving Optimum Efficiencies Even in Part Load Operation. (Photo Courtesy: KSB)

FOR THE RUHSTORFER Group water supply company in Germany ensuring a secure water supply for its customers is the absolute priority. This is closely followed by a wish to reduce power consumption of the pump motors in their main pumping station. Following the replacement of the original pumping system in 2016 and commissioning of a new facility, measurements indicate that energy consumption has dropped by around 20%. The Ruhstorfer Group supplies drinking water to around 12,000 households in the region around the spa towns of Bad Füssing and Bad Griesbach, home to around 40,000 inhabitants as well as accommodation for approximately 8,000 visitors. The Hart machine house, commissioned in 1975, is the central element in drinking water pumping station and its task is to balance the supply pressure and the fill level in two distant water towers, each

March, 2018

with a capacity of around 2000 m³. The source of the drinking water is two wells in the regions around Osterholzen and Aigener Forst. Although the number of households to be supplied has increased since 1975, water consumption over the last two decades has not risen at the same rate: When viewed in conjunction with the number of households being supplied, this development in water consumption volume suggests that consumers have become more economical, and that water consumption has dropped thanks to more efficient household appliances. The Ruhstorfer Group delivers between 2.5 and 2.8 cubic meters of drinking water annually into the 75km long supply network, with 80% of this amount is supplied by the pumping station in the Hart machine house.

Ambitious Energy-Saving Goals Following Energy

Although a complete overhaul of pumping equipment was not considered necessary in 2016, the operators had their eyes on the future: “After a long operating period the system as a whole was starting to show its age, and we wanted to expand our focus to include energy efficiency as well as reliable water supply,” explains Armin Bauer, plant manager for the Ruhstorfer Group. As part of an energy study, 50 % of which was financed by the German government, the Bavarian water supply company checked its network for possible leaks and analyzed its facilities to determine their energy efficiency. Reissnecker and Eberhart, the Regensburg-based engineering company contracted to perform the study, developed a set of energy-saving measures. “We presented the results of the study and our aim of implementing the proposed measures to the Group’s board members. The equipment in the Hart machine house was in need of modernization in the medium term due to evidence of cavitation damage caused to the pumps and the age of the piping which dates back to the system’s early days,” reports Armin Bauer. Further projects from the energy study were implemented alongside these measures. This enabled the Ruhstorfer Group to obtain DIN EN ISO 50001 certification as it continued its consistent endeavors to

achieve energy savings. “As well as securing reliable water supply, the principle planning criteria were energy efficiency and potential reductions in electricity costs,” says Michael Reissnecker.

Hydraulically Optimized Piping Geometry with Matching In-Line Pumps The first stage was extensive planning work covering more than just pump selection. The existing pumps’ cavitation damage occurred because the connecting pipework had to include bends, leading to turbulent flow. The modernization plan, therefore, included a renewal of the piping system that would allow for the system’s hydraulic optimization. Working together with the operators, the engineering company planned for the pump station’s entire piping system to be situated on one level so that pipe bends leading from floor to floor could be avoided. This design required

the availability of high-efficiency in-line pumps whose discharge and suction nozzles lie in a straight line of piping. The design requirement was met by the installation of KSB Omega pumps with SuPremE® motors and the PumpDrive variable speed system. The pump casings were installed vertically to ensure optimal hydraulic properties. “This explains why the pump motors are installed vertically at the top of the high-pressure pumps rather than on their sides as is usual,” says Miriam Nagler, the consultant for water/ wastewater applications at KSB. This meant that hydraulically optimized piping geometry could be achieved despite the facility’s spatial constraints.

“Pumps Must be Capable of Flexible Operation” On average, the pump system comprising three vertical high-pressure pumps delivers 75 l/s into the supply network;

The Vertically Installed In-line Pumps from KSB’s Omega Series Can be Connected to DIN 300 Piping System in a Straight Line, Enabling a FlowOptimized Connection. Variable Speed Systems Match the Flow Rate to the Actual Demand. (Photo Courtesy: KSB)

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COVER STORY

PumpMeter, the Digital Display and Analysis Unit, Shows the Technical Operating Personnel the Pumps’ Operating Data at a Glance and Helps Them Check Whether the Pumps are Running at Optimum Efficiency. (Photo Courtesy: KSB)

the flow rate varies across a performance range of 75 to 115 l/s. In order to determine pump sizing, the consultant engineers worked with the water supply company’s technical staff to measure the as-is volume flow rates and use this data as a basis for selecting the pumps. “Precise data for pump selection can only be obtained if the system’s actual operation is analyzed. This allows new pumps matching the optimum operating point to be selected. A central criterion in planning the system was that the new pumps could be operated extremely flexibly and achieve good hydraulic efficiency levels across their entire speed range,” explains Reissnecker. The KSB PumpDrive variable speed system continuously adjusts the output power of the 110 kW pump motors to

Energy-Efficiency in Water Supply: The Drive Technology of Synchronous Reluctance Pump Motors Reduces Pump Power Consumption by Around 20% in a Drinking Water Pumping Station Operated by Ruhstorfer Group Water Supply Company. (Photo Courtesy: KSB)

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match the operating point depending on demand. “This demand is determined by the fill level in the water towers and the current consumption levels in the network. The system’s previous configuration with smaller pumps and limited speeds did not allow for demand-driven operation during most operating conditions, two pumps provided too much output, and one pump too little,” reports Alexander Hutterer, water manager for systems technology and energy management officer for the Ruhstorfer Group.

Pump Motors Offering High-Efficiency Levels, Even in Part-Load Operation The tender specified IE4class drives and this requirement could be met by the KSB SuPremE® motor range, whose gold colored housing are conspicuous in the Hart machine house. “Their ability to achieve high-efficiency levels in part load operation makes these motors particularly suitable for applications with fluctuating demand. These pump motors use synchronous reluctance motor technology which offers a clear advantage in terms of efficiency in part load operation when compared with conventional asynchronous motors,” explains Miriam Nagler. The IE4 requirements only refer to efficiencies achieved in full load operation, but in practice, this rarely occurs especially in applications with fluctuating demand. “In terms of supply reliability it was important for us that one pump alone could cover the water quantities required at the two lowest demand levels, but at the same time that the pumps could be run in part load operation without their efficiency being compromised,” explains Hutterer. The solution implemented represents the result of detailed planning work by the engineering company. Based on the selection data calculated, KSB’s technical consultan-

cy service was able to offer a guaranteed efficiency level for the pump system selected. “Contractor and pump manufacturer entered into a contractual agreement that the efficiency level promised is actually achieved in operation,” explains Michael Reissnecker. In order to ensure that the efficiency level offered did not turn out to be an empty promise, the customer requested KSB to simulate pump operation with the original pumps including motors and frequency inverters. This was undertaken in the certified test facility at KSB’s Halle factory using the measured hydraulic system data.

Modernization While in Operation The installation of the new pumps in autumn 2016 was accompanied by the renewal of the 40-year-old piping system. The straight pipework (DN 300) leading to the pump connection facilitated swift modification – a task that was already looking challenging for the water supply company’s staff and the specialist company performing the work: “Pump operation could only be interrupted for a maximum of six hours. That is how long it takes before the water towers are empty and at least one pump has to begin operation,” explains Hutterer. The engineering company developed a plan by which the installation work would be performed in stages. “Thanks to this pre-emptive planning, only a few brief interruptions to the station’s operation were necessary during the modification work. It was thus possible to complete the modernization in only two months without interrupting the region’s water supply,” reports specialist consultant Michael Reissnecker.

Energy Savings Exceed Expectations December 2016 saw the operators officially begin operation of the new 264,000 Euros pump equipment and piping system. Project staff

anticipated savings in pump power consumption of around 100,000 kWh/year. However, annual consumption projections based on performance measurements following the modernization indicate even larger savings, namely that consumption had dropped by over 20%, which raised a few eyebrows in the waterworks: “When the power consumption was initially recorded in the first month after commissioning, administrative staff enquired as to whether consumption levels this low might not be some kind of mistake,” recalls Hutterer. The reductions achieved in power consumption totalled 21%, with 18% being attributed to the pump motors and 3% to the hydraulically optimized piping. “As a future-oriented water supply company, we now consider power consumption alongside our focus on ensuring the reliability of sup-

ply. In terms of energy efficiency, the modernization also featured the installation of a photovoltaic system supplying 60.9 kWp for the facility’s use. Our upgraded pumping station can now most certainly be considered a great example of a modern system,” summarizes Armin Bauer.

About the Author Bryan Orchard is an international freelance journalist who specializes in water and environmental engineering.

Fact Sheet Project: Hart Drinking Water Pumping Station, Kirchham Water Supply Company: ZV Wasserversorgung Ruhstorfer Gruppe, 94060 Pocking, Founded: 1963 Measures Implemented: • Replacement of pumps and frequency inverters, • Replacement of piping system, • Installation of a photovoltaic system for the station’s power requirements (60.9 kWp) Aim and Results: • Securing reliable water supply, reducing costs for pump power consumption, improving energy efficiency • Pump system power consumption prior to modernization: 630,000 kWh/year • Pump system power consumption following modernization: 485,000 kWh/year (projection based on performance measurements) Specialist Planning: Engineering company Reißnecker & Eberhart Partnerschaft mbB, 93055 Regensburg Pump System: • KSB Omega V 150-460, with coating for drinking water systems • Design flow rate based on measured as-is operating data of the existing system: flow rate 90 … 120 l/s, head 57 … 72 m, variable speed operation • Pump motors KSB SuPremE®, efficiency class IE4, variable speed operation Pump System Manufacturer: KSB Aktiengesellschaft

March, 2018

COLUMN COVER STORY

KNOWING OUR WATERS

WhyWe Should All PayAttention to Cape Town’s Drought By Dean Muruven, IWC for the Australian Water Partnership (AWP)

“

…the worst time to respond to a drought is in the midst of one. At that point, there are few, if any, good options available to avoid the worst impacts of drought, and combined with enflamed passions and politics, reaching consensus on solutions is nearly impossible. THIS IS AN EXTRACT from an open letter to the US Senate from a coalition of sporting and conservation advocates in 2015 in response to the drought in California. Fast-forward to 2018 and these words sound as if they were written specifically about Cape Town. As a South African, I’ve been following Cape Town’s drought quite closely. In case

Source: ©WWF

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you haven’t, the city’s water crisis is now so severe that its taps are set to run dry in less than three months. WWF-South Africa have started releasing “weekly water updates” to help prepare residents for ‘Day Zero’ - the day when Cape Town will become the first major city on the globe to run out of the water. Since the onset of the drought, a lot has been written about the problems that exist in South Africa’s water sector, ranging from the ageing infrastructure, poor governance and the significant funding that will be required to address these challenges. None of these are unique to South Africa and many developing countries are faced with similar if not identical challenges. Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of finger-pointing and “I told you so’s” going around Cape Town at the moment, which is typical during a crisis. What is also typical is the fact that Ministries of Water and water utilities in other major cities around the world are

looking at Cape Town as a unique case rather than urgently sitting up and reflecting on how the lessons from this crisis should inform their own drought risk management strategies. Cape Town’s response to the drought has stuck to the traditional, reactive playbook. It is time for cities to transform their approach to drought risk management. We need to move away from an episodic emergency “all hands on deck” approach to a continuous process that proactively manages risk. At the heart of this transformation is the recognition that there are interdependencies between freshwater ecosystems and the well-being of human systems. What cities exposed to drought risk should be considering is how to develop a drought-resilient society, where individual needs and ecosystem services are safeguarded and economic impacts minimized during a drought. Obviously, this is easier said than done but taking a proactive approach to drought risk management will at least give us all a chance. Cape Town faces a new normal when this drought breaks. Things will be different for people, the economy, and nature. The city will have to change its strategy and so should all other cities at risk from drought. This is as good a time as any for them to review their strategic drought management plans. A good place to start is WWF’s book on strategic drought risk management, produced in collaboration with

Source: ©Martin Harvey / WWF the General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design (the strategic planning arm of China’s Ministry of Water Resources). It provides insights and distills eight golden rules for making the transition to a droughtresilient society. 1. Set multiple goals and objectives that promote positive long-term outcomes for society. 2. Encourage stakeholders from a variety of different sectors and realms to participate. 3. Implement a portfolio of measures to prepare for, respond to, and recover from drought and transform society’s resilience to drought. 4. Utilize limited resources efficiently and fairly to reduce risk and maximize opportunities. 5. Assess whole system behavior and associated risks and uncertainties over the shortand long-term. 6. Communicate risks (and

associated uncertainty) effectively and widely. 7. Understand inherent controversies and trade-offs. 8. Embed a continuous process of review and adaptation. These eight golden rules are no silver bullet, but they do provide guidance to help cities and governments develop a more strategic approach to dealing with drought. But achieving a water secure future and building resilient societies cannot be done by governments alone. It will require engaged water citizens and an active private sector, which understands and mitigates its water risk by promoting collective action and good water stewardship. It’s too late for Cape Town to implement the Golden Rules as their priority is to keep the taps running. Other countries still have time on their sides. The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is an Australian Government development initiative enhancing the sustainable management of water across the Indo-Pacific. @WaterPartnersAU

March, 2018

APPLICATION

Correct Application of MBBR & IFAS Technologyin Biological Water Treatment By Christian Börner and René Trübenbach

MBBR and IFAS Processes

THE DETAILED DESIGN and engineering of wastewater treatment plants is full of obstacles. Any mistakes made during the implementation can hardly be remedied. What is the reason? Worldwide, the MBBR as well as the IFAS technology are increasingly being applied for biological water treatment. Numerous qualified and wellskilled procedural biotechnologists with technical knowhow are available for the engineering of suchlike plants. However, it is not quite unusual that inexperienced plant construction companies as well as plastic manufacturers without any process-technological knowledge try to implement, or rather said to copy this technology based on collected information. The term MBBR is the abbreviation of Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor, while IFAS stands for Integrated Fixed film Activated sludge System.

