Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment have successfully designed, installed and commissioned a specialised Ultraviolet filtration system for the Queensland Health Mackay Renal Unit.

Project Requirements: The original system operated by pumping town water to individual filtering stations where the water would pass through a 5 micron, 1 micron and carbon filter on its way to the dialysis machine (which has an internal reverse osmosis filter).

The issue Dowdens faced was the original system filters were only lasting between 5 - 15 hours, and by this stage they were black and needed to be replaced!

After reviewing detailed water test results, Dowdens designed a compact, reliable system where the existing pump was upgraded, a water softening unit was added to remove iron, calcium and manganese. Large cartridge filters were also installed to pre-filter the water before it entered a dedicated UV steriliser.

Using the above system the Mackay Renal Unit now only needs to replace the systems filters every 7 to 10 days - saving thousands of dollars in ongoing system maintenance costs!

Key Plant Features:

• Due to limited space the system design had to be compact and robust
• Complex pipework was needed to reticulate above and around existing equipment
• All water treatment system components needed the ability to be isolated to enable easy service and system part replacements
• PURION water softening unit to remove iron, calcium and manganese
• All plumbing and pipe fixtures installed by Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment
• Grundfos pump supplied on request from Queensland Health

Aurizon Holdings Limited have engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment [Mackay & Brisbane Branches] to deliver a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at their Coppabella Township, located on the Goonyella Rail Corridor (the world's largest metallurgical coal rail system) - 159 kilometres South West of Mackay, QLD.

The township of Coppabella was primarily designed and built to service the junction of two railway lines (one from Goonyella Coal Mine and one from Saraji Coal Mine) and to provide accommodation to the regions coal mine workers in work depots. The town was established in three stages, with the first being completed in 1971, the second in 1977 and the third and final stage in 1984. The town is wholly owned and operated by Aurizon Holdings Limited and contains: stations, residences, single-quarters, work depots, hotel, a shop, swimming pool, football oval, caravan park, school, ambulance, fire brigade and of course the new Dowdens Water Treatment Plant which is capable of producing of up to 900kL of potable water per day.

Dowdens engineers and service crews designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned the Coppabella WTP to treat raw water to Australian Drinking Water Standards. As the Principal Contractor Dowdens were provided a set of feed supply water parameters coming into the WTP, and water quality requirements for the delivery of the town's drinking water. From these basics the $2.5 million project came to fruition. The Dowdens WTP replaced the existing water softening plant (located adjacent to the new WTP), whilst future-proofing the growth of the Coppabella township by increasing the WTP's maximum daily drinking water production capacity up to 900 kL/day.

The new WTP is completely automated and user adjustable via the GE Human Machine Interface (HMI) situated in the purpose built site Control Room / Office, minimising the need for direct operator interaction / intervention on-site. A dedicated remote monitoring / alert messaging system was also provided so that in the event of a critical alarm the EDAC 700 RTU will call the WTP Operators advising them of system alarm status via pre-recorded spoken messages.

Security of the WTP site was significantly improved with the establishment of a controlled compound restricting access to authorised personnel only (pictured below). Dowdens also eliminated the need for repetitive manual handling of typical WTP chemical consumables on-site (Salt, Liquid Chlorine and Soda Ash) via the integration of various bulk storage systems.

Dowdens were successful in the tendering process due to:

• The proximity of Dowdens head office [Mackay] and ongoing presence in the region
• Dowdens vast in-house engineering capabilities and proven competencies
• High level of detail provided in the preliminary engineering proposal
• Proposed Water Treatment Plants cost effectiveness

Dowdens coordinated the design, build and commissioning of the WTP from project inception through to final handover. This included, but was not limited to: preliminary design - detailed design - risk assessments (with client and consulting engineers) - preliminary civil works establishing the site (levelling site) - under boring Peak Downs Hwy for installation of raw water pipeline - installation of all underground services - pouring of slabs - construction of the Ion Exchange (IX) building - installation of process equipment - installation of all interconnecting pipework - electrical installation of control panel and field instrumentation / equipment - commissioning of instruments / equipment - commissioning of PLC program and HMI - successful completion of 'Proof of Performance' testing and all necessary operator training.

The inclusion of a unique Brine generation system was a novel approach that incorporated a salt bulk bag unloader (capable of lifting 1200kg bags - pictured below) and a proprietary piece of equipment from the USA [BRINE ExtremePro]. The IX system is flexible in its design and is capable of producing between 150 - 900 kL/day of potable water with the IX system constantly analysing and compensating for variations of incoming bore water hardness levels.

The existing water softening plant (located adjacent to the new WTP) and raw water supply needed to be retained during the new WTP construction. The old plant was decommissioned over a period of 3 months. Nearing project completion a wet weather event (February 2016) resulted in additional water flows through the WTP site causing some minor displacement / erosion of soil and stone that required a brief plant shutdown to rectify the damage. Dowdens performed this work efficiently and effectively eliminating any risk to the township's drinking water supply.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment design philosophy for this project was: Cost Effectiveness - Current Best Practice - Ease of Installation - Simple & Effective Plant Operation - Plant Reliability & Reduced Ongoing Maintenance.

