Among the organisations that require our assistance are water authorities, who frequently seek unprecedented water infrastructure solutions. In one instance, a fixed bar screen on an open channel was prone to debris blockages, causing flooding across a busy Victorian highway.
Our partnership approach allowed us to fully understand the issue, consider the options and develop a sustainable solution, specific to site requirements. Pine needles were found to be caught in the channel, matting together and choking the downstream water intake.
The solution was a mechanical trash screening and removal system, designed to accommodate expected debris loads.
The custom trash rack was engineered to replicate the trapezoidal profile of the water channel. It was designed to raise large, heavy debris out of the channel, including logs, abundant seasonal aquatic plants and animal carcasses.
A manual winch and pulley system is used to retract and extend the debris screen in and out of the waterway, eliminating manual handling risks over and alongside the channel. A track system allows operators to manually glide the screen horizontally away from the channel to clear the screen.
In their feedback, asset managers mentioned the ease of operation, even under load. This AWMA solution is amongst the many designed to reduce manual handling and accessibility risks in the industry.