March, 2018

At a first glance it seems to be easy: a reaction tank is filled with a plastic-made carrier which is mixed in water or in a water/sludge mixture, respectively. The difference between IFAS and MBBR is that in the IFAS system the activated sludge from the sludge recirculation is additionally used and hence the combination of activated sludge and carrierfixed biofilms is used in the same reaction tank volume. Which factors are important? Initially, the appropriate and complete task to be performed in the project in question has to be specified first. Apart from the space conditions and requirements on site, a detailed determination of the wastewater influent parameters and of the treated effluent quality is required. The size of the MBBR/ IFAS tanks and the related carrier media filling rate are determined based on the pollutant loads and in considera-

tion of specific product factors of the carrier media. Here, the loads are being calculated from the flow rate (m³/h or m³/d) and the respective pollutant concentrations, e.g. COD (mg/l). Crucial factors for the dimensioning of MBBR/ IFAS plants are the wastewater temperature at the design point, the yield and product specific removal rates (removal efficiency) of the carrier media chosen. Why is the water temperature relevant? For the design calculation as well as for the comparison of techno-commercial design proposals offered by different suppliers, a detailed consideration of the water temperature in the MBBR/IFAS is highly essential. An incorrect assumption of the water design temperature results in the following effects: If the design temperature is considered to be high, e.g. 35°C, a high biological removal

rate will be considered in the calculation and hence the carrier media requirement as well as the reaction tank volume will be low (favourable price offer). During normal plant operation, the relating result will be that at lower temperatures, e.g. at 25°C, the reaction tank volume and the quantity of carrier media will not be sufficient for complying with the

discharge requirements. In consequence, further media will have to be added whereas it is questionable if this will be possible at all with regard to the admissible media filling rate (max 50-70%). In case that the design temperature used for the calculation is considered to be low, e.g. 10°C, the tank size as well as the carrier media quantity will be correspondingly larger although the water temperature will most likely be higher in practice than assumed for the calculation. Larger tank volumes with higher carrier media fills are not negative in terms of the biological aspects, but they are unnecessarily increasing the investment costs (high price offer). In order to obtain the appropriate design for your MBBR/IFAS plants, it is necessarily required to determine the minimum and maximum design temperatures and to

Mutag MultiFlow 50 from 2002

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APPLICATION

Mutag Chip (14 mm) After R&D from 2008

simultaneously make sure that these values have really been taken into consideration. For reasons of “competitiveness”, the real requirements are often not taken into consideration by the bidder. In case of certain missing data, it also happens that assumptions are made by the bidder in his own favor, without having explicitly asked the customer for providing the missing data. For this reason, it is hence indispensable to carefully review and compare any design proposal. If there should be the need to specify the oxygen requirement for designing the aeration system, one should keep in mind that the higher one of the two water design temperature values is used for this purpose. The reason for this is that the oxygen dissolubility in warm water is worse than in lower temperature ranges.

This reaction is hence completely reverse to the calculation of the removal rates. As a consequence, the following general rule applies: • The lower temperature • is considered for calculating the required tank and carrier media volume • The higher temperature • is considered for the calculation of the oxygen supply Why does the yield matter? For dimensioning MBBR/IFAS systems, the yield is another essential factor which impacts the tank size/carrier media volume and the oxygen supply. The yield is used for considering the biomass growth in the calculation; it is an “empirical value” obtained in pilot trials, reference plants and it differs depending on the individual origin of the wastewater. A wrong selected yield figure can be the reason for an inaccurate dimensioning of MBBR/IFAS plants. Any further, more detailed explanations on the yield would go beyond the scope of this article. What is the reason for determining removal rates? As mentioned above, the carriers are substantially contributing to the pollutant removal (i.e. degradation of the wastewater pollutant load) in MBBR/IFAS plants

Mutag BioChip blue™ (25 mm) from 2017

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and are hence the “centerpiece” required for an optimal performance. The removal rates required for designing MBBR/IFAS plants are the measuring unit of the “removal efficiency”. Generally, the carrier media supplier must know the removal efficiency of his carrier media; otherwise he transfers all risks to his customers. Removal rates are resulting from many years of operational experience with the product “carrier”, obtained from large-scale plants, pilot trials or lab-scale studies. Individual and project-specific factors such as the origin of the wastewater, specific wastewater characteristics, water temperature, nutrient & oxygen supply, etc. have a significant impact on the removal performance. Providing general (i.e. global) removal rates is as irresponsible as copying them from other carrier types. With regard to this, further differentiation should be made. Certain types of hollowbody carriers have been used in MBBR/IFAS plants for several decades, whereas their relating removal rates are available from publications. Due to various disadvantages of these hollow-bodies, further activities in Research & Development had been performed within the last ten years resulting in e.g. porous chip-type carrier made of foamed PE material. During the years of product development and optimization, the technological market leader and carrier media manufacturer Multi Umwelttechnologie AG (Mutag) simultaneously made huge efforts in the processtechnological application in many different types of wastewaters as well as fields of application in order to allow for giving reliable statements in terms of the removal efficiency of this special product. If hollow-body carriers are applied, then the microorganisms are immobilizing on the carrier surface until they are being sheared off. This fact allows for a comparison possi-

bility of the theoretically determined surface area. This is the reason for the surface area comparison of different product shapes and manufacturers. A surface area comparison with a foamed carrier having a pore system will be meaningful only in a conditional way or not at all, which is due to the fact that the removal efficiency depends on the concentration of active biomass under the specific process conditions, as explained above. A comparison of the surface areas for evaluating the removal efficiency is possible to perform only after having conducted long-term comparative tests under exactly the same process conditions for the specific wastewater. If the Chip from 2008 with its pore system would have provided the same performance, it would surely not have become necessary to optimize the product to the Mutag BioChip blue™ which has an average diameter of 25 mm. The optimization of the pore system which holds a high amount of active biomass has been confirmed by means of extensive studies performed by Mutag as well as by several institutes/ universities.

Summary In comparison, it is not the surface area of the porous

chips which is crucial for the removal efficiency but the quantity of biomass which can be immobilized per volumetric unit of carriers. There are dramatic differences in terms of the removal capacity when looking at pore systems, and a pure comparison of the surface areas may result in dire consequences with regard to the conceptual plant design. In order to minimize the risks of an inaccurate plant dimensioning, the removal performance of porous carriers used in the specific type of wastewater to be treated has to be proven on binding basis, and/ or the bidder/ plastic material supplier must possess the knowledge of the real performance data of the finally chosen carrier type in the specific case of application. Please take seriously into account that any assumptions or estimations will not be of assistance to you and a simple comparison of the carrier surface area is not leading to reliable results. About the Authors Christian Börner and René Trübenbach are working for Multi Umwelttechnologie AG. The company has over 20 years of experience in the application of biofilm media in the treatment of wastewater, and offers solutions for biological wastewater treatment systems in form of Mutag BioChip™, etc.

March, 2018

CASE STUDY

CSR Funding Delivers a Public Sanitation Project The significant challenges of this project were low water usage and low-cost sustainability. By Clearford India Pvt Ltd

department of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS), one of India’s leading infrastructure development and finance companies. An output-based aid (OBA) model was selected that transfers the performance risk to the solution providers, thereby offering a new tool in the effort to sustainably end open defecation in India.

Background

Introduction A small agricultural community is the first OpenDefecation Free (ODF) tribal village in Gujarat State thanks to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for an affordable wastewater technology and public sanitation outreach. A new communal wastewater system with private toilets and bathrooms were successfully delivered along with public outreach programming to enable residents to achieve public health objectives and environmental stewardship in their community. The public sanitation project was carefully planned and implemented within a strict budget through the CSR

March, 2018

Gujarat Road & Infrastructure Co. Ltd (GRICL), a special purpose vehicle of IL&FS, has adopted a number of tribal villages along their toll road between Vadodara and Halol in Gujarat State as part of their CSR program. Under this initiative and with support from the Gujarat Government, the village of Jambudiyapura was designated as a model site for the creation of the first ODF

village in Gujarat. Jambudiyapura is an agricultural tribal village having a population of 250-300 people with 56 homes, a school and an Anganwadi (child healthcare center). The main sources of income in the village are agriculture and manual labor. While there is water supply to the homes from a communal water tower and distribution network, only ten family homes had toilets while the majority of residents practiced open defecation in the fields around the village. Most homes had outdoor bathing areas with cloth screens for privacy. The practice of open defecation poses a clear public health concern and, especially for women, a threat to personal safety and dignity. The ponding of greywater from bathing areas and household washing activities also presented a health risk to resi-

dents of waterborne disease and illness, a problem exacerbated by flooding during the monsoon season. Hence, there was a need for a low-cost sanitation solution with private toilets and bathrooms, as well as sustainable wastewater collection and treatment.

Project Objectives The goal of the CSR initiative was to use the principles of OBA to transform sanitation practices in the village away from open defecation towards a locally sustainable model that improves the longterm health of residents. The specific project objectives were to: • Build private toilet, shower and washing facilities for individual homes; • Collect all wastewater from homes using a communal sewerage system; • Convey wastewater to a low-cost treatment facility with minimal power requirements; • Treat wastewater to a quality that is safe for discharge and reusable for agricultural irrigation in accordance with all regulatory requirements; and • Minimize operation and maintenance requirements such that activities can be performed by trained villagers. Social Barriers towards Improved Sanitation in India A study by Research Institute for Compassionate Economics found that “wide-

spread open defecation in rural India is (attributable) to beliefs, values, and norms about purity, pollution, caste, and untouchability….” (Coffey et al. 2017). For this project, an interesting observation that came out of interviews with the villagers was that two groups of people were most opposed to stopping open defecation older men habituated to using the outdoors and, more unexpectedly, young girls aged 1216 who valued going in groups as an opportunity to socialize and get out of the house. These viewpoints were addressed by talking directly to individuals and explaining the benefits of moving away from open defecation practices in terms of social status, health and hygiene.

Challenges The challenges of providing improved sanitation and sustainable wastewater serv-

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CASE STUDY Fact File • • • • •

Location: Gujarat, India Community: Rural tribal village Population: Approx. 250 people Challenges: Low water usage and low cost sustainability Solution: Public outreach and Clearford One™ sanitation solution with household toilets and bathrooms, and a low maintenance treatment facility

icing in rural India are complex and well documented. There is a critical need for solutions that provide a low life-cycle cost of building and maintaining sanitary infrastructure, while also providing reliable performance under different operating conditions that are typically encountered in developed communities. Low Water Usage The community has limited water supply resulting in low water usage of only 70 litres/person/day (compared to 200-450 in North America). This poses a significant concern because conventional sewers rely on the flow of water to carry sewage solids through gravity pipes. When less water is being used, more solids accumulate in the pipe network leading to blockages that can cause sewer backups. Other technical challenges for the project included: • Black cotton soils and saturated ground, • Sewer alignment constraints from existing development, • Limited power supply for pumping and mechanical treatment operations. Low Cost Sustainability There are two linked aspects of sustainability social and financial - that had to be addressed. Social barriers, such as traditional attitudes around personal hygiene. The Client and Government worked with village leaders to leverage financial considerations along with public outreach for social acceptance of the project. Since capital costs were paid under the CSR budget, government subsidies were directed towards a communal fund for long-term operation

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of the new system. Households contributed an affordable but non-negligible amount to the communal fund as a commitment to the project objectives. This financial consideration was paired with a commitment by the village leaders to manage and maintain the system into the future. The design for system performance was developed to support the village in their commitments. Technology Selection The Client’s project team evaluated different wastewater technology options for sustainable low-cost servicing. In order to accommodate the low water supply of 70 liters/person/day, a Clearford One™ system was selected for solids-free wastewater conveyance. A low-cost vertical soil biotechnology treatment facility was chosen for final treatment because of its simplicity for operation and maintenance.

