The UK Environment Agency has commissioned ECS Engineering Services to upgrade the pumping stations that form the Great Ouse Groundwater Scheme (GOGS). The stations are vital for pumping water to local river catchments and to Essex during dry summers.
The GOGS features 26 boreholes used to pump water up from the water table. As part of the scheme, the Environment Agency operates 15 groundwater pumps, many of which date from the inception of the scheme in the 1970s.
These installations are important as the Great Ouse is known for overflowing in winter and drying out in summer. The GOGS is connected to Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme (EOETS), which ensures that Essex has access to additional water resources even during the driest summers.
To improve the efficiency and safeguard the operation of the GOGS, the Environment Agency has approached ECS Engineering Services to overhaul multiple pumping stations. Having previously completed refurbishments at Devil’s Dyke, ECS is now undertaking projects in the Thetford Forest area.
ECS Contracts Manager, Mark Kirby said: “This is a key investment to ensure the future operation and improve efficiency at the GOGS. Requirements vary across the sites, and we have carried out inspections at each one to discern equipment that requires replacement.
“As part of the project, we will replace or upgrade the motor control centres (MCC) at the pumping stations as required. New MCCs will be enclosed in kiosks, with each panel featuring a PLC, touch screen interface, flowmeter, temperature and vibration monitoring units as well as other auxiliary equipment for monitoring and control of the pump. Upgraded MCCs will feature increased resilience to power failure thanks to an automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a generator plug in point. Furthermore, new lockable glass reinforced polymer (GRP) kiosks will be added as needed.
“Furthermore, we are replacing borehole pumps and flowmeters for the network water supply pipelines. We will also be working on the water level instrumentation and carrying out valve and pipework replacements at the sites where required. To improve overall carbon footprint, variable frequency drives (VFDs) will be fitted as well as potentially, Flexible Wellmaster Carrier Drains, which greatly improve maintenance efficiency.”
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