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Ladestown, Lough Ennell

Ladestown, Lough Ennell. Response to the Extreme Weather Event November 2010 – January 2011 The Westmeath Experience. Presentation to DWIRP Seminar Greg Duggan SE Westmeath Co. Co. Water Services 9 th March 2011. Westmeath Water Distribution Network. Approx 1,250 km of water mains

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Ladestown, Lough Ennell

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  1. Ladestown, Lough Ennell Response to the Extreme Weather Event November 2010 – January 2011 The Westmeath Experience Presentation to DWIRP Seminar Greg Duggan SE Westmeath Co. Co. Water Services 9th March 2011

  2. Westmeath Water Distribution Network • Approx 1,250 km of water mains • over 100 years old in parts • various materials & diameters • Approximately 8,000 hydrants, valves, other fittings • 34,000 connections

  3. Westmeath Climate Conditions Initial period of low temperatures:– 22nd Nov. 2010, for 33 consecutive days, ending 25th Dec. 2010Temperature ranged from 0 ºC to –15 ºC50mm to 100mm snow fell on morning of 30th Nov. 2010 Summary of Westmeath Climate Conditions

  4. Preventive Measures – Leaflet Drop40,000 delivered by An Post (– early Nov 2010)

  5. Preventative Measures – Radio Adverts Adverts played 3 slots daily – 2 versions of adverts – long & short Long Version Short Version Click to Play

  6. Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems • Consumption in Westmeath on 22nd Nov. 2010 was 34,000m3/day • At low raw water temperatures the effectiveness of chemicals and (mechanical) filters used in treating water are significantly reduced • Leads to longer reservoir recharge times to replace increased consumption on the network

  7. Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems Raw Water Temperatures • Raw water temperatures fell from 6.3 ºC to 0.7 ºC over the period Period of Freezing Period of Thaw

  8. Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems Increasing Consumption Levels • Lowest temperatures experienced between 18th – 25th Dec. 2010 • Daily consumption levels increased due to some leakage but mostly wastage by “running taps” • Consumption, which peaked at 42,856m3/day on 22nd Dec. 2010, represented an increase of over 26% on normal consumption levels and was unsustainable • There were 10 bursts to large watermains (some inside vacant industrial units) during this initial low temperature phase and 16 bursts to smaller service mains • This had the knock-on effect of reducing reservoir storage capacity on the distribution network every day for over 18 days

  9. Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems Where did the water go? • Normal wastewater inflow to Mullingar Wastewater Treatment Plant is 9,000m3/day • During severe weather period, inflow ranged from 10,000m3/day – 12,500m3/day and peaked at 14,100m3/day • No rainfall, therefore this inflow can be attributed to consumers “running taps”

  10. Treated Water Production Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems • The production capacity at the four water treatment plants rose from a normal 34,000m3/day to a peak of 42,856 m3/day. • This represents an increase in production of 26% to meet demand levels • In order to meet this increased demand, production was augmented in Mullingar with the use of a UV treatment facility, operated within protocols previously agreed with the EPA and HSE • The remaining Plants had sufficient spare treatment capacity

  11. Effect of Temperature drop on supply systems Initial Response • This level of production was unsustainable • Distribution networks failed to deliver water to outlying storage reservoirs • Water supply shut downs were initiated to control both leakage levels and recharge/recovery levels in reservoirs • Night time shutdowns were carried out in various areas from 27th Dec. 2010 until 7th Jan. 2011 • Contrast with Dec 2009/Jan 2010 event, when night time shutdowns continued to March

  12. Effect of Temperature RISE on supply systems • Thaw occurred on 26th/27th Dec. 2010 with a temperature rise of 20ºC (–15ºC to +5ºC) over a period of 36 hours • Sudden temperature differential prompted ground heave and led to major bursts on distribution mains • 18 large diameter (>100mm) mains bursts • 354 smaller service pipe leaks • 2,654 meter chambers/control units also leaked at the spacer bar insert

  13. Mains Bursts (>100mm Diameter Pipes) Mains Bursts (< 100mm Diameter pipes) Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Repairs

  14. Service Pipe Bursts Control Unit Bursts Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Repairs

  15. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Westmeath County Council Response • Incident room manned from 15th Dec. 2010 to 7th Jan. 2011 • except 25th & 26th Dec. 2010 • 5 water tankers & 19 Water “Aqua Cubes” deployed • 1m3 & 2m3 • Over 50 standpipes were deployed in the County • In a number of towns, Westmeath County Council sought the co-operation of local Residents Associations in the operation of standpipes and this model proved effective

  16. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Westmeath County Council Response (cont.) • 119 staff were involved in managing water supplies at the peak of the response • These included: • Water Services Caretaking Staff, General Outdoor Staff, Water Conservation Staff, Supervisors, Technical, Engineering and Administrative Support • 8,822 hours worked from the 26th Dec. 2010 to 7th Jan. 2011 • Council Staff responded to and repaired: • 44 leaks to the public water mains • 2,654 leaks at individual Control Units • 365 leaks at service pipe connections