Solution A Clearford One™ system was designed with four components to meet the project objectives while overcoming the technical and social challenges related to the implementation of the new system. Private Bathrooms Bathroom facilities were constructed in the backyard of each home to provide safe, private access to a toilet, shower and washing area. Each bathroom was constructed of durable materials and equipped with lighting and plumbing, including a rooftop water tank to store clean water for daily use. The challenges associated with bathroom design and their acceptance by residents are

described in the sidebar below. Interceptor Tanks ClearDigest™ tanks were built next to each bathroom to capture sewage solids before releasing the liquid effluent to the sewer network. The tanks were constructed in place from bricks and cement with a working volume of 2000 liters each. Wastewater is pretreated by digesting the organic pollutants and trapping the inorganic solids. Small Bore Sewers ClearConvey™ small diameter gravity sewers were installed to collect effluent wastewater from the interceptor tanks. Flexible high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe was installed in shallow cutand-cover trenches to accommodate the irregular sewer alignment through the backyards. Small cleanouts were provided throughout the sewer network instead of large manhole structures. Thermal fusion of pipe and fitting joints ensures zero infiltration of groundwater and no contamination of soils through leaky joints in the sewer network. Treatment Facility ClearRecover™ treatment is provided at a treatment facility supplied by Vision Earthcare Pvt. Ltd using the CAMUS-SBT soil biotechnology that was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai. A small pumping station is required to lift wastewater from the buried sewer network to an aboveground vertical structure. The facility was built in place and filled with selected soil media and plantings that achieve the treated effluent standards set by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO). Recovered water is safely returned to the environment for reuse for agricultural irrigation, particularly in the dry summer months.

Operation & Maintenance The following efforts were

made to ensure affordable lifecycle operation and maintenance of the system for longterm improved sanitation in the village. Clearford One System Features The new sanitary infrastructure is designed for minimal maintenance. The interceptor tanks do not require electricity or additives. The removal of solids, oils and grease in the tanks protects the small bore sewers from blockages, so that practically no maintenance is required. Meanwhile, anaerobic digestion in the tanks minimizes sludge production, thereby requiring only infrequent pump-out compared to alternative systems such as septic tanks. Low Cost Treatment The treatment facility uses just 15 kWh/day of electricity costing around Rs. 2250 per month. Most maintenance work requires no more skill than that possessed by a trained handyman or gardener. Long-Term Funding for Operation A communal fund made up of government and household contributions was set up to sustain the operation of the system for at least 15 years, removing the common risk in India of systems failing shortly after installation. A new sanitation committee of residents will manage funds and lead the village in responsible use and maintenance of the

system. Furthermore, the village will assume responsibility for operating the system after training from the technology supplier.

Remarks Since construction was completed in May 2016, the village has established sanitary management zones to encourage proper use of the new facilities. Households have dismantled their old outdoor washing areas and improved their home plumbing in order to benefit from delivering clean water to their new toilets and bathrooms. A plan for treated water reuse is being developed for farmers to receive water for irrigation of their fields, which is expected to lead to greater drinking water conservation and improved agricultural productivity. Towards Sustainable Sanitation Although long-term success of the project remains to be confirmed, the positive response and involvement of the community are clear steps towards achieving sustainable sanitation and public health in the village. The experience in Jambudiyapura offers an appealing model for outputbased CSR funding of projects in rural India through community engagement, careful selection of technologies, and thoughtful project planning and implementation.

CSR in India In 2013, India’s Parliament passed legislation requiring that companies doing business in India must spend 2% of their net profit on approved CSR activities, such as promoting health care, education, gender equality, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Special mention is made of contributions to the Swachh Bharat ‘Clean India’ Mission towards improved hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation across India.

Targeted Public Outreach Targeted public outreach was used to promote acceptance of new sanitation practices and to communicate the value of the project to residents. Besides public health, the project would allow the recovery of treated reuse water for agriculture. Other outreach activities included community involvement in project planning and a public ceremony of personal commitment to improved sanitation.

March, 2018

CASE STUDY

Fine Screen and Clarifier PlayVital Role in CommunityPlant The Spiraflo clarifier and Raptor screen help in upgradation work of Addison Wastewater Treatment Plant in the New York state. By Lakeside Equipment Corporation

Clarifier Pre-Construction at Addison, Worn Gearbox, Cracked Walls and a Worn Arm that Would Often Stick

WORKING ALONE IN NEW YORK State, approximately 90-100 miles south of Rochester and Lake Ontario, plant operator Chuck Wright depends on the good performance and reliability of the equipment he diligently looks after near the Village of Addison. With such a high level of responsibility, the beauty of well-engineered, low maintenance equipment cannot be underestimated - and following a $3.34M upgrade to bring the 34-year-old treatment facility up to code and meet New York State Department Environmental Conservation (DEC) requirements, Chuck is rightly proud of the clean and well maintained Addison Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Village of Addison had

March, 2018

retained emerging national architecture, engineering, and survey firm Larson Design Group (LDG) for design and construction services, developing the project scope and funding applications for rehabilitation of the anaerobic digester unit, replacement of a wastewater pumping station, installation of a standby emergency generator and a mechanical bar screen. Other improvements under LDG’s contract included the major task of replacing the clarifier internals, as well as raw wastewater pumps, trickling filter recirculation, and HVAC upgrades. Larson Design Group has also provided engineering services for the Village’s water supply and treatment system, local streets, and drainage prob-

lems within the Village. Amidst the substantial improvements, two pieces of

equipment that have very steadily kept on doing their job at the (average) 220,000 gallons per day (420,000 permitted) plant are a Spiraflo Clarifier and a Raptor Fine Screen, which were both supplied by Lakeside Equipment Corporation in 2008. “I do my best to keep everything clean and running smoothly”, said Chuck Wright at Addison, “but I have no problems at all with the clarifier or the screen. Apart from occasional oil changes and a few squirts of grease, these keep working very well” He added: “Compared to some pieces of equipment, Lakeside’s seals and bearings are of exceptional quality. Nothing gums up or clogs. The Raptor Fine Screen does a great job getting rid of the

paper and heavier particles before they can get to the clarifier”. The Lakeside Spiraflo Clarifier was retrofitted into the existing concrete structure to replace an old centerfeed peripheral take-off clarifier that performed poorly due to short-circuiting. With the new peripheral-feed center take-off Spiraflo Clarifier, Chuck Wright certainly doesn’t have to worry about shortcircuiting because its spiraling flow pattern flows around the baffle skirt and under the skirt to ensure maximum use of the entire tank volume (26feet diameter – and shallow 8.5-feet depth). This is in contrast to a typical center-feed clarifier flow pattern that is subject to the waterfall effect and sludge

Looking into the New Lakeside Raptor Screen at Addison

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CASE STUDY

New Lakeside Raptor Screen at Addison

wall creep, which allows the influent to short-circuit directly to the effluent weirs, allowing solids carry over. The center-feed flow pattern flows counter-current (outward), compared to the sludge scraper that is moving solids inward to the sludge draw-off pit. This short-circuiting prevents the complete use of the tank volume for the settling process. Conversely, wastewater enters the Spiraflo Clarifier at the periphery of the tank and

is directed along the narrow raceway formed by the baffle skirt and the outer wall. This flow pattern dissipates the wastewater's hydraulic energy as it flows around the raceway and eventually spirals down under the skirt. Wastewater enters the main settling area from the full circumference of the skirt and slowly rises to pass over the centrally located effluent weirs. The inflow is prevented from flowing directly to the effluent weir by the specially

New Lakeside Spiraflo Clarifier at Addison

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designed race baffle skirt, which extends down to approximately two feet above the tank floor. The Spiraflo hydraulic flow pattern is in the same direction (inward) as the sludge collector is rotating and moving the solids (inward) to the sludge drawoff pit. The spiralling flow pattern makes use of total tank volume for more effective solids settling. Gregory M. Cummings, PE, Twin Tiers Director of LDG’s Operations (Civil Division), commented:

“Before the recent main upgrade, the previous clarifier was getting overloaded and had started exceeding recommended values, so we had to act then to keep the Addison plant in compliance”. He added: “We’d had previous experience with Lakeside and always found them good to work with. We also knew of the many advantages of the Spiraflo Clarifier, the Raptor Screen, and their proven track record. Nine years later, this equipment certainly meets the ‘fit and forget’ description. There haven’t been any problems at all”. As well as screening Addison’s wastewater, the Lakeside Raptor also washes, compacts and transports the screenings. With a screen diameter of 26 to 71 inches and maximum flow capacities higher than 20 MGD, liquid flows through the Raptor’s 3plane screening basket, with solids efficiently trapped by the screen bars that form the circular basket. When liquid rises to a predetermined level, the rake begins to rotate, cleaning the screen bars. The rake's teeth pass between the bars of the screen to remove captured materials. When the rake reaches the top of the screen, the captured material drops into the central screw conveyor. For complete clean-

ing, the rake reverses direction and passes through a hinged comb. The central screw conveyor then transports the material as it is washed, compacted and dewatered on its way to the discharge chute. After discharge, dewatered screenings have a solids content exceeding 40 percent. Screenings are initially washed as they are deposited in the collection trough. In the upper section of the transport tube, screenings are washed a second time. The macerating action of the screw breaks down large organic particles, which are then washed back into the flow stream. A spray wash system in the dewatering chamber removes any collected material to ensure free drainage of water, which is then removed in the compaction process. LDG is currently working with the Village to address infiltration and inflow (I&I) issues into the wastewater collection system. During periods of wet weather, the flow through the wastewater system can sometimes triple, indicating that water is entering the system where it shouldn’t be. Work includes uncovering buried manholes, televising the entire collection system and rehabilitating portions of the system where I&I issues are identified to be at their worst. Gregory M. Cummings, added: “At Larson Design Group we very much embrace innovation and welcome cutting-edge, new approaches within our practice areas, but the tried and tested design and cost-effectiveness of the Lakeside Spiraflo are hard to beat. There’s the superior performance, not to mention the savings that are made on construction and installation. The Raptor Screen is also very well designed and extremely durable, so we are happy with the knowledge that as the village of Addison’s trusted advisor, we are providing high-quality long-lasting solutions for the well-being of the community”.

March, 2018

CASE STUDY

Clever Kayak Rig Navigates Tricky Bathymetry Challenge Webb’s study of lake bottom indicated that more than 313,000 cubic yards of sediment has collected in Lake Forest since 1958, an accumulation of approx. 16,200 tons per year. By Xylem-SonTek

The Lake Created for the Lake Forest Subdivision is Completely Surrounded by Private Property, Making Access Difficult for Surveyors.

IT WAS A SMALL LAKE, but a big challenge. Covering about 43 acres (17 ha), the centerpiece of the Lake Forest subdivision in Daphne, Alabama, was completely surrounded by private property. There was no public boat access, and heavy overgrowth prevented surveying elevations above the pool level. Bret Webb, associate professor of Civil, Coastal and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Alabama, was starting a month-long study of sedimentation in the lake to help authorities evaluate flood storage capacity and potential restoration activities, but he was having trouble reaching the water. When his team had completed what it could accom-

March, 2018

plish on foot, Webb tried backing a trailer down a narrow footpath to launch his JagSki, a Kawasaki Ultra LX personal watercraft outfitted with a SonTek HydroSurveyor/ RiverSurveyor-M9 acoustic Doppler profiler (ADP) and YSI Portable SeaKeeper multiparameter sampling system. He had used the JagSki to great effect in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, examining water and oil movement among breaches in the barrier islands of the Gulf’s Mobile Bay. With a top speed of 40 knots and the ability to run in just a few inches of water, Webb figured the maneuverable JagSki would make quick work of mapping the lake bed. He had already opted out of

trying to maneuver the trailer on the dam’s spillway, which he realized could easily lead to a 25-foot slide ending with his equipment - trailer, truck and all - in the lake. Instead, he tried backing down a footpath to the lake, but the path’s angle was too steep, and Webb ended up cramming the impeller and water intake full of mud and vegetation, disabling the JagSki. Recovering the craft from the lake, he damaged his trailer and hitch. Webb realized he needed a more nimble approach.

ing with paper clips and chewing gum like the TV character, Webb specializes in PVC and electronics. After all, he had already built a JagSki. He just needed to find a lighter platform.

