Water & Wastewater Treatment

Electrical installation: what water treatment companies need to know The Talk: opinion T he water treatment process relies upon a number of specialist suppli- ers and package plant providers, all of which must be carefully coordinated with one another and incorporated into the plant's overall design. Above all, early engagement of the electrical contractor is key to achieving this goal and is helpful when putting a plan in place which deliv- ers on all commercial and operational objectives. Working alongside a specialist with the capability of undertaking both the electrical installation and build of control panels can prove instrumental in driving effective project delivery. One common pitfall when building a new water treatment plant is the failure to ensure effective communication between suppliers. Take support brackets, for example. Suppliers must work closely to ensure that primary brackets are designed and situated so that both the mechanical and electrical contractor can easily route their pipework and contain- ment systems around the site. Failing to plan for this can ultimately impact the quality of the installation and create unnecessary work at a later stage, impacting timescales and budgets. Another common pitfall is the failure to sequence the works in a way which can minimise the overall programme and ensure productivity at site. The water industry is well known for its particular set of standards. These standards not only ensure installations are completed to a high specification, but also minimise the need for diverse training requirements for operating and maintaining the plant. Working with utilities providers to combine these standards with other installation methods and latest technological advances has proven an effective problem-solving solution. built at external facilities, transported to work sites and assembled as and when required, minimising the time contractors need to spend on site and reducing the need to store bulky items whilst other works are ongoing. In order to continue meeting the demands of an ever-growing population, the efficient and cost-effective delivery of new water treatment plants will be crucial. By working with an experienced contrac- tor, with specialist knowledge of industry standards, utilities providers can optimise results from new projects whilst ensuring plants stand the test of time. When launching a new water treatment plant, effective electrical installation plays a vital role in successful project delivery. However, with it being critical that projects are completed on time and on budget, it's essential that utilities providers have a good understanding of how to effectively manage electrical installations. Zak Gates from I.C. Electrical Ltd discusses what water companies need to know. Seeking the support of an electrical contractor with experience within the water treatment industry, and with an in-depth knowledge of its particular standards, is crucial. By engaging with industry experts from the earliest possible stage, utilities providers can help to avoid issues with the electrical design of installations, which could cost the project dearly in the long run. Timely delivery is essential in meeting obligation dates and the growing trend towards offsite construction can help to sig- nificantly reduce the time spent at site, sav- ing utilities providers both time and money. Components, equipment and systems are 14 | MARCH 2020 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk A water treatment plant.

• Cover
• Contents
• The Talk
• In Focus
• The Knowledge