Water Treatment Plants Key Components are listed below:

• Control Panel c/w HMI and Remote Monitoring / Automated Alert Messaging System
• Ion Exchange Process used for Bore Water Softening
• Raw and Treated Water Analyser Sampling Systems
• 2 Off Panel Storage Tanks (250kL & 500kL)
• Raw Water Pump Skid

• Brine Generation / Storage System c/w Overhead Bulk Bag Unloader
• Waste Water Distribution System c/w Tank & Pump Set
• Chlorine Dosing Pump / Storage System
• Soda Ash Pump / Storage System

Longreach Regional Council recently engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Mackay & Rockhampton branches to manufacture and install a specialised pool water treatment system for the Yaraka Community Pool in Yaraka (a small town in Central West Queensland located 220 kilometres south of Longreach).

This project began with Longreach Regional Council asking for tender submissions to fully upgrade the Yaraka's Pool onsite filtration & treatment systems. Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment was successful in winning the tender thanks to our price competitiveness, delivery times and unique in-house fabrication capabilities. On hearing about the tender a representative from the Dowdens Rockhampton branch immediately attended the pool to properly assess and quote the job. It quickly became apparent that a specialised filtration system was needed due in part to the pools remote location (limiting the possibility of regular system servicing), and the extreme weather patterns (high temperatures, dust storms & limited / sporadic rainfall) experienced in Central QLD.

Dowdens then set about designing the new filtration system utilising inhouse Engineering, Workshop Fabrication & Mobile Pool Servicing Departments. The end result was a unique twin-filtration systems that was mounted onto a fabricated galvanised skid to aid in maneuverability, ease of installation & transportation. The skid base was fabricated specifically to fit the existing shed onsite.

Having all the system components plumbed up on a single sturdy base made installation easy as only the Pump Inlet, Pool Water Return and Wastewater Pipes needed to be connected and the system was ready to go. The skid comprised 2x Pool Glass Media Filters, 2x Pool Pumps and 2x Salt Water Chlorinators. The Salt Water Chlorinators are fully automated allowing for round the clock (controlled via sensors) pH and chlorine / acid dosing together with chlorine generation. This has drastically reduced the need for regular onsite water testing and manual chemical dosing at the community pool. On Dowdens recommendation Longreach Regional Council also purchased a Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner which has noticeably improved the pools cleanliness.

All design, manufacture, delivery and installation / commissioning was successfully completed by Dowdens well within Longreach Regional Council's delivery deadline of six weeks.

The Yaraka Community Pool is now clean and ready for summer. The new equipment Dowdens supplied has reduced the need for costly regular maintenance whilst improving the automation of the pools chlorine levels - keeping the pool sanitised and chemically balanced at all times is extremely important for any community pool. Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's design philosophy for this project was simple: Cost Effectiveness - Ease of Installation - Simple & Effective System Operation - System Reliability & Delivering Greatly Reduced Ongoing Maintenance Requirements.

Yaraka Community Pool Filtration System ~ Key System Features & Components:

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Rockhampton branch were engaged by local beef cattle graziers Lance and Colleen Sypher (located in Alpha, QLD) to deliver a unique surface mounted Solar Array and Pump Float to supply onsite dam water to both their residence and the property's many cattle watering troughs.

Lance and Colleen Sypher approached Dowdens Rockhampton seeking a design for a solar pumping system with the ability to float on their dam, eliminating the need for any power cables or pump modules to be placed on the bank as is the case with traditional dam solar pumping systems. Having the unit completely isolated (floating) on the surface of the dam would remove the potential for the pumping unit sustaining damage from cattle walking along the edge of the dam. Cattle are known to cause damage to solar pump modules (in particular the associated power cables) that are situated on the edge of dams.

The innovative solar pumping unit design that Dowdens developed needed to meet a required flow rate (during the summer months on average the pumps required duty is 25,000 L/day @ 10m total head). Part of this new design incorporated the solar arrays being installed level with the dams surface, the main advantage of this design feature means the pumps power supply is not affected if the floating pontoon swings or floats across the dam. Having the solar arrays set at an angle, as is found on most traditional solar pumping units, would mean the pontoon would need be to be anchored to the floor of the dam (to avoid any rotation away from direct sun), thereby substantially increasing the overall cost of this project. Angled arrays would have also increased the potential for the arrays to catch any high winds, potentially flipping the unit over into the dam.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Rockhampton branch specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of innovative customised Solar Pumping systems for the commercial, agriculture and mining sectors of Central Queensland and the greater Capricorn Coast regions.

The final design incorporated a Mono Pumps 600 Watt SUN-RAY SRX Solar Pump due to it's highly efficient, self-priming helical rotor pump. The pontoon has been designed in a way that it can accommodate a wide range of solar pumping units, making it customisable for whatever site requirements are presented. Dowdens believe this is the first time any pump shop has mounted both the solar arrays and pump unit on a float for this application. Having the solar pump operating independently saves the customer spending time and money travelling to and from the dam each day to switch on the pump.