Inspired by literature he had read about kayak-based surveying, Webb committed part of his grant money to purchase a kayak. Then he went to a home improvement store to stock up on parts to mount the M9 to the hull. He dubbed his creation the JagYak in honor of University of South Alabama’s mascot, the Jaguars. The concept was simple, he says, but confesses that making the first cut was tough. “You go to the store not anticipating spending $600 on a kayak, then the first thing you do when you go home is cut a 5-inch hole in the bottom. There’s a little trepidation there,” Webb laughs. After cutting a length of 5inch (12.7-cm) PVC pipe to act as a sleeve for the M9, Webb fashioned a collar that could fasten on either side of the kayak’s hull to create a waterproof seal around the instru-

Resourceful Like the hero of the television series MacGyver, Webb is a master of cobbling together clever fixes with the tools close at hand. Instead of work-

Down to the Bottom of his Budget, Bret Webb Built His Own Sediment Sampler from PVC Plumbing Parts.

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CASE STUDY

A PVC Sleeve Contains a SonTek M9 Webb Used to Survey the Lake Bottom; the Orange SonTek CastAway Provided Quick Conductivity, Temperature and Depth Data for Correcting SoundSpeed Variations.

ment. Originally, he also constructed a waterproof enclosure for his laptop in hopes that he could reference the M9’s HydroSurveyor software as he paddled, but the computer kept overheating during testing. “It’s probably not smart to take a computer on a kayak anyhow, so this was likely a blessing in disguise,” Webb concludes.

Onboard Capabilities

Early Efforts to Create a Waterproof Case for Webb’s Laptop Led to the Computer Overheating. Ultimately, Webb Left the Computer on Shore and Relied on M9’s Internal Memory to Log Readings.

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Instead of running the system through his laptop on the water, Webb utilized the dualfunction capability of the M9, switching from its HydroSurveyor mode - which would have enabled him to navigate with a display of his line plan on his laptop screen and view his measurements in real-time to its RiverSurveyor function. The switch allowed instrumentbased data-logging of depth and velocity readings that Webb processed afterward on his laptop, which was left safely in his truck during his survey forays to the lake. Isaac Jones, the Product Manager for the H y d r o S u r v e y o r/ RiverSurveyor-M9 at SonTek (a Xylem brand) in San Diego, California, notes that the M9 offers users the choice of RiverSurveyor or HydroSurveyor mode. “RiverSurveyor and HydroSurveyor modes are different firmware packages for the M9 hardware, allowing users to optimize the system for their needs,” Jones explains. “RiverSurveyor firmware optimizes the M9 to emphasize velocity measurements and calculate discharge. HydroSurveyor mode is optimized for depth measurement, with less emphasis on velocity, and displays realtime and historical data on a map. That makes HydroSurveyor mode better suited for bathymetry. Users specify the package they want when they purchase an M9 and can unlock the other mode if their needs change for instance, if they need to switch from river measurements to lake bathymetry surveys. “Bret Webb has worked with the M9 since we introduced it, and has become an expert in processing raw data from the system to meet his needs,” Jones adds. “He has developed the ability to process raw data from the M9 to achieve the results other users would tap the HydroSurveyor or RiverSurveyor firmware to

Stretching the Boundaries

Bret Webb of the University of South Alabama is a Master at Cobbling Together Clever Solutions in Challenging Situations. When He Realized He Couldn’t Launch His InstrumentLaden JagSki Watercraft at Lake Forest, He Rigged a BathymetrySurveying Kayak - the JagYak.

gather. He’s extremely creative and has been a real pioneer in the field. His work with the JagYak - not just the way he deployed the M9 on the kayak, but the way he utilized its capabilities - is a perfect illustration of that.”

Counting Strokes Counting his paddle strokes and navigating by compass and transect plan printouts, Webb was still able to follow his survey plan. And because the water level in the lake was constant, vertical data from absolute RTK were

Bret Webb built the ideal sampling platform to map shoals and pools in Daphne, Alabama’s Lake Forest - mounting a 9-beam HydroSurveyor/ RiverSurveyor-M9 acoustic Doppler profiler on an ocean kayak. But before his JagYak touched the water, he had to tackle a thorny challenge with a computer rather than pipe adhesive. “We needed to determine the volume of sediment that had accumulated since the time of construction,” he explains. “To do that required a comparison of two surveys: pre-construction and present-day. “The only pre-construction survey we had was from 1958, and while of very good quality, it did not have any coordinate reference or stated vertical datum,” Webb notes. “Furthermore, the survey contained no recognizable features or landmarks that could be used for geo-referencing, because the entire area has changed substantially due to development since 1958! “We had to get very creative,” he says. Ultimately, Webb and his team found a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle map from about the same year as the pre-construction survey, and stretched and scaled the 1958 survey over the map until the 20-foot contours of both charts were in perfect alignment. Webb could then geo-reference the 1958 survey using known coordinates from the USGS quadrangle. In all, Webb and his team manually digitized more than 800 elevations from the 1958 survey. That set the stage for a 12,000-point survey of Lake Forest and a new understanding of sedimentation in the system.

not necessary, he notes. He just surveyed the water level into NAVD88 and corrected the measured depths to accurately labeled elevations. The M9 uses five of its nine acoustic beams at a time selecting the optimum frequency for sampling conditions at the moment - to meas-

ure five discrete depths in a 50-degree swath. The ADP is equipped with an integrated GPS, so each data point is geolocated. Where the instrument’s acoustic beams have a good fix on the bottom - without heavy vegetation or moving sediments - it can also provide additional flexibility by

Webb’s JagYak Offered Mobility, Shallow-Water Access, and a Highly Maneuverable Platform for His SonTek M9 Acoustic Doppler Profiler and Home-Made Sediment Sampler.

March, 2018

CASE STUDY Two Instruments in One Thanks to its innovative firmware packages, the SonTek M9 acoustic Doppler profiler (ADP) is really two instruments in one - a RiverSurveyor and a HydroSurveyor. The M9 uses a total of nine beams - five at a time - to measure velocity, direction, and depth in the water column. With SonTek’s SmartPulseHDTM technology, the M9 utilizes a variety of ping types and frequencies - 3.0 Mhz, 1.0 Mhz, and 0.5 Mhz - as well as a range of processing technologies to optimize the instrument for current data gathering conditions. The firmware packages add a further level of optimization. In its RiverSurveyor mode, the instrument allocates a greater proportion of its measurement capabilities to capturing velocity data, processing onboard discharge calculations. In HydroSurveyor mode, more of the M9’s acoustic pings are oriented toward depth measurement. Users can chart their survey and visualize their data in real-time on a laptop, and the processing software easily yields bathymetric maps. Most users specify their preferred firmware package, based on their primary application, when purchasing an M9, notes SonTek product manager Isaac Jones, though they can unlock the other firmware package if needed for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a second unit. “For significantly less than the cost of a new M9, users can unlock the functionality of the RiverSurveyor or HydroSurveyor package, saving them from having to buy a second instrument as your needs change,” Jones says. “We are seeing a lot of interest in that from consultants who use a single M9 for contracts that range from discharge studies to bathymetric mapping. As budgets get tighter, many government agencies are also moving in this direction. “The HydroSurveyor and RiverSurveyor functionality, coupled with the built-in SmartPulseHD technology, make the M9 a remarkably versatile instrument,” he adds.

engaging its bottom tracking feature, which uses acousticderived speed and position over the ground to derive position. In all, between wading measurements and data from the JagYak, Webb’s bathymetric survey included position and elevation measurements for more than 12,000 discrete

locations. Webb supported his M9 data with readings from a CastAway CTD, a palm-sized instrument from SonTek that provides vital data for correcting sound-speed variations in his depth and velocity readings - a vital step in ensuring accurate depth measurement. Lowering the

The M9’s HydroSurveyor Mode Allows Users to Track their Survey Patterns on an Onscreen Map in Real-Time. Without his Laptop, Webb Counted His Paddle Strokes and Navigated by Compass to Maintain His Pattern.

March, 2018

CastAway and reeling it back up at a steady rate provides geolocated conductivity, temperature and depth readings for the water column. “Even though there were not ‘salinity’ changes in the reservoir, there were certainly temperature differences, and even some conductivity differences, that could affect the speed value,” Webb points out. “There were a couple of deep spots right in front of the dam where there was a fairly substantial change in temperature (with depth) in those holes. “I would never collect data without using a CTD profiler,” he adds. “And since I was on a kayak, the CastAway CTD was ideal due to its size and built-in GPS.”

Massive Build-up Webb’s study of the lake bottom indicated that more than 313,000 cubic yards of sediment has collected in Lake Forest since 1958, an accumulation of approximately 16,200 tons per year. Depth has been reduced by 5 to 10 feet in most of the lake, and pool volume has been reduced by 45 to 60 percent since development began - from 356 acre-feet in 1958 to less than 197 acre-feet in 2016. The lake has experienced significant sediment build-up on more than 78 percent of its area, shoals of five feet or more have built-up on more than 19 acres of the lake bottom. At the same time, significant erosion has occurred in front of the dam, leaving deep pools that are susceptible to low dissolved oxygen levels. If that hypoxic water is drawn to the upper levels of the water column by wind or surface cooling, it could be released into the spillway and discharged into Mobile Bay, Webb notes. Quantifying the massive build-up of sediment in Lake Forest was an important step in helping the decision-makers understand the lake’s potential role in capturing floodwater and its expected reserve of sediment storage.

Webb’s Creativity Extends Well Beyond Clever Workshop Projects. To Chart Changes in Lake Bottom Elevations, He Manipulated a 1958 Survey Map to Exactly Fit a 2016 USGS Quadrangle Map.

Through his survey, Webb determined that the lake had enough capacity to capture sediment for the next 90 years at the rate it has been flowing since it was built. Quantifying the amount of sediment already in the lake also helped him estimate the staggering cost of dredging and sediment relocation. But Webb also wanted to study the sediments themselves.

Sediment Samples “We wanted to collect sediment push cores, but had no budget left to purchase a commercial device,” he explains. So, while he was in the plumbing department of the home improvement center buying parts to outfit the JagYak, Webb also stocked up on supplies to craft a homemade sediment sampler. An off-the-shelf sampler cost $400 to $500. With $30 in parts - including PVC pipe, a 1inch ball valve, and clear plastic coring tubes - Webb built his own. Using the homemade sampler, he and his team collected 20-inch (50-cm) push cores of sediment from eight

locations around the lake. Analyzing and sorting grain size, Webb determined that the sediments in Lake Forest were precisely the same material that was lacking downstream in Mobile Bay to bolster beaches and barriers. “They’re essentially identical to what we find on our bay beaches,” Webb says. “We’re not seeing beaches able to keep up with sea level rise, mostly due to a lack of sediment inputs.” Someday, funds permitting, some of the 700,000 tons of sediment that have built up in Lake Forest since 1958 could be used to rebuild dwindling beaches and eroding riverbanks. Upstream of Lake Forest, the conservation work, alongwith its two primary tributaries, has substantially reduced the volume of sediments flowing into the lake. With Bret Webb’s detailed maps in hand, decision makers will have a great tool for planning the future of Lake Forest - made possible by a scientist with a creative mind and a talent for improvisation.

Attracting Alligators’Attention Mapping Alabama’s Lake Forest in a modified kayak provided University of South Alabama’s Bret Webb with a detailed bathymetric survey. It also provided a few thrills. “I have never before worked in an area with so many active alligators,” Webb says. “They were very curious the entire time we were working, especially the little baby alligators. So, every time I attracted the attention of a baby alligator, I was quickly looking around to find out where Big Momma was!”

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CASE STUDY

Del Monte Philippines Harvest Free Green Energyfrom Food Process Water The wastewater treatment installation at the pineapple canning plant has achieved 93% organic pollution (COD) removal in its anaerobic reactors. By Global Water Engineering

Green Energy Generators Powered by Biogas (Methane) from Wastewater at Del Monte Philippines Transform a Problem into to a Profit.

