Milwaukee, WI – engineers from United Water analyzed the system costs in refining their process and are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in solids handling.

Over the course of my experience in assisting owners and other designers toward efficient water and wastewater plant operations, I have noted one subtle and highly minimized factor….and, this is the lack of consideration of the “system” vs. the individual component.

A few examples might help, here:

1. One of the most troublesome devices – based on cost of equipment vs. problems occurring – is the common flow meter…anyone who has tried to have 3 flow meters on 3 lines add up to the combined total in the fourth meter knows exactly what I mean, here. Yet, we continue to design such systems in some hope that we will avoid the history of such systems.

2. Utilities install new side solids thickening devices and find that all sorts of new plant loads occur. Everything from the buildup of fines from centrifuges to the tremendous water demand placed on the plant due to wash water side stream needs….all part of the system needs but not so obvious at time of purchase.

3. Pumping equipment is often selected on the basis of published pump efficiencies…where, in fact, the total efficiency of a pump is the multiplied result of the efficiency of all moving items in the chain. This might be 30% or more poorer.

The point is…..believing that a simple change in the process of water and wastewater systems can be accomplished without a series of (multiple) subsequent implications is a perilous presumption. Beware the obvious solution. It is generally “not” (obvious) and is almost always going to have subsequent “collateral” affects. Or, look carefully, before you leap

Don

Russian space shuttle ‘Buran’ bears an uncanny resemblance to the U.S. space shuttle design, and illustrates the “space race” issues which drove engineers to explore and develop like never before.

Since the early years of my engineering education were filled with an air of “space war competition”, we “mid 60’s” engineers can remember heady days…days when engineering was the focus of huge efforts – both within and exterior to NASA walls. Back then, we had an emotionally common goal – to “beat the Russians” in the race to the moon. I can still feel the tingle of the challenge and I still recall the near patriotism of “doing well” in engineering analysis of the many impediments to success. Sputnik was “out there” “beeping” at us. And, we took up the challenge.

Today, we are faced with equally daunting challenges. We are being held hostage by those who “own” the oil fields and the related speculators who are the direct beneficiaries of their financial machinations. And, even if the cost were not creating the market chaos, we know – intrinsically – that our carbon footprints are affecting all manner of earthly life and future happiness.

Technically elegant and financially responsible solutions to water/wastewater infrastructure needs require that we challenge the “status quo” in our approaches to the solutions we desire. From design efficiencies to construction effectiveness to operational efficiencies….we need to team for the solution. Our industry (water and wastewater) has had a long history of clouded approaches in single file marches to end products and procedures which are – at the very least – inefficient. Europeans have been suffering from the many symptoms we now have (have you seen the BMW commercial where they speak about gas prices in Europe as having been 6 to 10 dollars a gallon for a decade?).Many Europeans have seen the handwriting on the wall and have been focused on efficient solutions and effective methods of construction for decades. We need to embrace and team with their many innovations and move forward with our own. In many ways, we can see the parallel to the German rocket development and our subsequent Saturn Moon rockets. We have the basis for many innovations in our grasp and – with the help of world compatriots, we can meet the world’s needs for the next generation…a generation of eco friendly energy with the implementation of “green” designs from construction to operational excellence.

Be challenged. And, challenge the “old ways”….. it’s the patriotic thing to do.

Don