Cone Screens for QLD Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project
This Fish-Friendly Water Extraction Project has installed a dozen AWMA Modern Fish Screens at working pump sites across Southern Queensland.
The Queensland Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project is focused on trialling and demonstrating fish screen technology in local river systems to inform future decision‑making, raise awareness of fish-friendly infrastructure and highlight potential benefits for both water users and native fish populations. Funded by the Australian Government, installations involve collaboration with landholders and pump specialists to ensure the screening systems accommodate the specific operating conditions of each site. The Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the Queensland Government in partnership with Southern Queensland Landscapes.
AWMA’s Contribution to the Project
As part of the Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project, AWMA collaborated with stakeholders to design, manufacture and commission numerous custom-engineered modern fish screening solutions suitable for site-specific operation in river environments.
The intent of AWMA’s involvement was to support the project objective of trialling and demonstrating fish screen technology in local river systems, helping raise awareness of the technology and its potential benefits for both water users and native fish. In line with the project scope, the outcomes focus on system performance and operational insights.
Screening Solution Design
The screening systems supplied for this project were custom designed and manufactured by AWMA to suit site-specific constraints, flow requirements and operational preferences identified through consultation with landholders and pump specialists.
One of the notable sites featured within this program involved a screening system designed to operate across all conditions, from shallow water through to flood events, supporting reliable water delivery, efficient debris management and reduced interaction between pumps and entrained material.
- Two self-cleaning, fish-friendly Cone Screens
- Design flow rate: 100 ML/day per screen
- Screens operated from a single Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU)
- Designed to operate continuously in river conditions with variable debris loads.
Hydraulic Power and Control System
This installation incorporated a fully integrated Hydraulic Power Unit and control system, engineered and assembled by AWMA to support reliability, automation and future adaptability.
Key Features
- Hydraulic Power Unit located within a dedicated control cabinet
- Hydraulic motors driving screen rotation and cleaning functions
- Solar powered operation for remote installations
- Battery backup providing up to 5 days of service in the event of a power outage
- Integrated PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) for seamless system logic control
- Touchscreen HMI (Human Machine Interface) for user-friendly configuration and monitoring
- Local pushbuttons enabling manual control of all fish screens
- Automatic ‘set and forget’ operating modes alongside manual control options
- Embedded sensors within motors providing real-time performance feedback
- Online monitoring capability delivering live system data across all screen sites
- Capability to integrate with client systems
- Provision for future physical and remote updates
This control architecture allows for proactive diagnostics, supports efficient operation and helps ensure the screens are functioning as intended under varying site conditions.
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Quality Assurance
To support a smooth installation process and robust long-term performance, AWMA undertook a comprehensive Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) program prior to delivery.
Scope of the Factory Acceptance Testing Included:
- Verification of brush compatibility and self-cleaning mechanisms
- Full system setup replicating on-site configuration
- Configuration of over-pressure limits and operational limits for the HPU
- Functional testing of screen operation, sensors, hydraulic oil pump and motors
- Review of motor efficiencies, build quality and design tolerances
- Validation of design intent against project specifications
In-house testing resulted in outcomes that exceeded client expectations while maintaining specification compliance.
Site Performance Feedback
Feedback from this site indicates positive operational performance of the screen and intake arrangement.
- The landholder has reported being very happy with how the screen is operating
- The upgraded intake pipe (larger size) combined with the modern fish screen has resulted in more efficient pump performance
- Reduced impacts from debris have also been observed
Additional monitoring indicates the screen is functioning as intended.
