Pump controls 'green' water supply

An innovative rainwater supply system is in the final stage of installation at the newly completed Palerang Council Chamber building at Bungendore in New South Wales.

With a project value of $3 million, the new building complex has a roof area of 1500 m2 that will collect rainwater to be stored in four Rocla ecoRain underground water storage tanks with a total capacity of 40,000L.

Davey Water Products has supplied a RainBank Monsoon variable speed packaged pump set comprising two VM 16-6 series vertical inline stainless steel multistage pumps complete with the pump control system, all pipework and the complete system mounted on a stainless steel base.

Each pump is powered by a 5.5 kW, 415 V IP55 rated electric motor.

The pump system has been designed by Davey with constant pressure control by employing variable speed drives, with each pump controlled via pressure setpoint with friction loss compensation and a range of additional control features.

Davey has also supplied a CX2 Steriflo ultraviolet disinfection system and filters as the stored rainwater will provide the first option for the new building's domestic water supply including toilet flushing, garden irrigation and washdown bay for equipment cleaning.

A Davey RainBank Monsoon 6 V unit will automatically enable the conserved rainwater to be supplemented in time of inadequate rainfall by a bore water supply which will then become the primary supply source.

As a packaged pump set, Davey Water Products was able to test run the complete water supply system in its test bay facility at its Scoresby, Victoria headquarters.

According to project architect Kirsty Westaway of the Canberra practice of Colin Stewart Architects, the rainwater storage water supply will enable Palerang Council to demonstrate sustainable use of resources by conserving the natural supply rather than drawing on a limited mains water resource.