A WASTE-TO-ENERGY project undertaken by the world’s largest integrated pineapple operation, Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI), has exceeded even the high effluent quality targets originally set for the job. The Global Water Engineering (GWE) wastewater treatment installation at the Cagayan de Oro pineapple canning plant has achieved 93 percent organic pollution (COD) removal in its anaerobic reactors, producing in the process enough green energy (methane-rich biogas) to power two 1.4 MW generating electrical power generator units or gensets. The effluent of the anaerobic digestion step is further polished in an activated sludge type final treatment step to satisfy the local DENR discharge effluent standards. DMPI - which accounts for about 10 percent of the world’s annual production of processed pineapple products - will benefit from environmentally clean electricity to replace fossil fuels typically used in electrical power plants. And the waste

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heat from the gensets is also put to use to heat up steam boiler feed water, which is a further reduction of fossil fuel use in the factory, says GWE Chairman and CEO JeanPierre Ombregt. DMPI processes more than 700,000 tons of pineapple and papaya a year to produce more than 100 food and vegetable variants. DMPI is owned by Del Monte Pacific Ltd (DMPL), who also owns Del Monte Foods Inc., the company that owns the Del Monte brand in the USA. DMPI is one of the largest producers, distributors, and marketers of premium quality, branded food products for the US retail market through its affiliate DMFI, as well as private label products. Benefits of the company’s new wastewater and green energy plant mean that DMPI can replace fossil fuels with green energy, and given the high prices of electricity from the Grid and the sometimes erratic supply, the plant will achieve rapid ROI payback. Generally, this takes only 2 to 5 years, says Mr Ombregt, whose

company has installed more than 150 waste-to-green energy plants worldwide and ca. 400 high-quality industrial wastewater and waste treatment plants, the benefits of which are applicable to any manufacturing operation with one or more organically loaded wastewater and waste streams. “The DMPI plant has substantially exceeded even the high environmental goals set by the company for the treating more than 13,000 cubic meters a day of wastewater, or nearly five million cubic meters a year.” “Process results are substantially better than the guaranteed levels of the project, with anaerobic effluent achieving ca. 40 mg/l COD (93 percent removal) and final effluent achieving 70 mg/l COD, or a further 83 percent removal.” “This is remarkable in an operation so large and a compliment to the foresight of DMPI. In terms of the positive environmental impact and the virtually free electricity gains going straight to the bottom line, this is an exemplary project for food, beverage and agribusiness processors worldwide.” Elements of the GWE process tailored to the needs of the DMPI include: • Pre-treatment of flume wastewater for large solids and sand removal before joining with the rest of the effluents which pass a primary clarifier.

• Anaerobic digestion in four ANUBIX™ B (UASB type) methane reactors of a type proven globally for low-tomedium strength mainly soluble carbohydrate containing effluents, attaining outstanding COD removal efficiencies, in some cases even up to 99% • Aerobic activated sludge type polishing treatment of the anaerobic reactor effluent (upgrade of existing facilities) • Mechanical sludge dewatering of the aerobic excess sludge (by reuse of existing facilities) • Biogas sweetening in a 2 step (physicochemical followed by biological) SULFURIX™, BIOSULFURIX™ process for sulphur removal, followed by GASODRIX™ biogas drying • Feed of the sweetened and dried biogas to the 2 electricity generation sets GWE anaerobic technologies have been successfully deployed on diverse organic and agribusiness waste streams produced by industries including food and beverage processing, starch and fermentation industry, pulp & paper, and many other type of agroindustry. Their success was recogniz ed by GWE’s successful entry in the 2014 IChemE award for the best project or process to demonstrate innovation in renewable energy, alternative energy sources, efficient energy use or the development of energy production methods

that reduce energy and water intensity. The winning entry involved pulp processing at the Chok Chai Starch cassava processing plant in Thailand. The Institution of Chemical Engineers is the global professional institution for chemical and process engineers with 40,000 members across 120 countries. “Biogas from wastewater is an outstanding source of baseload power. As part of a renewable energy mix - complementing wind and solar generation, for example - electricity generated with biogas is highly reliable and consistent.” “As the major component of natural gas, methane is an environmentally attractive alternative to fossil fuels,” said Mr. Ombregt, whose company was complimented by DMPI on achieving better than guaranteed process results. GWE was subsequently awarded a supervision contract extending until 2017 to optimize plant operation.

GWE Chairman and CEO Jean Pierre Ombregt

March, 2018

MARKET

Health Concerns of Consumers Increase Demand for Bottled Drinking Water By The Business Research Company THE GLOBAL BOTTLED water market did not end the year 2017 without surprises. After years of strong growth in the USA, bottled water sales surpassed carbonated soft drinks to become the largest beverage category by volume in 2016, and numbers do not stay idle. According to a report on the bottled water market published by The Business Research Company (TBRC), from 2014 to 2017, the global bottled market grew to over $200 billion following a 9% yearly growth. This was due to the increase in health concerns caused by consumption of contaminated water. In addition to the health concerns, rising disposable income also let people in the Asia Pacific region influence the growth of the market significantly. By volume, the market grew by above 100 billion liters. The predictions for the bottled water market are above expectations. By value, the market is going to reach around $350 billion by 2021 following a double digit year on year growth. The growth rate of volume will be a bit lower, but not by a significant number, at over 9%. Global per capita average bottled water expenditure will also raise from $32.3 per head in 2017 to $45.3 by 2021.

Per Capita Consumption and Expenditure of Bottled Water The bottled water consumption market grew in 2017 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 7% to over 400 billion liters. The bottled water consumption

March, 2018

market is expected to further grow to over 600 billion liters in 2021 at a CAGR of above 9%. Analysts from The Business Research Company have also forecasted the global per capita average bottled water expenditure to grow to over $45 by 2021.

Regional Analysis The consumption of bottled water in 2017 was the highest in the Asia Pacific region, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global consumption. Asia Pacific region is a host for two most populated countries where poor public infrastructure is quite common and access to clean drinking water is limited, which drove the market to such numbers. These conditions, in particular, raise consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hygiene standards towards drinking water to maintain a healthy life. Following the health awareness trend, bottled water consumers in the Asia Pacific region are also increasingly adopting new products with health benefits, such as functional water, which has added functional value in the form of minerals, oxygen, and vitamins. Since consumers prefer to try new tastes and follow the best of them, the availability of a range of flavors and options in functional water will boost the market growth. The second largest region in terms of volume was American continent. High average prices per liter of drinking water made the region rank first in value.

Competitor Landscape The global bottled water

market is highly fragmented with a large number of local players present in most countries, with very few major players having more than 5% market share. It is a highly competitive market and has many manufacturers operating across multiple product segments and geographies. The leading players in the global market that have a multi-country presence are DANONE, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi-Co. To stand out among the numerous competitors, companies have started changing the look and feel of packaging to get more traction in market. The aim of the producers has become to establish differentiation and a brand image in the bottled water market. Innovative packaging comes in hand, which includes resealable and recyclable can packaging material, transparent sophisticated bottles, and inks and coatings applied on a can to enhance customer experience through unique visual effects along with an increasing shelf-appeal.

Market Trends The Business Research Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report on the global bottled water market highlights the following major trends shaping the market: The Shift from Carbonated Soft Drinks to Water Consumers, particularly in North America, are gradually shifting from soda to bottled water. This shift is driven by a shift in consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; preferences from unnatural and high-sugar drinks towards healthier alternatives. For example, in 2017 the bottled

water consumption in the US reached 39.3 gallons per capita, while the carbonated soft drinks consumption fell to 38.5 gallons per capita.

Growing Acceptance of Premium Bottled Water The acceptance of premium bottled water is gradually increasing in emerging economies such as Brazil. Premium bottled water has less sodium content, high mineral content and special glass or plastic packaging, and is priced higher than normal bottled water. The prices established for premium bottled water brands are not as high as imported brands, thus enabling consumers to opt for premium bottled water. The consumption of premium bottled water is also highly incentivized by restaurants in countries such as Brazil since it is not common to serve tap water. This is expected to drive the demand for premium bottled water in the forecast period.

to the growing concerns about rising obesity levels. Carbonated water can lead to problems such as digestive issues, weight gain, heartburn, etc. This is making consumers shift towards the lowcalorie flavored water and functional water. Companies are launching products in this segment in response to rising opportunities in this product

Innovations in Bottled Water Products Bottled water manufacturing companies are increasingly introducing new products to offer functional benefits, better taste, and convenience to consumers. These innovative products have several health benefits and are also priced higher than regular bottled water products. Increasing Obesity Rate Boosts Demand for Flavored and Functional Water Bottled water companies are increasingly offering flavored and functional water, which is in high demand due

type. For instance, Pepsi has launched new sparkling Aquafina flavored waters to cater to rising consumer demand in the flavored and functional water segments. The Business Research Company is a market research and intelligence company which excels in company, market and consumer research.

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IAPMO India to Run Water Quality India Association’s Operations Express Water Exclusive

PLUMBING CODES AND Standards India Private Limited (known as IAPMO India) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Water Quality India Association (WQIA) calling for IAPMO India to execute the WQIA’s operations in India as the management agency. IAPMO India will manage In addition to managing the WQIA’s daily administrative tasks, IAPMO India will provide direction to help the association achieve its strategic goals. IAPMO India will manage and organize membership, meetings, standard development, training, certifications, public relations, social media initiatives, and the website, in addition to other routine administrative functions. The leading association for the water treatment industry in India, WQIA will now have IAPMO India’s support in promoting industry initiatives throughout the country. The MoU was signed on February 21. “The IAPMO Group has vast experience in managing associations all over the world, providing the neces-

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sary scientific and intellectual input to help associations meet their goals and objectives,” said Dr. K. Chandrasekhar, Interim Managing Director of IAPMO India. Chandrasekhar will also serve as Chief Operating Officer of the WQIA and will work closely with the WQIA board to manage its activities. “This strategic association with IAPMO India will not only help in better management of the WQIA and its programs but by including the plumbing industry sets the tone to broaden the scope of water quality in India, where focus on water quality is nascent today,” said outgoing WQIA President Rajul Parikh, Director of Alfaa UV. The WQIA’s incoming President, Sarjan Watertech India Pvt. Ltd. Managing Director Sunil Trivedi, said, “IAPMO’s assistance in the effective management of our association will help the WQIA penetrate deeply across the country with various activities for all categories of members and to be a strong supporter of the water industry. It will also help the WQIA fulfill its vision and mission by achieving its objectives.”

Mayur Sharma talked to Dr. K. Chandrasekhar (Interim Managing Director, IAPMO India and Chief Operating Officer, WQIA). Excerpts...

expanding education and professional certification, administering the “Seal of Purity” product certification program, providing meeting space and logistics for WQIA, maintaining WQIA website and social media accounts, attending meetings and trade shows on WQIA’s behalf, leveraging our industry relationships to introduce WQIA into foreign markets (US, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and other countries where IAPMO has a presence), producing WQIA’s quarterly newsletter, and coordinating with WQIA’s legal and accounting firm. I will oversee all the activities on a dayto-day basis and report to the WQIA board. I will also be taking their guidance and directions to run the association.

What does this development mean for IAPMO and WQIA?

Please tell us about your own journey in the Indian water sector.

Dr. K. Chandrasekhar: IAPMO India has taken the responsibility of running operations of WQIA on a day-to-day basis under the guidance and direction of WQIA board-members who are in senior positions in their respective companies or are the owners of companies. IAPMO India will help WQIA in being recognized as a reliable resource of information about water quality issues and improving water quality to enhance the quality of life for everyone through right water treatment technologies and services. The objectives are promoting standards & product certification, promoting consumer awareness about water quality, training & education, marketplace protection, liaising with Government bodies, and networking. The overall aim will be to see WQIA become the “Voice of Industry”.

Dr. K. Chandrasekhar: It has been a fantastic journey of nearly ten years in the water treatment industry with so many changes in terms of new innovations, investments and above all so much awareness for the safe drinking water. I got an opportunity to run WQA India Task Force for nearly 8 years and was able to interact with thousands of traders and manufacturers of residential water treatment systems. Regional associations like WAPTAG, WAPTEMA, SRW, and IWA, with their huge memberbase, are helping traders and manufacturers to make good products.

What will be the scope of work for IAPMO? And your responsibilities? Dr. K. Chandrasekhar: IAPMO India has an excellent staff in place in Bengaluru which will perform activities like marketing the WQIA membership and its programs, organizing WQIA meetings and conducting WQIA board meetings, initiating standard development activities, promoting and

How do you see the growth of Indian water sector in near future? Dr. K. Chandrasekhar: Many reports say that Indian water sector is growing at the rate of 25-30% every year and will grow further. The safe drinking water availability is a great challenge for 1.3 billion people of this country. WQIA will play a key role in helping industry make quality products using relevant standards available, creating new standards for water treatment, and providing education & professional certification for service engineers and salespeople, and making the consumers aware about the benefits of safe drinking water.

