Water and Effluent Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/701016
18 WET NEWS JULY 2016 Severn Trent Water looks out for disc0louration in trunk main scheme. The challenge: Potential turbidity issues INSIGHT Sampling & monitoring S evern Trent Water has embarked on a large scale, forward-thinking trial to monitor for discolouration in a large trunk main, to further protect the overall quality of its drinking water. The trial is the first of its kind for Severn Trent Water, and involves a trunk main from two large cities in the Midlands, which is being pushed to increase capacity to double. During the trial, Severn Trent Water will slowly increase the flow rate through a large trunk main, aiming to eventually double the flow over a period of time. However, this could consequently cause issues with discolouration from branches off the mains. The trunk main was designed to allow much greater flows than at present, but has remained minimal due to the previous demand. Now that the demand is increasing, Severn Trent Water is looking to utilise the main as it was designed. The water company recognised that the only way it could safely double the flow rate of the trunk main was by installing 12 of ATi's NephNets. The NephNet is a battery- powered, portable turbidity monitor available that gives the same measurement performance as the more traditional fixed monitor, with no compromise on measurement. THE CONCEPT • The NephNet is a portable, battery powered monitor • The technology offers continuous remote monitoring of turbidity • It can be used on any existing logging device • NephNet features built-in automatic zero technology that offers better accuracy at lower levels NEED TO KNOW 1 The trunk main was designed to allow much greater flows than at present 2 Discolouration could be caused from branches off the mains 3 The challenge was making sure there was sufficient phone signal THE VERDICT "This trial has proved that Severn Trent Water is committed to understanding its networks, and therefore providing customers with improved drinking water and service" Tristen Preger, ATi UK NephNet can help control the movement of water Severn Trent is using 12 Nephnet monitors