What to do at a wastewater treatment plant when the power goes out?
It is very vital to operate a wastewater treatment plant, or a sewage treatment plant. Your business helps recycle and deliver clean water to people for secondary use, whether you're treating wastewater for a tiny village, or a densely populated city. Your facilities and the everyday effort you put into your wastewater treatment plant, are vital to the community you serve.
Your facility must continue operating effectively, but what happens if there is an unplanned power interruption that prevents your wastewater filtration, and purification system from working?
Keep the community's water supply clean and secure, by knowing what to do in case of a power loss at a wastewater treatment facility. Continue reading to find out how to tackle dangers and a helpful strategy for power outages, in wastewater treatment plants.
What is a wastewater treatment plant?
Filtering and purifying wastewater from various sources, is a crucial task for wastewater treatment plants. Numerous contaminants, such as oils, soaps, food scraps, human waste, and substances ingested by humans, can be found in wastewater. Through sinks, toilets, baths, washing machines, and dishwashers, these pollutants are disposed of. The same materials are disposed of through the waste routes of larger enterprises. Storm runoff water may also be included in the definition of wastewater.
Before it can be recycled or released back into the environment, the majority of the water used by businesses and residences must first be treated. Small levels of pollutants are acceptable in our environment, but the daily amounts produced by humans are too great for the environment to handle.
In order for people and ecosystems around the nation to continue using safe and clean water, wastewater treatment plants are crucial.
What happens to the components of the local wastewater treatment system, during a power outage?
In a wastewater treatment plant, losing energy due to a power outage is the most frequent disturbance. If a wastewater treatment facility loses power, the filtration or purification systems will stop working, unless a backup generator or other energy source is available.If your facility loses electricity, the wastewater will keep accumulating until you can operate the wastewater treatment system again.
Some components of your water filtration and purification system might function, even if the power is turned off, such as:
· Sediment filters.
· Tanks for flow equalizers.
· Spreading drips below the surface.
· Units for aerobic treatment.
· Distribution of low pressure.
· Filtering media that circulates.
These components will be able to continue processing, thanks to the expected reserve capacity in your treatment systems. While the power is out, and your crew is working hard to maintain the plant until the energy returns, this function can help you stay productive. However, bear in mind that some parts, like your diffusers, could get damaged if the power is turned off.
How to avoid damages in WWTPs while power is gone?
Sludge might accumulate in the pipework when the airflow stops, as a result of a power loss. As these clogs develop, they may pass through the system diffusers' rubber membranes, stretching and finally breaking them. The plasticizer in the rubber is kept in-tact by the use of PTFE membranes, allowing the rubber to regain its initial strength and prevent breaking. Stretched rubber produces insufficient sealing in non-PTFE membranes, which can lead to clog formation.
Investing in system parts like PTFE membranes that can resist emergencies, and reduce the likelihood of system damage is a wise decision.For instance, PTFE membranes from Netsol Water Solutions contain built-in check valves, which will shut the membrane to prevent sludge formation, if the airflow stops during a power outage. We can create systems with detachable end caps as well.
What are you supposed to do when the power is out?
Power interruptions are a major worry for many wastewater or sewage treatment plants. Although losing power is beyond your control, being prepared and coming up with a strategy can help you succeed. It is possible to keep your plant operational and provide clean water to the communities you serve, by developing a plan before significant power disruptions.By creating a successful strategy, you may lessen the dangers and risks associated with a WWTP or STP power loss.
You could implement the following procedures in your plan:
· Make a communication strategy
Notifying the public of the water quality due to the power outage, is one of the most crucial responsibilities your wastewater facility must do. By releasing remarks via news sources, social media, emails, and text messages, you and your clients may enlighten the public. Notice to boil the water is an example of these communications.
· Prepare the necessary tools
Working on equipment during a power outage requires a thorough understanding of your equipment, as well as assurance that your customers are aware of their machines. When the electricity is restored, keeping machinery in working order requires knowing what kinds of equipment can be connected to backup generators, and how to safeguard the machinery from water or other threats.
· Look into alternative energy sources
Purchasing renewable energy sources for your facility is a crucial activity to accomplish, before a power loss happens. Renewable energy sources can assist the water treatment system to function, even in the event of an electrical blackout at a wastewater treatment facility.
Ensure that your personnel have received the necessary training. In order to successfully operate through a power outage at a wastewater treatment facility, personnel and employees must be properly trained. Regularly follow the procedures.
What should you do when the power is restored?
1: Verify that all equipment is operational and operates as intended, once power has been restored.
2: Until you are certain that your wastewater treatment system is operating properly, let it run.
3: To make sure that reconnecting electrical components to power sources is secure, it is a good idea to contact an electrician. The technician can also check the electrical systems of the building, to make sure no additional risks are there.
4: A bad storm or other factors that contributed to the power loss should be addressed, if they have created any safety issues in your facility.
Hazards of plant power outage
Storms frequently result in power outages, and the hazardous weather they bring can present a variety of risks, to a wastewater treatment facility.
Flooding is one important issue to take into account. During a power outage, flooding at your facility can be dangerous for your employees and equipment. If a flood occurs, wait until the power is back on, before using any appliances. Until a service provider can check the location, to determine whether it is safe to restart electricity in the facility, keep the electrical systems off.
Look for evidence of water damage in your facility's equipment and other areas. Before working on machinery, drain the building of any floodwater.
Learn more about Netsol Water Solutions power outage protection for your wastewater treatment plant
To resume operations after a power interruption, your wastewater treatment facility must be protected. Communities depend on this purified water; therefore, your treatment plant must undergo a thorough plan for resolving power outages, on a top priority.
Contact Netsol if you want to improve your facility's preparation, and find out more about how to develop a successful power outage procedure. The operations of your wastewater treatment facility can be made better with Netsol’s high-quality wastewater treatment products, and services.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.
