Icon invests in disinfection

Icon Water will this year commence a major capital investment into both of Canberra’s water treatment plants, which will see the upgrade of their disinfection systems for the water supply of the ACT and the region.

The project will replace the outdated disinfection equipment at the Mt Stromlo and Googong water treatment plants — most of which was originally installed around 20 years ago — with new chlorine gas disinfection systems. According to Icon Water, it will utilise the most advanced technologies that are available for drinking water supply.

The project will include two multiple 3000B vacuum regulators and drum manifolds, V2030 fully automated chlorinators with SFC controllers and 2″ PVC variable throat injectors. Auxiliary systems include HMI control panels, three-way lifting cranes, HVAC systems, booster pump systems and other equipment essential for the safe operation of the treatment plants.

Evoqua Water Technologies has been engaged as the design and construct contractor to lead the project and is currently working on designing the new systems. The company will replace the complete chlorination system at both sites, from drum storage all the way to the chlorine dosing sparges.

“The project will renew all mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control equipment associated with the dosing of chlorine at both plants,” said Kimberly Lippmeier, acting operations manager at Icon Water.

“The upgrades will importantly provide the opportunity for us to contemporise the systems at both plants to ensure they are safer and easier to operate.

“The new chlorine system will have the added safety benefit of being ‘gas offtake’ instead of the existing ‘liquid offtake’, which effectively decreases the consequences of a chlorine leak and will reduce the potential exposure to chlorine of Icon Water staff and contractors, which is important.”

The estimated project costs are currently being finalised. Construction is expected to start later in 2016, with an estimated completion date of November 2017.

Pictured: Mt Stromlo Water Treatment Plant. Image credit: Marcus Fillinger.