이스트세인트루이스(East St. Louis), 그래닛시티(Granite City), 벨빌(Belleville) 그 외의 주변 지역을 담당하는 일리노이 아메리칸 워터(Illinois American Water, IAW)의 광역 지부가 동부 세인트 루이스 수처리 공장에 약 12만 달러를 투자할 계획이라고 밝혔다. IAW는 프로젝트에 참여하기 위해 여러 방면의 노력을 하고 있는 그래닛시티의 Sachs Electric사와도 계약을 맺었다.

올해 초 시작되어 2016년까지 지속될 이 투자는 안정성과 운영 효율성을 향상시킬 것으로 전망된다. 1925년에 설치된 약 9마일쯤 되는 취수장에 손상된 파이프 부분을 새 파이프로 대체할 필요성이 제기되었다. 새로운 제어 밸브 및 제어 볼트는 안정성을 확보 및 유지 보수 접근을 개선하기 위해 설치되었다.

Illinois American Water's (IAW) Interurban District, which serves the communities of East St. Louis, Granite City, Belleville, and surrounding areas, has announced an approximately $12-million investment at the East St. Louis Water Treatment Plant. IAW has contracted Sachs Electric out of Granite City, who has committed to diverse participation on this project.

The investment, which kicked off earlier this year and will continue into 2016, will enhance reliability and operational efficiencies. The intake water main, which totals about nine miles and was originally installed in 1925, underwent needed improvements to replace damaged pipe segments. Also, new control valves and a control vault were installed to ensure reliability and enhance maintenance access.

This summer, additional work will begin to update the water treatment plant's electrical service and water pre-treatment equipment. According to Grant Evitts, senior manager of Production and Field Services for IAW's Southern Division, current electrical and water treatment equipment are reaching the end of their lifespan.

The project includes a new 2.25-megawatt generator and power distribution switchgear. Further, critical electrical and SCADA monitoring systems will be upgraded for the new equipment. Overhead electrical lines distributing power to remote parts of the plant will also be replaced with underground lines. In addition, design of a new system to improve overall treatment efficiency is currently underway for a 2016 construction.

According to Evitts, the new system will save on maintenance and reduce chemical usage at the plant. "When the project is completed, our operational efficiencies will not only be improved, but so will our environmental footprint," he said.

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 7월 29일]