Clean Water Projects
The following project summaries provide a brief description of recent key projects undertaken by Urban Water Solutions (UWS) or by key staff:
Project Title: |
Yarra Valley Water - Pressure Managed Area (PMA) Review |
Client: |
Yarra Valley Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2011
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UWS has been commissioned to assist Yarra Valley Water (YVW) with the review of various proposed PMAs. These PMAs are to undergo rigorous review to assess their financial viability and to optimise the placement and controls to be utilised for the affected areas. This project is utilising the expertise of UWS’ Principal Water Loss Specialist, as well as YVW’s existing cleanwater hydraulic models. These models will be used to determine if a proposed location for a PRV has been adequately optimised, or if a more suitable location can be determined. Site investigations, together with a full financial review, will also be undertaken. |
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Project Title: |
Technical Advisor for Water Modelling |
Client: |
Orange City Council, NSW Australia |
Date:
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2010 - ongoing
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UWS is providing technical assistance to Orange City Council (NSW) in developing a hydraulic model of their water supply system. The tasks include the generation of specification documents, the supervision of the field testing, the model build and calibration of Orange water distribution system. A review of the SCADA meters accuracy has been performed before recommending locations for the field monitors. UWS presented to the project team the options available to conduct a field monitoring exercise using purchased equipment or engaging field monitoring contractors and how to optimise the benefits to OCC of such an exercise. |
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Project Title: |
2009/2010 Hydraulic Modelling and 25 Year Asset Strategy |
Client: |
Yarra Valley Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2010
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UWS was engaged to build, calibrate/validate and develop asset management strategies as part of Yarra Valley Water’s 2009/2010 Hydraulic Modelling and Related Services Program. Three models; Ringwood, Craigieburn and Emerald were calibrated and studied using H2OMAP Water. UWS assisted YVW in the preparation of the field monitoring program and reviewed field data to be used for the model calibration. UWS developed Dry Summer Day, 95th percentile Day and Average Day demand profiles to study the current zone performance of each models following YVW’s Specification requirements. Following the model calibration, the projected population growth was input to the model to study future demands and system performance. The findings of this study were used to prepare a 25-Year Asset Strategy Schedule which detailed the major investments, costings and required timings. |
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Project Title: |
Model Setup Requirements |
Client: |
Melbourne Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2010
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UWS was engaged to assist Melbourne Water with the generation of a sensitivity analysis for the strategy using a base model of the Western Melbourne systems built in H2OMAP Water. As par of the data collection and review process, UWS retrieved the operating rules for winter and summer times, reviewed new assets to be added to the existing model and discussed scenarios. After updating the controls, demand patterns and boundary conditions of the base model, UWS generated strategy scenarios including all the queries, data sets and query sets. |
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Project Title: |
Melaka Model Builds, SAMB NRW Reduction |
Client: |
Ranhill Water Services SDN. BHD., Malaysia |
Date:
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2009 - Sept 2010
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UWS was commissioned by Ranhill Water Services to build all pipe hydraulic water network models of the state wide Melaka distribution system providing water services to over 800,000 customers, as part of the SAMB NRW Reduction project. The first task was to verify the existing GIS information with site inspections. The second task was to digitise this information into InfoWorks WS and then commence with the calibration of the hydraulic models. The models were calibrated utilising collected GPS and field monitoring data. The models were reviewed, calibrated and delivered with continued training provided to the client. |
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Project Title: |
System Wide Water Model Build Project |
Client: |
Hunter Water Corporation, NSW, Australia |
Date:
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2009 - 2010
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UWS were engaged by Hunter Water Corporation to assist them in their updated water modelling program using Infoworks WS. The entire water supply system was divided into six major network models. UWS provided two modellers to the combined project team and were responsible for the following key aspects of the project; Development of model build specifications and site specific protocols; Development of a comprehensive quality management system in concert with the specifications; Model build, validation, verification and reporting for two of the six systems; Provision of on-site training and trouble shooting. The project was completed ahead of time and required only 65% of the upper limiting fee budget. |
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Project Title: |
Model Build, Monitoring, Calibration and Master Planning Program |
Client: |
Yarra Valley Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2009 - 2010
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UWS were awarded YVW’s 2009/10 water supply and master planning program comprising 3 super zones; Craigieburn, Ringwood and Emerald-Cockatoo, servicing over 22,000 residential and 2,000 non residential customers. The scope of the projects included model building, development of field monitoring plans, engaging and project managing a field monitoring contractor, model calibration, incorporating future growth into the models and development of master plans for 5 year event horizons to 2035. |
