In 2022, Water Treatment Engineers NZ Limited helped Watercare commission the Hibiscus Coast Boost Pump Station. Working as commissioning lead alongside commissioning engineer Bryan Wilson, Operations, the Project team and Contractors, we managed to flush 14 km of an existing gravity pipeline without causing water quality issues in the network while also hot commissioning a new 17 MLD water booster pump station. All in one night.
It was a monumental effort requiring input from many people throughout the team and required a serious amount of co-ordination on the night. The keys to successfully carrying out such a high-risk activity was a thorough risk assessment process, a very strong buy-in from the operations and projects teams as well as good quality network modelling to inform the risk assessment process.
Project Background
Watercare identified the need to increase the flowrate and boost the pressure of water entering the Whangaparoa Peninsula region of Auckland via two watermains. To address this challenge, Watercare completed the construction of the Hibiscus Coast Booster Pump Station, designed to supply an additional 17 MLD (million liters per day) to the region.
Project Objectives
The primary objectives of the project were to:
- Improve the reliability and security of the water supply to the Whangaparoa Peninsula.
- Increase the flowrate and pressure of water entering the region via two watermains.
- Ensure the seamless integration of the new pump station with the existing water infrastructure.
- Mitigate potential risks associated with increased velocity in the watermains during commissioning and operation.
Role of Water Treatment Engineers NZ
Ben, a key member of Water Treatment Engineers NZ, played a critical role in the project as Commissioning Lead, working alongside the internal Watercare Commissioning Team. His responsibilities included:
- Collaborating with the Watercare Commissioning Team to develop and execute a detailed site acceptance testing plan for the pump station.
- Identifying and assessing potential risks associated with the increased velocity in the watermains and developing appropriate mitigation measures.
- Ensuring seamless integration of the new pump station with the existing water infrastructure to minimize disruptions for the residents of the Whangaparoa Peninsula.
- Providing technical expertise and support during the testing and start-up phases to confirm the performance of the pump station and its compatibility with the existing water system.
Project Outcomes and Successes
Thanks to the close collaboration between Ben, the Watercare Commissioning Team, and other project stakeholders, the Hibiscus Coast Booster Pump Station was successfully commissioned and integrated into the existing water infrastructure. Key project outcomes included:
- A significant increase in the flowrate and pressure of water entering the Whangaparoa Peninsula, improving the reliability and security of the water supply.
- Successful flushing of 14 km of live pipe-line without generating any public water quality complaints by following a risk management approach.
- Pressure transient issues that arose in the network after the upgrade were successfully addressed by WTENZ through collaboration with internal Watercare teams to find innovative and robust solutions.
- Effective collaboration with various internal Watercare teams and external parties, ensuring smooth commissioning without any impact on customers within the network.
Conclusion
The Hibiscus Coast Booster Pump Station project showcases Water Treatment Engineers’ ability to collaborate effectively with clients and stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes in water infrastructure projects. Benjamin’s expertise as a Commissioning Engineer ensured the successful commissioning and integration of the pump station to improve the water supply in the Whangaparoa Peninsula.