March, 2018

MARKET

Jewel-of-the-Ocean Inspires New, Environment-Friendly and More Hygienic Wastewater Treatment By CST Wastewater Solutions

Lord Howe Island

AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY and cost-efficient wastewater treatment system is being engineered by Australian company CST Wastewater Solutions for smaller, remote and ecologically sensitive community, municipal, agribusiness and industrial applications throughout the Asia-Pacific. The two-stage system uses a combination of coarse and fine screening and advanced dry compaction technology to produce a more hygienic and more compact output that is easier to handle and transport. The system is more economical, compact and uses less energy and minimal water compared to alternative

March, 2018

systems. The new system - incorporating the world’s best technology into an Australian engineered package - has been selected for use by the Island Board of World-Heritage listed Lord Howe Island after extensive testing to determine the best solution for the management and disposal of waste generated on the island. The existing waste management facility for the Island, 900 km off the coast of Eastern Australia, sorts various waste streams including food waste, paper & cardboard, green waste, recyclable materials re-usable materials and general waste. Septic Waste from the residential

and commercial system is also treated at this facility, drawn from about 220 wastewater systems on the island, 25 of which are commercial operations. Currently, pumpouts are delivered to the facility via a 1,800 liter wastewater tanker. “CST Wastewater Solutions was tasked to review a “best fit” sludge dewatering system for the septic waste because the current infrastructure is becoming outdated and the existing drying beds are to be decommissioned,” said CST Wastewater Solutions Chemical Engineer and Managing Director Michael Bambridge. Michael and his

brother Peter Bambridge worked extensively with the Lord Howe Island Board’s Project Manager to find an optimal solution that combined outstanding environmental performance with equally strong OHS performance - and which has a much smaller footprint than the drying rack system used currently. “The extensive work done by Peter with the Lord Howe Island Board Project Manager inspired us to take a fresh look at the type of environmental solutions on offer to communities and industries in environmentally sensitive locations throughout the Asia-Pacific,” said Michael.

CST proposed a new two-stage system: • The first stage is a CST Screen Extractor with a coarse screening at 6.0mm up front to remove plastic, rags and other disposals typically found in the community, commercial and industrial wastewater treatment plants. • The second stage employed CST’s new KDS Separator technology for fine screening and dewatering of the fines. The clog-free automatic liquid-to-solid waste separator is being introduced to the Asia-Pacific by CST Wastewater Solutions

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The New Clog-Free Automatic Liquid-to-Solid KDS Waste Separator (Left), and the More Hygienic and Easily Handled Output Obtained in the Lord Howe Island Application (right)

for compact dewatering applications ranging from food processing, food waste, grease trap and waste oil through to municipal wastewater sludge, livestock manure, and agribusiness processes. The KDS system was developed in Japan, a country which is highly focused on food and water purity. CST Wastewater Technologies engineers KDS’ latest technologies into Australian-engineered packages specified to achieve best results in individual locations, such as Lord Howe Island. “CST completed successful trials on Lord Howe Island

under the supervision of the Board’s Project Manager, obtaining impressive results from the pilot plant KDS Separator, with high screening capture and effective dewatering of the fines from the wastewater delivered by the tanker servicing the community,” said Michael. The compact KDS multidisc roller separator features a unique self-cleaning dewatering and conveying system with oval plate separation and transfer structure that prevents clogging and permits automatic continuous operation that handles oily and fibrous material with ease. “This simple-to-maintain

separator offers a high throughput within a small body, with the smallest model being just under 350mm wide and weighing 50 kg. It is ideal for applications such as Lord Howe Island and other smaller communities and industrial applications throughout the Asia-Pacific, including coastal, remote and ecologically sensitive areas. It is more hygienic and produces an output that is twice as light and half the cost to transport for disposal, compared to other systems. It is also extremely compact, energy efficient and uses minimal water.” Designed for efficiency, sustainability, and conserva-

tion of resources in small-tomedium applications, the energy-efficient KDS separator consumes as little as 0.06kW hr of electricity and uses no wash water, says Mike. Compared to alternate technologies it saves on power, space and money. “The KDS separator uses a fraction of the power of a centrifuge and involves no water usage during operation, unlike a belt press or a screw press. For a relatively low investment cost, it offers a high-performance alternative for example to sludge drying beds and geobags, says Michael. The KDS technology can also be used for thickening of

dissolved air flotation sludge a very common application throughout wastewater operations - in which role it achieves solids capture of 97 percent thickened sludge at a dryness of 17 percent. Waste activated sludge dryness levels are typically 15-25 percent. The compact rotational oval plate structure achieves high transportation and separation efficiencies, while the simplicity of the machine’s overall structure offers low maintenance, achieving cost and OH&S benefits through less handling being required to clear hazardous materials. The applications, for which the separator is designed, include: • Food processing waste, including snack-foods, kitchen and restaurant waste, raw wastewater (primary screening) and sludge • Sewage treatment, including raw wastewater (primary screening) and sludge to the landfill • Abattoir, feedlots, and dairy farm wastewater and sludge. Cattle manure cake dryness of 25-35 percent is typically achieved • Pig farm raw manure and sludge, with cake dryness of 20-30 percent. • Barrel polishing water, water-based paint wastewater, grease trap waste, dyeing wastewater, waste oil, and plastic recycling. • Seafood processing

The Unique Self-Cleaning Action of the KDS Separator, Which is Available in Hydraulic Capacities from 264-4092 gal/hr (Approx. 100015490 Litres) with Input Solids Content of 2%

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March, 2018

MARKET

Where to Start with Electronic Instrumentation and Automation in Water Distribution Systems? By Justin Arseneault Mechanical Methods What Options Do I Have? When first adding electronic automation, it can be easier to use products that work with existing mechanical components rather than to replace them completely. There are a number of products that enhance valve control by adding the ability to change set-points or actuate valves electronically. These methods retain the original mechanical control mechanism but remove the need to send personnel into the field to adjust a pilot screw when a pressure needs to be adjusted. Pilot System with 5 Pressure Reducing Pilots, Each with a Different Setpoint. A Latching Solenoid is Paired with Each, Allowing a Controller to Switch Between Set-points at Pre-Program.

ADDING ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION and automation to a water management system can provide enormous benefits, but it can seem daunting when first moving from a purely hydraulic system. While there are many instrumentation and automation options available, an electronic control system does not have to be overly complicated. Control valves are a natural place to start since they already perform much of the control in water management. For those considering instrumentation and automation for their valves, but unsure of where to start, here are some simple suggestions that can have a large impact.

I Don’t Have Any Electronics - Where Do I start? A good first step into the world of electronics is on the instrumentation side: add sen-

March, 2018

sors to monitor pressures, flow rates, tank levels, valve positions and other parameters throughout your system. Sensors provide valuable feedback that enables operators and engineers to monitor sites and gain a deeper understanding of their system’s performance. Even when control is accomplished by hydraulic and mechanical means, having sensor feedback is critical to setting up that control effectively. For example, a flowmeter can give data valuable to setting up a PRV chamber and ensuring equal flow across multiple lines. Electronic instrumentation has become increasingly common in many parts of the industry as a fundamental piece of water systems and it is worth incorporating if it is not already.

I’m Interested in Electronic Automation, But I Don’t Want to Abandon Reliable

Pilot Actuators Pilot actuators fit over a pilot and turn the set-point adjusting screw in response to

a control signal. They are not limited to a few pre-chosen set-points but instead can adjust the pilot to any set-

Battery-Operated Latching Solenoids Battery-Operated Latching Solenoids that can be paired with a programmable timer are solenoid valves that do not need constant power to hold a position but instead switch position when they receive a pulse of power. They are ideal for low power applications in remote locations which need pressure modulation set-point changes. Latching Solenoids are commonly used to address the need in water distribution systems for pressure regulation to two set-points at varying times throughout the day. Lowering system pressure during off-peak hours reduces pipe wear and breakage and lowers costs in maintenance and water loss. A latching solenoid on a control valve can switch between high and lowpressure pilots at preset times, removing the need for manual set-point adjustment, but retaining mechanical pilot control.

Pilot Actuator

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MARKET What If I Want More Control and Flexibility?

Two Way Solenoid Control Valve

point in its range. This makes them a good addition to control-valves in applications that need multiple setpoints. Pilot actuators are ideal for adding electronic automation to an existing valve because they are easy to retrofit and simple to control. Since the mechanical pilot is doing the actual modulation, the actuator does not require a complicated control algorithm. Instead, operators just send the desired 4-20mA set-point signal from a control panel, SCADA system, or signal generator. The actuator then adjusts the pilot set-point and the pilot continues to control the valve as usual.

Valve Actuators Valve actuators are used for butterfly valves, ball valves, and other direct acting valves. They work similarly to pilot actuators, except that they are mounted on the main valve rather than on a pilot. These actuators can typically be controlled with a 4-20mA signal. However, valve actuators require a control algorithm and can have complex behavior in modulating applications, making them a bit more difficult to control. These actuators can be retrofitted onto existing valves and are ideal for adding electronic automation to butterfly valves and ball valves.

To get the full potential of electronic automation, consider full electronic control. For diaphragm valves, that means solenoid pilot systems. The main valve is still operated hydraulically via the diaphragm; however, the mechanical pilots are replaced with electronic solenoid pilots. For modulating control, a two-solenoid pilot system is used. A two-solenoid control valve sometimes called a “double clicker”, works by having the solenoids pulse on and off at varying lengths to control the flow of water entering or leaving the valve bonnet, similar to how a mechanical pilot throttles the bonnet flow to modulate the valve. The pulse lengths are determined by a control algorithm to smoothly and accurately bring the valve to its set-point. Dealing with control algorithms can be one of the most daunting aspects of adding electronic automation. However, manufacturers who offer electronic control valves often also offer control panels pre-programmed with algorithms tailored to control their valves. These kinds of readymade, plug-and-play options greatly simplify the switch to electronic automation and make it easy for operators and engineers to adapt to. A panel like the SCP-TP (as seen below) allows both local and remote setpoints, data logging, signal retransmission, alarm notifications, and SCADA communication. It also allows valve control speed and accuracy to be adjusted through the panel. These panels can be connected to SCADA for remote control or act as standalone units. For applications with multiple processes or custom requirements, custom panels like Singer’s

MCP-TP are a good option. Custom panels require more communication to design to your needs, but ultimately they are only as complicated as your requirements.

I’m Still Unsure of What I Need… When in doubt, ask questions. Valve manufacturers and their local representatives are usually happy to help in determining the best fit for a given application. Talking to others who have already implemented electronic automation in their systems can also be helpful for seeing what is possible. Also be sure to know what you want your valve to do and what benefits you want to see from adding electronics. Knowing what you want, seeing what others have done and talking to the experts will get you on the right track to bringing electronic automation to your valves. About the Author Justin Arseneault, an

FORM - IV (SEE RULE 8) 1. Place of Publication 2. Periodicity of its publication 3. Printer's Name Whether citizen of India Address 4. Publisher's Name Whether citizen of India Address 5. Editor's name Whether citizen of India Address

Solenoid Valve: Sensor/ Transmitter: “Sensor” and “Transmitter” are terms often used interchangeably for devices that measure characteristics of a system such as pressure, flow, level, or valve position, and produce an electric signal from that measurement.

AND Shareholders holding more than One per cent of the total capital

Components that move other parts. Within the scope of electronic automation, actuators are generally electric motors that can be used to open/close a valve.

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Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) is the overarching computer system that monitors and controls an entire plant or water distribution system, usually from a central control room.

: Express Towers,1st Floor Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021 : MONTHLY : Ms. Vaidehi Thakar : Yes : Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021 : Ms. Vaidehi Thakar : Yes : Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021 : Mayur Sharma : Yes : Express Towers, 1st Floor Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021 : The Indian Express (P) Ltd Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021 : Indian Express Holdings & Entp Private Limited, Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021 : Mr. Viveck Goenka & Mr. Anant Goenka Express Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021 : Mr. Shekhar Gupta & Mrs. Neelam Jolly C-6/53, Safdarjung Development Area New Delhi 110 016

SCADA: Actuator:

for innovative electronic automation solutions that improve control valve efficiency and functionality.

STATEMENT ABOUT OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS OF EXPRESS WATER, MUMBAI, AS REQUIRED UNDER RULE 8 OF THE REGISTRATION OF NEWSPAPERS (CENTRAL) RULES, 1956

6. Name and address of individuals who own the newspaper

An electronic on/off valve driven by an electromagnet. Solenoids are often used in valve pilot systems for electronic control and can be 2-way, 3-way, or 4-way, similar to ball valves. Solenoids usually hold one position (open or closed) when unpowered and the other when powered.

Instrumentation and Automation Engineer for Singer Valve, is part of the design and commissioning team

I, Vaidehi Thakar, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true and to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date : 1/3/2018

sd/VAIDEHI THAKAR Publisher

March, 2018

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POSTEVENT

TECHNICAL SEMINAR ON ADVANCES IN RO MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES By EW News Bureau

Express Water Exclusive DURING THE SEMINAR, Mayur Sharma talked to - Anand Sathya - Director Geofluid Processors, and the team of LG Chem (Water Solutions Division) - Yasushi Maeda - SME/ Asia Pacific Technical Leader and Younghoon Ko - Application Engineering Manager - Sales & Marketing Team, and Mohd Imran Umar - Country Manager Indian Subcontinent. Excerpts... Yasushi Maeda - SME/Asia Pacific Technical Leader (Water Solutions Division) - LG Chem

A TECHNICAL SEMINAR on the Advances in RO Membrane Technologies was organized on 9th February 2018 at the Hyatt Regency in Chennai for a selective gathering of around 60 water professionals. The team of LG Cheam made technical presentations about LG Water Solutions which is part of LG Chem Ltd and manufactures the full line of NanoH2OTM sweater, brackish water and residential reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. The presenta-

The Interactive Session in Progress

tions were followed by a round of questions and answers. As the LG team explained in detail, NanoH2OTM RO membranes are developed based on innovative Thin Film Nanocomposite (TFN) technology which improves membrane performance by embedding benign nanomaterials in the surface of the membrane. These membranes are said to deliver best in class flux and salt rejection. These membranes are provided in various spiral wound configurations that fit easily into new or existing RO systems.

