Large-Scale Water Treatment Systems: The Mistakes You Need to Avoid
Posted on: 17 July 2020
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Water is an essential resource. Sadly, good-quality water is becoming scarce as populations grow every day. This is why water engineering is an important element when it comes to civil works. The focus is to create and sustain water systems that will make good-quality water available to all people, especially in densely populated cities and institutions such as schools and hospitals. One way you can do this is to construct large-scale water treatment systems to refine bad water into a resource that people can use. These kinds of civil projects can be marred with lots of mistakes, and they are discussed here to help you avoid them:
Over-Reliance on Cartridge Filters
The first thing water engineers think about is ensuring that the water supply is clean and safe. The process begins with removing the basic impurities in the water. These are the total suspended soils and fine grit that discolour the water. They also make it unfit for consumption because of the minerals contained in the particles. Typically, there is a tendency to rely on cartridge filters to eliminate the total suspended solids. The technique is not effective despite the money it will save at the beginning of the project.
Instead, incorporate equipment that measure the silt density index of the water into the civil works project. The equipment will give you a good measure of the multimedia filters you will need to install at various points in the network of pipes.
Operator-Free Systems
Water engineering projects supplying water on a large scale are not similar to your domestic plumbing connections at home. They are complex and require close monitoring. However, do not let the magnitude of civil work projects fool you into opting for a fully automated project. You still need human intervention for the optimal performance of the equipment you install. Personnel must be present to keep an eye on the flow rates in the pipework, pressure levels and conductivity statuses. Their input is essential for identifying problems with things such as membranes, which facilitates timely replacement.
Design Failure
Design failure is another common problem when it comes to treatment plants. You need to ensure that you use the design elements to collect and store lots of water for treatment and recycling. Incorporate stormwater tanks and pits to redirect the flow of unwanted runoff water from the treatment plants. Such design features are essential for ensuring that your treatment maintains its integrity and supply of good-quality water.