  17. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Westmeath County Council Response (cont.) • The Council deployed the Civil Defence to deliver water to vulnerable members of the community • At the height of the crisis, Civil Defence Staff delivered water to between 25 & 50 households every day • Westmeath Local Authorities dealt with 10,600 telephone calls during this period

  18. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Welfare Facilities “Aqua Cube” Stock Available New 2m3 and 1m3 portable emergency supply tanks Dispensing taps on bottom of units

  19. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Welfare Facilities Stock of stand pipes deployed in Areas Athlone: 14 Coole: 6 Kilbeggan: 17 Mullingar: 20 Standpipes were given to local Residents Associations to operate at agreed times – this arrangement worked well

  20. Effect of Temperature rise on supply systems Welfare Facilities Water services procured over 1,000 reusable water bags, which were distributed to all areas affected

  21. Water Conservation – Fighting Back! • Earlier investment in Water Conservation efforts proved invaluable • 82 District Metering Areas (DMAs) established and calibrated • Dedicated trained staff in leak detection • Data gathered at DMA bulk meters every 15 minutes and transferred nightly to LMARS system • Data processed by “Primeworks” software • Used to identify and quantify water loss • Produces “league table” of worst performing DMAs • Web-based SCADA system

  22. Typical SCADA Screen Layout

  23. DWIRP Map – Mullingar Town Independent Valve Closures to Extend Storage

  24. Water Conservation – Applying Resources and Materials

  25. UFW increases per Water Supply Scheme(consumption m3 per day)

  26. An Improved Response Applying lessons learned in 2009/2010 to the 2010/2011 incident

  27. Advance Media & Communications • In advance of Winter period (early Nov.) Information Leaflet circulated to all property owners on necessary steps for protection of their water supply • Daily Press Release (local radio & newspapers) • Commenced 4th December 2010 • 6no. radio interviews • 10no. interviews with local press • Adverts re: frozen & burst pipes placed on local radio • 3 slots per day • Council website • Situation report updated daily from the 4th December 2010 • Detailed advice

  28. Incident Management • Incident Room established 15th Dec 2010 • Quicker set-up than in Dec 2009 • Twice daily crisis management meetings • Better familiarity with roles than previous incident • 9am & 4pm • Reservoir levels, leak detection/repairs, welfare measures • Communications, website / press releases

  29. Incident Log Sheet Incident log sheet used during severe weather Dec 2009 and now included in the DWIRP

  30. Phone Communications • Complaints viewed as valuable information • 4no. out-of-hours emergency phone numbers available, including the 25th & 26th Dec • Main switch on 7 day basis from 20th Dec. to 7th Jan. (excluding 25th & 26th Dec.) • Initially 4 staff; increased to 8 staff on phones • Giving advice, recording problems, leaks etc • Information gathered was collated and transferred to Area Offices to target actions and maximize resources

  31. Telephone Statistics

  32. Advance Operational Preparations • Increased treatment capacity at Mullingar Plant • Prevented prolonged period of shut-downs that stress pipe work • Purchase of dedicated 18m3 water tanker • Purchase of “Aqua Cubes” and standpipes/fittings • Adapted SCADA alarms to high-flow triggers • SCADA modified to indicate reservoir residence times • hours remaining, rather than just water level

  33. Civil Defence • Mobilised 20th Dec (Sat) – 7th Jan • 3 crews in 4 wheel drive vehicles • Worked with WCC water tankers • 25 to 50 calls daily to vulnerable, elderly, disabled households

  34. Issues identified in Emergency Cover • Emergency on-call system to be reviewed where large volume of calls are anticipated • Pressure on staff if crisis prolonged • Greater use of Residents Associations • Number of leaks at domestic control units • Water Treatment Plant capacity

  35. Further Actions • Continue to pursue planning enforcement re: control boxes / service pipe depths • Advance Mains Rehabilitation Schemes in Mullingar & Athlone • Source more flexible/resilient spacer bar for meter boxes • Establish panel of plumbers with appropriate equipment to free frozen services • Continue pro-active Water Conservation • Continue to enhance treatment plant capacity & reservoir storage • Review planning condition for water connections to public mains

  36. Improvements to DWIRP • Develop specific incident management procedures and actions to the event (weather, contamination,…) • “Complaints” to be viewed as valuable source of information • Information gathered in emergency used to refine DWIRP response (constant improvement) • Incident Room to have maps of sufficient detail to show areas affected by shut-downs, bursts etc • “Live” mapping, GIS based – click on property to view in wider area • Repair data captured electronically and transmitted to Areas for action

  37. END

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