The pump station operated by Murrumbidgee Council in Jerilderie, NSW, serves the crucial function of drawing raw water from Billabong Creek into a reservoir that supplies the town's water treatment plant.
Two pumps extract water from the creek at a maximum flow rate of 3 ML/d. The original, single 500-micron in-line cartridge filter system was frequently blocked resulting in disrupted flow delivery and debris issues downstream. Although fitted with an automatic backflush system, it was not capable of preventing these issues. De-clogging the filter required it to be manually dismantled, taken off-site and pressure washed. Subsequently, the filter’s screen medium wore out quickly, resulting in substantial replacement costs that deemed the cartridge filter to be no longer viable.
To address the root cause of these issues, a primary intake screen was incorporated into the diversion system at the extraction point.
Installing a fine, self-cleaning cylinder screen at the intake, instantly eradicated the issues associated with debris in the pump and pipeline system, providing a significant return on investment.
The AWMA intake screen solution incorporated an electric drive self-cleaning cylinder screen with a 1mm aperture, capable of delivering a flow rate of 10 ML/d. A custom manifold and retrieval system was also supplied for ease of inspection and maintenance as required. The intake screen that was purchased as a debris screen solution to assist operations also grants Council compliance with the ‘best practice screening guidelines for fish protection’ as introduced by NSW DPI last year.
AWMA offers a range of self-cleaning wedge wire screens for sustainable, fine primary screening that extends the life of downstream infrastructure, protects aquatic animals and delivers a return on investment with low whole of life costs.
