Water usage globally is doubling every 20 years. It is therefore unsurprising that wastewater facilities have evolved from waste disposal systems to resource recovery systems with an industry-wide drive to reclaim and reuse. As the demand for water increases in Australia, so has pressure on facilities to have reliable backup power systems to ensure a continuous and safe supply.
Like other industries, water and wastewater treatment has gone high tech. Computers now control water processing and delivery systems, and sophisticated digital water meters and data analysis can improve operations and reduce costs.
Additionally, the industry is seeing an increase in the requirement for waste removal methods such as membrane and thermal technology, high-efficiency centrifugal filters, biogas-fuelled cogeneration systems and ultraviolet light disinfection—all of which require more power than traditional methods.
These technological innovations along with aging infrastructure and tightening regulations mean that a reliable power supply is more critical than ever.
In the event of a power outage, reliable backup systems are vital to keep pumps and other key equipment running, and avoid potential consumer safety issues.
Continuous power is also necessary to prevent flooding and discharge of untreated wastewater, which can lead to environmental issues and fines.
While some facilities look to backup power solely during outages, others use generators to offset the power supply needed during peak season, especially during mid-afternoon in summer.
Ultimately, facilities require backup systems that start quickly and reliably, as any interruption in the water treatment process can be expensive or dangerous to water consumers.
If your backup power system supports central facilities, as well as critical lifting and pumping sites, it must perform without fail under various operating conditions. Robust starting of electric motors is essential to keep water flowing efficiently through the treatment process.
Generator sets have the ability to provide backup power within seconds of a break in utility power supply, and transfer switches should provide seamless automatic switching between the electrical power from the utility and the backup power system.
Is your facility equipped to handle a complete or prolonged loss of power?
CAPS Australia has extensive experience in the end-to-end delivery of reliable, custom-designed power systems for water and wastewater treatment plants across the country including Rubyanna, Mundaring and Cobbler Creek.
As a long-time national agent for the world-renowned Kohler product, CAPS assures a solution that fits your business and your budget. Even if you already have a backup system installed, CAPS in-house Specialist Engineering Team can assess your current solution to ensure it meets your facility’s supply demands.
This partner content is brought to you by CAPS. For more information, contact CAPS on 1800 800 878, via email info@caps.com.au or visit caps.com.au for local branch details.
