Pumping for perfection As the global need for water continues, urban water loss is an increasing challenge for water distribution networks around the world. At Grundfos, efforts to deliver smart and cost-effective solutions to ensure stable and efficient water supplies never stops. Pipes, Pumps and Valves Africa finds out more.
PUMPS
Clean water scarcity is a major issue in today’s world. Considering that the world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion persons in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050, a 22 to 24% increase, the strain on water systems is inevitable. Krzysztof Myslinski, IMEA development manager at Grundfos, a global leader in the supply of pumps and controls, when it comes to water distribution systems it is essential to never compromise on the quality of pumps, always using the most optimal equipment available. Speaking during a recent online conference, Myslinski said as the global need for water continued to increase, improving pumping system performance to prevent water leaks and reduce utility operating costs would increase. Using a general example of a water supply system he said optimal equipment was needed at the water intake site as well as for the transmission and distribution. “Some of the main considerations for a water supply system include that it should be capable of supply water at all the intended places with sufficient pressure heat and it should be capable of supplying the requisite amount of water at all times – even during events such as firefighting.” He said the layout of water supply systems was of critical importance as no consumer should ever be left without
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Pipes, Pumps and Valves Africa - Jul/Aug 2021
water, for example, when any section of the system needed maintenance or repairs. “All the distribution pipes should be preferably laid away or above the sewer lines. Water quality should not get deteriorated in these pipes.” And it should all happen while keeping the energy cost to a minimum and avoiding any or all water loss. Every year, 45 million cubic meters of drinking water are lost daily through water leakage in the distribution networks. This is enough to serve nearly 200 million people. “We have to reduce the yearly non-revenue water (NRW),” says Myslinski. NRW is water that has been produced but is lost before it reaches the customer. Beat the leaks Leaking pipes and equipment are a global problem experienced in the most developed and least developed regions of the world. It remains true that one of the surest ways to reduce water loss and address cost is to use optimal quality pumps and equipment, says Myslinkski. He also advises the water network to be divided into sections as this makes it far easier to cope with problems as they arise than trying to address an entire distribution network in one go. “At the start of the network one has the main pumping station and the treatment works. There are some typical arrangements.