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Project Title: |
Condition Assessment / Leak Detection |
Client: |
Central Highlands Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2009
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6.1km of distribution mains were surveyed for condition assessment and leakage detection. The project undertaken by Echologics surveyed mild steel concrete lined mains, laid 1941–1950. The results gave Central Highlands Water remaining pipe wall thickness, that when compared to original thickness allowed prioritisation of their asset maintenance. Generally, the survey confirmed that pipe condition was better than originally assumed through analysis of other factors (ground chemistry, burst history, age, etc.). One section was confirmed to have loss of 32% of wall thickness and has been prioritised for further analysis. At the same time as the condition assessment was carried out a leak detection survey was undertaken which located a leak which CHW plan to investigate. |
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Project Title: |
Sewer Main Condition Assessment / Leak Detection |
Client: |
Gosford City Council, NSW Australia |
Date:
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2009
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Gosford City Council commissioned a condition assessment of three sections of forced sewer mains. This was the first Australian project where non-destructive acoustic surveys were used to assess condition of sewer mains. Of the three sections surveyed, Section 1 (375mm AC) was confirmed to be in poor condition with a 61% reduction in wall thickness and should be prioritised for replacement. Section 2 (300mm MSCL) was confirmed to be in good condition with 4.3% reduction in pipe wall thickness. Section 3 (300mm MSCL) could not be condition assessed due to a 0-150Hz frequency leak, which was pinpointed by this project and should be repaired prior to repeating the condition assessment. The location of the leak was at the lagoon edge and is recommended for repair for environmental reasons. |
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Project Title: |
Water Main Condition Assessment / Leak Detection |
Client: |
Gosford City Council, NSW Australia |
Date:
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2009
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10.7km of distribution mains and 1.9km of trunk mains were surveyed for condition assessment and leak detection. Distribution mains ranged in size from 100-200mm of AC and Cast Iron Concrete Lined materials. Trunk mains were 450-500mm Cast Iron Concrete Lined. Results of the condition assessment were presented as percentage reduced pipe wall thickness, based on original nominal data provided by Gosford City Council, in tables and plans. 14 leaks were pinpointed during the survey, including leaks on AC mains, which are usually hard to find. |
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Project Title: |
Acoustic Leak Detection |
Client: |
Goulburn Valley Water, VIC Australia |
Date:
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2009
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GVW identified 3.2km of 150mm UPVC mains with potentially high non-revenue water losses. UWS, with Echologics Engineering, surveyed the PRV distribution mains using hydrophones and the latest generation of leak noise correlator – LeakFinderRT. Seven leaks were pinpointed; also intermittent usage was traced to an unmetered supply. Additional recommendations were made to assist with resolution of reservoir spillage and GIS updates. |
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Project Title: |
Leak Detection Trial |
Client: |
Sydney Water, NSW Australia |
Date:
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2009
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The Echologics LeakfinderRT was trialled in Sydney for verification of its trunk main leak detection capability. A length of 865m of 600mm Cast Iron Concrete Lined main was selected to test alternate large-diameter mains leak detection technologies. Leaks were simulated by opening of fire hydrants by varied degrees in alternate locations. The LeakFinderRT pinpointed eight of nine simulated leaks with an average accuracy of 2% and pinpointed a leak as small as 0.1L/s flow. |
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Project Title: |
M22 Pipeline Leak Detection |
Client: |
Melbourne Water, VIC Australi |
Date:
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2009
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The M22 Mitcham-Notting Hill Main is Mild Steel Concrete Lined; 5.7km were surveyed for leakage. The diameter of the pipe was 1,150mm for 3.0km and 750mm for 2.7km. Leaks were simulated on site to confirm the settings of Echologics’ LeakFinderRT. These were pinpointed after additional signal processing. A leak was found on site in spite of the long correlation lengths that were necessary, due to minimal fittings on trunk mains. The leak was pinpointed to a location under a creek and is to be physically verified. |
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Project Title: |
Wagga Wagga City Model Build & Calibration |
Client: |
Riverina Water County Council, NSW |
Date:
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2008 - 2010
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Following on from the project management of the field monitoring of the Wagga Wagga water distribution system; consisting of retrieval and review of in excess of 150 forms of pressure and flow data, UWS have successfully been undertaken the model build and calibration of the system for Riverina Water County Council (RWCC). This exercise has involved the secondment of staff from UWS into RWCC’s offices to assist them with the updating of their GIS and billing systems; leading to the generation and subsequent calibration of their model. |
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Project Title: |
Active Leakage Reduction Plan |
Client: |
Western Water, Victoria |
Date:
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2007 - Ongoing
