WCWC Launches New Remote Monitoring System
WCWC launched a new remote monitoring system. Geordie Gauld, Technician, tells us more about how the new system will assist with pilot testing projects to support water system owners, operators and operating authorities.
What exactly is the new remote monitoring system? How does it work?
Essentially, this is a small-scale Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system with cellular connectivity. It operates on many of the same principles as the monitoring and control system at a full-scale water treatment facility. A simple programmable logic controller (PLC) will take in process signals from the pilot plant, including parameters like water pressure, flow, turbidity, pH, etc. Using these inputs, we can observe system statuses, compile datasets, and generate historical trends from right here at WCWC.
How will this benefit pilot testing projects?
It can be challenging to gather complete data from our pilot testing communities. Many are in remote regions and we cannot stay onsite for weeks to manually gather data. Operators are also very busy running their own facilities and don’t have the time to manually sample and collect the data we need and get it into our hands. This system will allow us to collect complete datasets with little to no input from operators. Complete data will lead to a more effective pilot testing process and allow WCWC and the facility owner to make more informed decisions regarding the direction of the pilot testing project, no matter where the owner’s plant is located.
Being able to view the status of the system in real-time will also allow us to confirm things are running as they should be. An undetected failure in the pilot plant can render large sets of data incomplete or inaccurate and delay the overall progress of the pilot testing project.
How is one monitoring system going to be effective for multiple pilot testing projects that may have many different requirements?
By reviewing the configurations of previous pilot testing projects, we were able to compile a list of modular hardware requirements we felt would be most useful. This allowed us to wire and pre-program the unit for common configurations with the ability to use or omit certain features as desired. This approach will allow us a great deal of flexibility working with different treatment strategies and arrangements. In our hardware selection we also allowed for several “spare” inputs which will allow us to expand our capabilities in the future.
For more information about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit www.wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility
WCWC operates a state-of-the-art Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton, Ontario. Geoff Graham, Technician, explains how the Technology Demonstration Facility is used to provide education, information and advice in support of our clients.
1. What is the Technology Demonstration Facility?
The Technology Demonstration Facility is a unique platform for hands-on training and pilot testing projects for the water industry. The idea is to showcase as well as test the wide variety of equipment and processes used throughout Ontario. WCWC provides tours of the Technology Demonstration Facility to share information about the equipment and operational requirements necessary to ensure drinking water is safe.
2. What equipment is there?
The Technology Demonstration Facility features the latest conventional and advanced water treatment and control technologies, laboratory, and model distribution systems. Some of the pilot treatment units available include: dissolved air flotation; ultrafiltration; nanofiltration; reverse osmosis; fixed bed and magnetic ion exchange; slow sand filtration; ozone; ultraviolet light; and advanced oxidation processes. There is also a variety of fire hydrants and other water distribution equipment to allow demonstrations and training of operators in a controlled and safe environment.
3. How is the Technology Demonstration Facility used for pilot testing projects?
A WCWC pilot testing project is a small-scale practical study to evaluate feasibility, duration, or performance of a water treatment strategy and its effect on water quality. This can include bench or pilot-scale projects that may address multiple water quality parameters. These projects can be completed on-site or at the Technology Demonstration Facility. We have the capability to store a large volume of water on site which can then be fed through one or more water treatment processes to evaluate the treatment effectiveness.
For more information about the Technology Demonstration Facility, or to schedule a tour, contact us at 866-515-0550 or inquiry@wcwc.ca.
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Walkerton Clean Water Centre Pilot Testing Success
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with the Township of Tay to address seasonal taste and odour events.
Staff from WCWC and the Township of Tay review the set-up and operation of the on-site pilot plant
The community has been experiencing seasonal taste and odour events, such as geosmin and methyl-isoborneol (MIB) in the raw and treated water. The community’s ultrafilter effluent was used to test an advanced oxidation process (AOP) (high UV dose + hydrogen peroxide) and granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce taste and odour compounds. WCWC confirmed that both AOP and GAC removed the taste and odour compounds to below the odour threshold; however, additional chlorine was needed after the AOP process. The township and engineering consultant will use the results to select the appropriate treatment for their system upgrades.
WCWC conducts pilot tests for clients to enhance their understanding of source water characteristics and the performance of treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Bench or pilot scale projects can be undertaken at a client’s location or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton.
WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, iron and manganese treatment, arsenic, and coagulation. Pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library at www.DrinkingWaterResourceLibrary.ca, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals find information on various topics.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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Pilot Testing Project Helps Address Long-Term Boil Water Advisory
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) recently completed a pilot testing project with Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, helping the community address a long-term boil water advisory that has been in place since 2012.
Wauzhushk Onigum Nation is located on Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario. The lake water has high organics and colour making it a challenging water source for satisfying the requirements of UV disinfection. Before implementing decentralized point-of-entry (POE) systems for a portion of the community, Wauzhushk Onigum Nation worked with WCWC on a pilot testing project. WCWC tested POE technologies for effectiveness in removing turbidity and organics in order to improve UV disinfection. The test results were shared with consultants in the design of the decentralized water systems.
WCWC conducts pilot tests for clients to enhance their understanding of source water characteristics and the performance of treatment processes and alternative treatment options. Bench or pilot scale projects can be undertaken at a client’s location or at the Technology Demonstration Facility in Walkerton.
WCWC has years of pilot testing experience in areas such as natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, iron and manganese treatment, arsenic, and coagulation. Completed pilot testing reports are available on WCWC’s Drinking Water Resource Library, which is a free online portal that assists drinking water professionals in finding information on various topics.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit https://wcwc.ca/services/pilot-testing/ or contact us at 866-515-0550.
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Pilot Testing At WCWC
Are you curious about pilot testing? Devendra Borikar, Technology Demonstration Lead, and Jeff Avedesian, Acting Scientist, answer common questions about WCWC’s pilot testing program:
What is pilot testing?
A WCWC pilot project is a small-scale practical study conducted in order to evaluate feasibility, duration, or performance of a water treatment strategy and its effect on water quality. This can include bench or pilot-scale projects that may address health based, operational, or aesthetic water quality parameters.
What kind of projects have you done in the past?
WCWC has completed pilots that addressed cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria, arsenic, manganese, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, aluminum, dissolved organic carbon, chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, iron, and sulfates using various specific strategies. WCWC can also provide information to owners, operators and other decision-makers in the form of a literature review for the purpose of making educated and informed decisions.
Is the work done in Walkerton or at my site?
The work can be completed either on-site or at the WCWC Technology Demonstration Facility depending on site-specific conditions.
What do you do with the results?
WCWC provides the owner and operating authority with preliminary data throughout the pilot, a detailed report and treatment recommendations. With the permission of the client, WCWC may choose to present the study at conferences and tradeshows, and may include results from the project in future training materials.
To learn more about WCWC’s pilot testing services, please visit wcwc.ca/pilottesting or contact Devendra Borikar at dborikar@wcwc.ca or 1-866-515-0550 ext. 313.
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WCWC Pilot Testing Program
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) provides information and education to Ontario’s owners, operators, operating authorities and First Nations drinking water systems. Through this pilot testing program, relevant information is provided to enhance our clients’ understanding of source water quality and the performance of current treatment and possible alternative options.Under the program WCWC sets up […]
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Pilot Testing Services at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre
xtend WCWC is pleased to announce the continuation and expansion of its pilot testing program as part of the implementation of its strategic plan. This program aims to provide information to the Centre’s clients in order to enhance their understanding of their source water characteristics, the performance of their treatment and those of alternative treatment options. […]
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