Please tell us a little about Geofluidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s association with LG Chem. Anand Sathya: We had been trying to associate with a company which could really make a difference in terms of normal TFC membranes which have been running in the market for years. Suddenly NanoH2OTM came in and said we have invented a revolutionary new membrane. And that is when I approached them. Everybody has normal TFC membranes. A TFN membrane is a technological change from the TFC which was invented by Dow. Before TFC, we were all using cellulose acetate, and we had to wait for fifteen-twenty years for the change of technology from TFC to TFN. The TFN is an amazing technology and that is why we decided to bridge the gap and be a technological partner with them about two years ago (before NanoH2OTM was acquired by LG Chem). If you have an amazing polymer you will understand that the membraneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consistent flow rate and consistent pressures will be maintained for a longer period of time, unlike certain TFC membranes.

So, you are now presenting LG Chem in India exclusively?

Joint Team of LG Chem and Geofluid Processors at the Seminar

March, 2018

Anand Sathya: Yes, we are presenting and promoting them exclusively in India. We also have huge installations with respect to replacing competitors. Our strategy forward is that we pick up a competitor site and we do a piloting. For example, we have just done one such piloting in Gujarat and they were incred-

ibly happy with our polymer quality.

Please tell us about the growth markets of these membranes. Anand Sathya: We have many sewage treatment plants coming up across India, for example a big one in Vizag. Chennai has the first desalination plant, with a second one coming up soon, followed by a gigantic one in Mumbai. Both desalination and reuse require RO and there is unbelievable potential in the market as the biggest growth rate in technology is in RO. The membrane is here to stay and we anticipate the market to grow by at least thirty percent every year.

What were the ideas behind the event? Anand Sathya: After every such event, we get a lot of customers and we would like to bring them inside and educate them that membranes are not a commodity, but a technology. There has been a dramatic drop in prices of membranes due to sheer volumes, leading it to be treated like a commodity. But it is the most sacred technology in water today, and that is our primary objective for this event. We are also distributing a water diary with the complete basics of water treatment - people should know technology for sure, but they should know water better.

How do you see India as a market for LG Chem? LG Team: India is a large market, especially with the power plants coming up as well as desalination plants. The applications for RO are wide, so we have large potential markets. Indians know LG as a brand and we aim to let them know that we are in water as well through such events, exhibitions and other marketing ways. Currently, we have one product - Reverse Osmosis. For over 40 years TFC was used and we have brought this down to TFN, which gives better results with same feed pressures.

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POSTEVENT

THIRD NATIONALSUMMITON SUSTAINABLE WATER & SANITATION INDIA Over two days, the event brought together water and sanitation professionals from all over the country. By EW News Bureau

NISPANA INNOVATIVE PLATFORMS, in association with CDD Society India, successfully organized the 3rd National Summit Sustainable Water & Sanitation 2018 at the Sheraton Grande Bengaluru from 18-19 January 2018. The two-day summit was inaugurated by Eshwara Khandre, Minister of Municipalities and Local Bodies (Urban Development Department) and Department of Public Enterprises, Karnataka State Government in the presence of Anjum Parvez, Secretary, Urban Development Department, Dr. Sreedevi Director Municipal

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Administration, Govt. of Telangana, Thiru Prakash Govindsamy, Director, Municipal Administration, Govt. of Tamilnadu and other distinguished guests and personalities. While speaking at the inaugural session, Minister Eshwara Khandre emphasized the need for effective water resource management and also the initiatives towards fecal sludge management in Karnataka. He also announced the sanctions by the State Govt. of Karnataka towards this sector. He also visited the exhibition stalls and interacted with the speakers and dele-

gates. Over 250 participants attended the summit from more than 65 cities, towns and water & sanitation boards from all across India. The participants also took a unique Swacchta Pledge to promote cleanliness and move towards a cleaner India. The

summit hosted more than 30+ speakers who made insightful presentations and case studies and joined in interactive panel discussions. The highlights of the opening day was a case study on Water Harvesting presented by Dr. Rajendra Singh (Waterman of India) and an

interesting keynote from Ravi Narayanan - Chair, Asia Pacific Water Forum. The second day focused on Sustainable Sanitation and Fecal Sludge Management spearheaded by a presentation from Madhu Krishna, Country Head, WASH from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) along with case studies by Utkarsha Kavadi from the AIILSG followed by an interactive discussion moderated by Krishnan Hariharan from DASRA and a panel discussion on Groundwater and Sanitation moderated by Prof. Vishwanath from BIOME. A special field trip to the Devanahalli Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) was also arranged for the interested participants. Photos Courtesy: Nispana

March, 2018

MARKET Express Water Exclusive Mayur Sharma, Editor of Express Water, talked to Eshwara Khandre, the Minister of Municipalities and Local Bodies (Urban Development Department) and Department of Public Enterprises, Karnataka State Government, during the event. Excerpts...

Please tell us about the ongoing efforts on the sustainable water and sanitation, specifically in regard to Karnataka state. Mr. Khandre: Today, the major challenge in the world is sustainable water and sanitation, especially in urban areas because urban areas are growing. There has been an increase in urbanization mainly due to rural migration. In Karnataka itself, the urban population is at forty percent and is expected to rise to fifty percent in the next couple of years. This will put major pressure on us to provide infra-

structure to these increased numbers. Already we have great pressure to provide safe drinking water, roads, drainage, sanitation, etc. When I became the minister, I spoke with the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka and we are planning to allocate more funds for infrastructure projects in the state. In fact, this is our top priority. For example, the Nagarothana project got sanctioned by the government for about 2,857 crores across the state. There are approximately 276 ULBs in Karnataka, 256 of which come under me, all of these have been allocated funds and given top priority for sanitation and drinking water. The projects have already begun.

In your opinion, how an event like this is helpful for the cause? Mr. Khandre: This summit organized by Nispana, CDD, and BODA, is a great event and I am honored to inau-

gurate it. I must congratulate the organizers for this international level summit where a lot of people have come and where lots of new technologies and innovations have been showcased. This summit will create awareness and give input to the government to act and make Swachh Bharat, and Nirmal Bharat a successful mission.

Your thoughts on the FSSM? Mr. Khandre: I would like to emphasize on FSSM - Faecal Sludge and Septage Management because underground drainage systems and sewage treatment is practically becoming quite difficult for the developed cities. Most cites have grown without proper planning, which makes the application of underground drainage systems very difficult. FSSM is a solution which was just introduced a few years back by CDD - they have conceptualized, planned, designed and

Eshwara Khandre, the Minister of Municipalities and Local Bodies (Urban Development Department) and Department of Public Enterprises, Karnataka State Government during interaction with Mayur Sharma, Editor, Express Water

implemented it. It has been successfully done in Devanahalli and I was really impressed with it, as it will save time, it will save money and solve other ground level difficulties. I have, therefore, proposed the implementation of FSSM from 2018-2019 in approximately thirty ULBs. We plan to gradually implement FSSM in all Karnataka towns wherever there is no underground drainage system in place. There are around 276 ULBs in Karnataka, and if we exclude ten corporations then there are around 266 ULBs, out of which nearly 120 are having their underground drain - though in some places a lot of problems are there. We are going to earmark approximately 2,000 crores funding for this from the Karnataka Government and I have already sent the proposal. I hope within one year Karnataka will lead in FSSM and will be a pioneer in the implementation of technology.

VR Raman, Head of Policy, WaterAid India (Photo Credit: WaterAid)

Express Water Exclusive VR Raman, the Head of Policy, WaterAid India was one of the speakers at the summit. Mayur Sharma talked to him about the event and issues like water availability for all and water security.

What are your thoughts on the event? Mr. Raman: This event can play an important role because it brings together various actors. In that

March, 2018

sense, all these conferences play an important role, but who is approaching it from which angle, that is the difficult question. The industry may be approaching to take the knowledge from the experts, which is a very important angle. Or it could only be a marketing angle. We need to, therefore, approach events from the overall outcome and perspective. For the politicians, I think getting them involved is the angle, getting

them into these conferences and taking them through the knowledge elements and evidence. This would assist them in making informed decisions. Their presence is very much required especially like during the inaugural session here - where the ten specific things about the event theme were presented. This would definitely make an impact on the minister and allow him to think from a very reflective point of view. He

would be able to reflect if the matter was being approached correctly, and how are we going about this. That is of importance.

There was a pledge taken by all the participants at the event. And the minister also seemed to appreciate it a lot. Mr. Raman: Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an important soft action. And the hard part is, of course, the implementation - the ten

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MARKET specific things mentioned, how are you implementing those is the question. But I’m sure he will be attending to that so that’s quite positive. One reason why these events are so important is that we get to ask some pertinent questions: Are we actually identifying the right question to answer while developing the objectives of the conference? What are the exact questions this conference is going to answer? Are we answering the already answered questions? Do we have something new to contribute to the knowledge field? This is what I look for in each conference. Here, I am yet to see if we are reaching there, but the discussions and sessions which included me have definitely raised some new dimensions.

Please summarize your panel discussion session for us. Mr. Raman: The session was largely based on the options for sustainable solutions for water security from an ecological perspective and from a long-term perspective. There are many answers which have come up. How to make partnerships between the government, society, private sector and all other players, with clear role clarities. We also discussed how to integrate strategic planning as a pre-process and not as kind of a fire-fighting arrangement, which is quite a critical point. Facilitating the right kind of research for decision making was also discussed. What can I, as a decision maker, take away from this session? In that aspect, each session needs to have its own objectives and these objectives need to be known to all the panelists. Thereafter all the panelists should contribute accordingly.

Can you highlight the challenges in India in terms of state of water, and the way forward? Mr. Raman: We have set up a very ambitious goal for ourselves as a country. The government says that by 2022, ninety percent of all households will have individual piped water connections. We are currently standing at seventeen percent - in terms of access it is thirty-five percent but in terms of household level, it is seventeen percent. By 2017, we were supposed to be at fifty percent access. These numbers itself are saying it is important to be ambitious at the government level, otherwise we cannot achieve our target.

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I will look at how we are matching that ambition. What installations and measures have we set up? Are they adequate? If we are to provide all rural habitats with piped water, what is this going to entail in terms of funding? That is the starting point. Last year, our budget was approximately 6000 crores and we need approximately 600,000 crores for the entire 3-4 years of the mission, which means we need more than 60,000 crores per annum but we are only allocating about 6,000. This is probably because the Swach Bharat mission requires more allocations. So, the government has to look at the money allocated - that is the challenge - how the government is going to find the resources for making this commitment a reality.

If power has not reached all the villages yet, how will water reach? Mr. Raman: One of the interesting twists between power and water is that water is a shared resource available at the community level. Power is something you have to bring. You don’t have to necessarily bring water. In Telangana, they are trying to do it through the mission Bhagirathi program, making the water travel a long distance. Similarly, there is the Sardar Sarovar project in Gujarat. But that is not needed for small communities - here you can look for and tap the resources of the groundwater and solar power is very much there. With alternative energy, you need to find the sources to use it, so these are the places we can use alternative energy. About power again, in China - which is, of course, a much larger country and much larger population, they have small decentralized hydropower projects which cater to a small area rather than looking for a mega project. This is something we should also aim for - if we have to address large scale then probably the scale of projects should be large rather than mega. We cannot look at national government policies and predict what is going to happen at the state-level, but state level policies are equally important. In that sense, the seriousness with which central policies are communicated, and the follow-up action the central government takes with the state government to make a similar reflection by the state, is the

important question. I have seen this happening in Bihar and Telangana where there are very clear allocations for this purpose. Many other states still do the traditional allocation. It is also not very clear whether piped drinking water is there in the mission or not, so one major thing we need to work towards is getting the commitment of the state governments. It starts with their commitment.