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UWS is working with Western Water to implement the water loss reduction strategy – ALRP. Areas of high non‐revenue water have been targeted for the design of district meter areas, which will be later pressure managed to assist with achieving target water loss reduction. Additional aspects to the ALRP are water meter replacements, water balance analysis, customer meter lag correction and active leakage control. |
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Project Title: |
Technical Advisor – ongoing |
Client: |
Coliban Water, Victoria, Australia |
Date:
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2008
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UWS were commissioned to provide Coliban Water (CW) with technical hydraulic modelling experience and expertise. Generated specifications for: Model Building, Field Testing and Calibration. CW used these specifications in the successful generation of their cleanwater hydraulic model of Bendigo. This role provided CW with the ability to check and review that all internal staff and external consultants undertaking modelling for Coliban Water followed the same process. This in turn will lead to the provision of review services for CW’s future Modelling and Master Planning projects. |
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Project Title: |
Technical Advisor |
Client: |
Riverina Water County Council, NSW, Australia |
Date:
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2006 - 2008
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Currently providing Technical Advisor role to Riverina Water County Council, in the generation of their rural water distribution models as well as their monitoring plans for the city of Wagga Wagga. Generated their Field Testing specification and brief for current program of pressure and flow monitoring. Further advice and assistance will be given in the model building and calibration stages of this project. This will also lead to the provision of services with RWCC’s Master Planning program of works. |
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Project Title: |
Mardi High Lift Pumping Station – Gosford Distribution Works |
Client: |
Gosford City Council, NSW |
Date:
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2009
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Gosford Wyong Water Authority plan to commence construction of the new 160 ML/d Mardi High Lift pumping station in 2009 which will provide Gosford City Council access to lower cost water supplied from the Wyong River. To maximise the use of this water source, capital works and revised operating protocols are being investigated using a hydraulic model of Gosford’s distribution system. The project involves revising the existing model for a range of planning horizons and investigating the options available for transferring Wyong River water to all of Gosford’s four major distribution systems. |
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Project Title: |
Euroa & Kyabram Master Plans |
Client: |
Goulburn Valley Water, Victoria, Australia |
Date:
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2007
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This project identified the capital works required to improve the hydraulic performance of both the Kyabram and Euroa Water Networks for the next twenty years to meet the desired level of service required by Goulburn Valley Water. Assessment of the townships involved consideration of existing and predicted developments and location and timing of works required to maintain GVW’s standards for level of service. The demand forecasts generated by GVW were applied to the existing computerised hydraulic model (H2ONet) and scenarios generated relative to the corresponding increases in demands for the future years of 2012, 2017 and 2027. A sensitivity analysis was performed on demands for each future year scenario based on outcomes of lower, base and upper bound growth scenarios. The estimated total capital cost for works identified for both townships was approximately $1.7M. |
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Project Title: |
System Loss Management Plan |
Client: |
Western Water, Victoria, Australia |
Date:
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2007
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Project Manager for assessment of Western Water’s supply systems to identify potentials for water demand management interventions including leak detection and pressure reduction. The assessment was undertaken by a third party consultancy on behalf of Western Water. |
Project Title: |
Various Modelling Assignments |
Client: |
City West Water, Victoria, Australia |
Date:
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2006 - 2007
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Undertaking model building, field data review, demand definition and model calibration for various zones located within City West Water’s distribution system. City West Water is one of the three metropolitan water providers for the city of Melbourne, Victoria. City West Water were also utilising the services of H2O Team to assist them in the designing and determination of a Pressure Management Zone within one of their existing water distribution systems. Both of these projects were undertaken using SynerGEE (Advantica Stoner) hydraulic modelling software. |
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Project Title: |
Seymour and Cobram |
Client: |
Goulburn Valley Water, Victoria, Australia |
Date:
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2006
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This project identified the capital works required to improve the hydraulic performance of both the Seymour and Cobram Water Networks for the next 20 years to meet the desired level of service required by Goulburn Valley Water. Assessment of the townships involved consideration of existing and predicted developments and location and timing of works required to maintain GVW’s standards for level of service. The demand forecasts generated by GVW were applied to the existing computerised hydraulic model (H2ONet) and scenarios generated relative to the corresponding increases in demands for the future years of 2011, 2016 and 2026. A sensitivity analysis was performed on demands for each future year scenario based on outcomes of lower, base and upper bound growth scenarios. The estimated total capital cost for works identified for both townships was approximately $850,000. |