FROM REACTIVE TO PREDICTIVE: Digitalisation of the water sector

A large portion of the critical infrastructure on water treatment plants (WTPs) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is electrical. What can be done to optimise and prolong the performance of this equipment?

Electrical equipment like pumps, motors, control panels, blowers, compressors, transformers, telemetry systems, variablespeed drives, distribution boards, circuit breakers, and process instrumentation must work efficiently and reliably. This is where Schneider Electric comes in – we can monitor this equipment, optimise parameters, and adjust operations in real time,” explains Peter Marumong, segment leader: Water and Wastewater, Schneider Electric South Africa.

Monitoring can take place at all points where power is consumed, measuring the quality of power and implementing power factor correction where necessary. Schneider Electric’s power factor correction units can prolong the operating life of electrical equipment and improve system power capacity, eliminating lagging or leading power factor values and errors, as well as reducing voltage fluctuations.

Energy efficiency

WTPs and WWTPs are recognised as one of the biggest energy consumers within municipalities, making energy-efficiency improvements critical to these operations. The indications are that, on average, water and wastewater accounts for some 17% of energy consumption in a South African metro.

“Through monitoring, WTPs and WWTPs can implement various measures to become energy efficient. For example, by monitoring the performance of aerators and the volume of water that passes through that treatment process, a plant can alter the speed of the pump, making sure that the optimum amount of air is in the system,” adds Marumong.

Schneider Electric’s Scada systems make remote and asset monitoring possible, where experienced professionals can provide support and guidance to less experienced workers from afar.

Loadshedding

Peter Marumong, segment leader: Water and Wastewater, Schneider Electric South Africa

The company also supplies uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protection and management solutions for WTPs and WWTPs, and also has the capability to monitor UPS performance. Electronic and electrical equipment is not designed to withstand an onslaught of surges, continued interruptions, and on/off switching multiple times a day.

Loadshedding can have a negative impact on the Blue Drop and Green Drop certifications of WTPs and WWTPs respectively. It has an adverse effect on bulk water abstraction, purification, and distribution activities. Interrupted electricity supply also increases the risk of sewage spillages and can result in water below the recommended quality levels for wastewater treatment plants being discharged and water not being treated properly in water treatment plants.

“Digitalisation in water and wastewater treatment contributes towards improved efficiency, resource optimisation, compliance, and overall resilience, ultimately ensuring the delivery of safe and high-quality water to communities. Schneider Electric forms partnerships with WTPs and WWTPs, assisting them in the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and upgrades of their plants. In a nutshell, Schneider Electric can help the water sector shift its operations, maintenance, and emergency responses from reactive to predictive, helping them to use assets more effectively and avoid unscheduled downtime,” concludes Marumong.

Modelling in the water sector contributes to efficient resource management, improved infrastructure design, and better decision-making –ultimately leading to sustainable water use and environmental conservation.

By Kerry Grimmer, principal hydrologist, SRK Consulting