How to ensure the quality of drinking water at the ground level? Mr. Raman: We already have district level laboratories set up but they are only looking at specific chemical contamination. Once a water source is found to be a contaminated water source, what are we doing with it? Is it closed? The protocol is that it is red marked and closed. But the access that we report continues, meaning the water source is still reported despite it being shut down. Thus, the numbers that we see about water access are a major mismatch. That is where local sources are useful. How are we decentralizing the quality testing and once the quality is found to be poor or contaminated or undrinkable, then what are the immediate next steps as a protocol that the district or state level government should take - this binding should be there. One of the gaps here is that water is seen as a right to life as per the principles of the constitution, but there is no specific right to water. This often becomes an issue - whenever there is a convenience, water becomes a right. Whenever there is a difficulty, water becomes a service and welfare kind of a measure. We need to have systems for quality checking in terms of chemical contamination and in terms of bacterial/ biological contamination. For this purpose, our current system needs to be revamped and we need more trained lab technicians - trained very specifically on how to handle things in a very faster way rather than routinely.

Can the Government do this on its own, or does it need to rope in the private sector? Mr. Raman: Whenever we use the word private, the first thing which comes to mind is the profit point. The social responsibility of the private

sectors should be tapped for this purpose. You can take profit, but not beyond a certain point, so this should be regulated. Then you see what kind of water source people are getting, how communities can manage it together, their capacity building, etc., all that needs to be thought through. We don’t have a parallel system to watch what is happening, some sort of a watchdog function in the communities. There should be some sort of a triangulation with the government. There should be some parallel citizen system which reconfirms that our water supply is as good as the government says or that our water supply is not up to the mark. It should be both ways - to verify and question what the government says. This system should be there at a community level. Like many other lateral governments our government should also set up community level monitoring systems, data triangulation systems, and other such mechanisms. For technologies, we can probably set up community level apps using android phones, having programs to look at the water quality in all the various necessary parameters. How can we report back the water quality to the central government and get back feedback on that situation, what kind of actions can be taken, these are things we need to do via technological introductions.

Can you give us examples where this is currently happening? Mr. Raman: It is happening in India as well on the pilot basis. AKVO is such an organization, and the INREM Foundation. They are actually providing these alternative solutions in a very important way. And when there is a water leakage issue in the drinking water supply system you can use a sensor to understand where the leak is and immediately fix it. This kind of new thinking needs to happen rather than going by the old PHED systems. PHED also needs to be revamped.

Please tell us more about educating the community. Mr. Raman: Currently we are using the Jaldhara kit which can look at many of these things and parameters. Thus, you can test the water quality then and there and if there is a problem, you send it to the government for verification.

March, 2018

OUT OF THE BOX

KSB Group Takes Action Against Asian Brand and TrademarkInfringers While counterfeiting is a serious global problem for all pump manufacturers, it is also a problem for would-be pump buyers. By Bryan Orchard

The KSB Etanorm Pump Series is an International Best Seller, But Has Been the Subject of Counterfeiting.

Association represents more than 3,200 mostly mediumsized companies in the capital goods industry, making it the largest industry association in Europe. In its 2016 Product Piracy Study, 70 percent of its participating companies indicated that they were victims of product or brand piracy. Its findings indicated that the damage to Germany’s mechanical engineering sector was estimated to be € 7.1 billion every year.

Internet Expansion WHEN THE SUBJECTS OF counterfeiting and infringing trademarks and patents are discussed, it is a commonlyheld view that this happens predominantly in the consumer goods markets where large global organizations go to extreme lengths to protect their brands and corporate identities. The global market in counterfeit goods costs companies many billions in lost revenues and it goes way beyond high profile consumer goods. Manufacturers of capital goods are also affected significantly by the illegal activities of enterprises that go to great lengths to copy their products and distribute and sell them as genuine items. They have no concerns about the potentially dangerous consequences of their illegal activities. The international pump industry is no stranger to counterfeiting and the challenges that many of the leading brands face in trying to fight what is termed

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‘low-end disruption’. Cynics may say that the global leaders in pump technology would want to close down any competition in order to maintain their profit margins, and there may be an element of truth in this. However, the use of counterfeit pumps across all areas of fluid handling puts the end-users at the risk of damaging their production equipment, producing sub-standard products that do not comply with international regulations, contributing to environmental pollution and putting employees and the public at risk. Those end-users that knowingly purchase counterfeit pumps and components are equally complicit in this pernicious trade. Many German industrial enterprises are complaining about soaring problems with counterfeit products from China. The VDMA (Verbund Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau) Mechanical Engineering Industry

Whilst the rapid growth in the internet has brought huge benefits, it has also created opportunities for unscrupulous individuals and organizations to conduct illegal operations that can seriously harm legitimate businesses. Within the framework of the globalization and digitalization of business models, large-sized and high-priced investment goods are now also sold over the Internet. This is leading to a sharp increase in brand and trademark infringements regarding offers made on online platforms. Over the last few years, the German-based pump and valve manufacturer KSB has been closely monitoring this situation. The KSB Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of pumps, valves, and related services, with applications ranging from building services, industry and water transport to wastewater treatment and power plant processes. The company has a

presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organizations, manufacturing facilities and service operations. The success of the company is based on innovative technology that is the fruit of its own research and development activities in hydraulics, materials development and the automation of pumps and valves. According to Franz Bosbach, KSB Technology Foresight, a significant number of Asian manufacturers are using the good reputation of the long-established manufacturer KSB to market their products. “Under protected KSB brand names, they offer pumps and valves as well as spare parts for sale on international trading platforms,” comments Bosbach. “In particular, the names of well-known products such as Etanorm, Omega, and BOA, are frequently used. But the umbrella brand ‘KSB’ is also often misused to maliciously deceive the targeted

buyers.” Not content to sit back and let this situation continue, KSB is being proactive in tackling both the manufacturers and the online shops selling the counterfeit products. To put a stop to these activities that are harmful to its business, KSB has now established a task force to combat these illicit activities. In cooperation with Italian project partner Convey, KSB is reporting these infringements to the platform operators and instructing them to take down the offending offers. If necessary, legal action is also brought against the brand and trademark infringers. It is proving to be highly successful for in its first year, starting in July 2016, the KSB Group identified 420 marketers on eight different online platforms who had been illegally misusing its product names. Between April and August 2017 it uncovered 4,000 illegal offers and had them removed

KSB Goes to Great Lengths to Protect its Brands and Reputation Around the World and Has Set-Up a Task Force to Combat and Shut Down Illicit Activities.

March, 2018

OUT OF THE BOX from the associated trading platforms. “This is a great success for KSB since KSB stands for reliability, quality, and know-how, especially in Asia. Our policy is to continue identifying counterfeits on Chinese trading platforms in order to defend KSB’s brand and trademark rights more vigorously,” continues Bosbach.

Global Challenge Clearly counterfeiting is a serious global problem for all pump manufacturers, but it is also a problem for would-be pump buyers. Many of the counterfeiters use sophisticated techniques to replicate the OEM’s website and this makes it very difficult to check product authenticity. Buying pumps that claim to be from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and then fail because they are counterfeits, can do major harm to the user’s business, not to mention the OEM’s reputation. Counterfeiters will go to great lengths to replicate the true product employing reverse engineering techniques. This low-end disruption is a problem that is of major concern not only to KSB but many other global brands. “KSB has many brands that are several years old and are well-established and are regarded as a premium product,” says Bosbach. “We are constantly upgrading these brands to meet our customer’s requirement and to offer improved operation, but this adds costs to the purchase prices and end-users are not always willing to pay more. We are aware of one Chinese manufacturer that has built up a considerable customer base selling a copy of one of our established brands. The quality is not the same as the KSB product, but some customers are willing to accept the risk because it is cheaper than the true KSB pump. By taking down these manufacturers before they get too big we protect our brands, quality and sales reputation.”

Convey Cooperation

March, 2018

Franz Bosbach says that KSB is highly active in tracking down counterfeiters and getting them closed down. “The problem is that it can take a long time to take them down. For a single company like us, it is difficult to get a platform to take down a counterfeiter’s site so it was for that reason we teamed up with Convey,” he reports. “They have established connections with all the major platforms and this gives them considerable influence.” Italian-based Convey is an internet brand protection agency and hunts down fakes. The internet is probably the cornerstone of the counterfeit industry, and Convey has a dedicated team of engineers to develop new products to detect counterfeiters and multi-lingual experts in international property rights. Once a counterfeiter has been tracked down, Convey take the appropriate action to defend its clients’ brands. Whilst China leads the world in the manufacture and sales of counterfeit products, the irony is that some Chinese manufacturers are turning to the resources of companies like Convey to protect their own products. “Throughout the world, there are a great many platforms which make it easy to set up an online shop,” says Michele Provera, VicePresident IPR Protection Convey SRL. “In the pumps and valves industries, there are the manufacturers who make counterfeit products and traders who sell counterfeit products. Many of these traders sell any number of pump and valve brands and not all customers are endusers. Thus the counterfeit sales chain is complex. The internet provides counterfeiters with a world-wide market and anonymity. Then there are spare parts, where the number of units purchased can run into thousands.” Michele Provera continues: “In our first year of working with KSB we concentrated on manufacturers selling in China and South East Asia as

they are the starting off a point in the trade. It is very difficult to shut down the manufacturers, but we can take steps to reduce and shut-down their sales over the internet. We have sophisticated technologies called ‘crawlers’ designed in-house that can analyze hundreds of thousands of web pages on the internet each day. We are able to detect all the shops selling KSB products and we can see the products that they are selling, the prices, suppliers and where they have come from.” KSB recognizes that counterfeiting has been a problem for a long time, but identifying rogue sellers has been difficult and taking them down took a long time and involved considerable resources. With the expansion of the internet and growth in counterfeiters setting up websites, the incidents of counterfeiting have a higher visibility so it is possible to take them down more effectively. However, as soon as KSB takes a site down which has been selling counterfeit products, the site re-emerges often selling competitors’ products. Convey has been checking twenty online trading platforms and eight social media channels for KSB to root out counterfeits. In future, patent and design rights are to be added to the monitoring of brand and trademark rights. It is also possible that the number of trading platforms to be checked will be increased and that the project will be further expanded globally. “KSB has a great many registered trademarks and patent rights so we can see if the products being offered are registered,” says Provera. “If they are not then we can instigate enforcement procedures to take the offending websites down. The seller receives a warning and if they fail to respond we alert their service provider to the violation of intellectual property rights via their network. This involves issuing Take Down notices to the website hosting providers informing them of infringements, for they are legally

obliged to cease transmission in such instances. If they do not take action, then they become liable to prosecution by KSB. This approach is very effective. Most sellers remove their offers after the first warning.” Many websites operate a penalty points system, so when the first notice of infringement is issued they will be served a penalty point. If they ignore this, a second penalty is issued and again if this is ignored then the site is shut down with immediate effect. Within the pumps and valves industry, it is highly probable that the trader is selling any number of manufacturers’ brands, so by shutting down the website, the trader can lose its entire portfolio of products. This approach is more effective than instigating legal procedures which are expensive, complicated and take a long time. In the meantime, the seller can move their trade elsewhere or continue under a new name. Convey makes sure an offer is taken off the internet within days and that the seller is removed from the marketplace.

The China Connection In China, arresting the people behind the counterfeits is one of the central elements of the work with KSB. It is not enough to merely delete a counterfeiter’s offer. The goal must be to shut down this shop on the respective trading platform and ensure through constant checks that the trader does not open a new shop. This requires close cooperation between the parties involved. Due to the excellent contacts between Convey and the platform provider Alibaba and their IP complaint systems, these infringements of law can be quickly eliminated. This is also in Alibaba’s interest since the company does not wish to find these infringements of law in the wider Chinese eshopping marketplace either. According to Michele Provera those responsible at Alibaba want to ensure that Western

companies have secure access and are able to examine the associated legal bases. Convey takes care of that for KSB as its team includes law enforcement specialists who are qualified in trademark and patent law and speak Mandarin Chinese fluently. In close cooperation with its subsidiary in Shanghai and local lawyers, KSB takes legal action against serious violations of law.

Summary The pump industry is probably one of the most exposed to counterfeiting and it is huge and is worth many billions of dollars. For KSB, and for a great many other companies, the major problem is what happens when a company buys what it believes to be a genuine product and it turns out to be a fake. The failure of a pump or valve can have very serious consequences, so should such a situation arise then the user will usually take issue with the manufacturer. Problems can also arise when a counterfeit component is fitted as a replacement in a genuine KSB pump and then causes damage to the pump. Investigating claims for compensation can be complex and costly and the onus is on the manufacturer to prove that the product is a counterfeit. Where litigation is enforced, courts may well acknowledge that the product is a counterfeit. However, they will argue that it is not sufficient to prove that it is a counterfeit but to demonstrate that the manufacturer has taken action against the counterfeiter. If it can be shown that efforts were not undertaken then the manufacturer can be charged with negligence. What KSB is doing by working with Convey is to show that it is taking all possible steps to close eliminate counterfeiters internationally and protect its patents and trademarks. About the Author Bryan Orchard is an international freelance journalist who specializes in water & environmental engineering.

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REGD. WITH RNI NO. MAHENG/2017/74894