Rationale

Why You Need a Programme from Clearflow Australia

IF YOU HAVE a reticulation system, or a charter to distribute water in bulk via large diameter pipelines, and:

• Experiencing dirty water complaints
• Water discolouration
• Low chemical readings at the pipeline extremities
• Restricted flow or lack of pressure
• Visible contamination in the pipelines
• Manganese or iron deposit buildup
• Valves and hydrants out of regulation or non-operational

… the condition maybe pipeline encrustation or scale on the internal bore, or a buildup of slime and weed growth, even mussel shell, bio-films, manganese leach, and iron contamination resulting in erratic chlorine residuals.

Any one of these problems could eventually develop a health hazard and unpleasant tastes or odours in the drinking water, obviously resulting in continuous consumer complaints.

IF YOU HAVE a raw water line feeding your treatment plant and:

• It has not been cleaned for some time
• Experiencing interrupted or reduced flow

… the pipeline will have multiple growths on the internal bore, a range of weed and possibly hard shell such as mussels.

The growth is not only restricting flow but also delivering a poorer quality water to the treatment plant. If the buildup is allowed to continue it becomes an additional hazard when eventually discharged. It is not uncommon for 10 - 30 tonne on solid waste to be discharged from a typical pipeline of this nature. The longer it is left unchecked and the more growth is allowed to accumulate, the longer the procedures become to successfully remove it.

Many communities experience dirty water, erratic chlorine residuals and unpleasant tastes and odours in their drinking water. Quite often this is the result of poor water pipeline maintenance.

Flushing has been used to correct these problems, but generally this provides inadequate results. It is recommended that communal water systems be cleaned at least every 3 to 5 years, and some cases annually.

IF YOU HAVE valves and hydrants that are inoperable:

• Are valves hard to find or not operational, too deep?
• Are hydrants outside depth guidelines / full of debris?
• Are hydrants easy to find in emergency / blue reflective idenfication markers?
• Are firefighters able to fit their standard equipment?
• Are hydrants producing proper flow and pressure readings?

Any problems associated with the reticulation water system needs regular preventive maintenance. Valves and Hydrants are very much part of that programme and should not be neglected or forgotten. If valves and hydrants are very visible and operational to meet Australian Stantards Guidelines they will not be the cause of any litegation procedures or the unfortunate loss of property or life should an emergency occur.

IF YOUR OBJECTIVE is:

• Restoring flow by the removal of scale from water mains
• Restoring valves and hydrants to identification and operational procedures
• Removal of heavy iron oxide tuberculation from potable water distribuition mains
• Removal of grease and soft solids from sewer mains
• Removal of scale and precipitate buildup from PVC recycle lines

IF YOU ARE being forced into a complete replacement programme due to these ongoing problems:

… consider a Refurbishment or Maintenance Programme with Clearflow Australia.

We can tailor a programme to suit your problem and budget. Our main objective is the removal of manganese, tuberculation and bio-film buildup in water reticulation mains, all vehicles for harbouring bacteria and dirty water complaints.

It is not uncommon to see after cleaning:

• Flow rates doubled (and sometimes tripled)
• Pump cycles increase by 25% or more.

Perhaps most importantly however, is the savings (in time and money) realised by restoring pipelines rather than replacing them. Experience shows that if tuberculation buildups does exist and the pipeline is sound (not leaking) this method should be considered before more costly time consuming measures such as replacement are taken.

On any project it is advisable to consult with an experienced operator.