Their Challenge
In 2003, when Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWWU) faced an efficiency application issue, the utility’s engineering consultant contacted a Singer Valve representative. “We operate more than 55 pressure zones,” says Richard Steckel, AWWU’s general foreman. “These pressure zones are fed from multiple sources and require adjustments from a central location to balance the varying demands placed on our water distribution
system.” Due to Alaska’s climate, some fluctuations occur overnight. For example, water demands on a warm summer day may demand 60 million gallons compared to 25 million gallons on a cooler day.
Our Solution
Singer 420-DC Automated Pilots were installed to give operators the ability to remotely control and make pressure changes from multiple locations through the utility’s SCADA system.
The Result
“The Singer Automated Pilots replaced our existing mechanical pilots,” says Steckel. “The replacement pilots give us the remote capabilities we needed to balance our distribution system and to identify any problems with pressure regulating valves.” The pilots also allowed the utility’s team to force pumps on and off by changing the hydraulic parameters within pressure zones and to control which sources it used to meet customers’ water needs. The ability to make changes remotely through SCADA reduced the number of routine trips employees make to booster stations and pressure regulating vaults.