The entire solar pump float system was designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned on time and within budget. Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Rockhampton branches design philosophy for this project was: Cost Effectiveness - Innovation - Ease of Installation - Simple & Effective Pump Operation - System Reliability & Reduced Ongoing Maintenance.

Dowdens Pumping Rockhampton's Unique Solar Pump Float - Key Components:

• Mono Pumps 600 Watt SUN-RAY SRX Solar Pump
• 2x solar arrays horizontally mounted to customised pump float

• Custom in-house design undertaken by Dowdens Project Engineering Department
• Custom in-house fabrication undertaken by Dowdens Pumping Industrial Workshops

Wesfarmers Resources, a significant Australian producer of metallurgical coal engaged Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Industrial Workshop [Mackay branch] to deliver fast-turnaround servicing to a large selection of DAVEY Water Products Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps [pictured below] that are used onsite at their Curragh Coal Mine, located 30km north of Blackwater in Central Queensland. This servicing project presented a number of challenges for the Dowdens Mackay Industrial Workshop, none more important than the tight timelines in which these repairs needed to be completed.

These DAVEY Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps play a crucial role in the operation of the mine as they are used in various dewatering applications and also to boost supply of water to all of Curragh Coal Mine's various processing areas - including the vitally important Coal Handling & Preparation Plant (CHPP). Wesfarmers are supremely confident in having their pumps serviced by Dowdens Pumping, because after many years of working together they know Dowdens always aim to provide the sale / service of suitable pumps that maximise service life and minimise power usage and downtime. Improving levels of equipment utilisation whilst reducing planned / unplanned maintenance downtime increases the overall productivity of a coal mine.

Wesfarmers Curragh Coal Mine is an open-cut coal mine that provides metallurgical coal for export markets and supplies steaming coal to the Queensland Government's Stanwell Corporation under a long-term contract. Stanwell operate two major electricity generation assets, the Stanwell Power Station located in Central Queensland and the Tarong Power Station, located in the South Burnett, Southern Queensland. Wesfarmers Curragh Coal Mine has a well-established and geographically diverse customer portfolio with a number of long-standing relationships with world-leading steel-makers.

Like with any pump that arrives to Dowdens Pumping - Mackay's Industrial or Domestic Workshop, these Davey VM Vertical Multistage In-Line Pumps were serviced using Dowdens established workshop repair procedures. It was these established procedures and highly regarded workmanship that prompted Wesfarmers Resources to award Dowdens this important servicing contract. Dowdens Pumping - Mackay are so confident in our Workshop Servicing Capabilities we offer a "12 MONTH WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEE" for any service completed in-house - this is by-far the best guarantee available in or around Mackay, QLD. All pumps were successfully serviced and returned to site within Wesfarmers specified deadlines, meaning less downtime for Curragh Mine's related water infrastructure.

A very brief synopsis of this projects Key SERVICING Procedures are listed below:

• Set up pump on work bench & preform suite of electrical tests on motor
• Remove motor from the pump wet end
• Once seperated, run the pump motor independently of pump wet end to establish & gauge motors efficiency
• Submit detailed quote to customer clearly illustrating what is required to repair motor/pump
• Once quote has been accepted immediately begin to repair motor/pump components

• Dismantle motor and replace worn bearings
• Dismantle wet end of pump - clean, strip & asses all components
• Repair and reassemble both motor and pump wet end
• Connect unit to the Dowdens 'Pump Test Bench' & check all pump curves/electrical operation is 100%
• Undertake final inspection before preparing pump for transportation back to Curragh Coal Mine

Since opening in Mackay back in 1973, Dowdens has grown to employ over 160 staff situated across 4 branches in Mackay, Proserpine, Rockhampton and Brisbane permitting us to confidently service customers throughout Queensland, nationally and internationally. Dowdens services now cover all aspects of water engineering and fluid handling resource management for the residential, commercial / industrial, agricultural and mining sectors. From project inception through to final commissioning - the team at Dowdens has the ability to deliver complete specialised long-term engineered solutions that are practical and innovative, ensuring our clients benefit from greater productivity and reduced downtime.

With dedicated departments of industry trained engineers, draftsmen, project managers, sales staff and tradespeople including fitters, mechanics, polywelders, machinists, plumbers, electricians and boiler makers - Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment offer an unmatched range of world-class engineering solutions for any type of water management project. We truly are Queensland's premier one-stop-shop for pumping and water treatment systems! CLICK HERE TO LODGE AN ONLINE PUMP SERVICE REQUEST, OR REQUEST AN OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.

Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Rockhampton branch working closely with Dowdens Pumping - Mackay's Industrial & Fabrication Workshops have successfully designed, manufactured and commissioned a Customised Dewatering Pump System for YANCOAL Australia. YANCOAL own and operate the YARRABEE Coal Mine & Boonal Joint Venture Coal Load Out Facility that is located 40 kilometres north-east of the township of Blackwater, QLD in Central Queensland's Bowen Basin. The Boonal Joint Venture is a coal load out facility located on the Capricorn Highway in Central Queensland, Australia. Coal from both the Yarrabee Coal Mine and Jellinbah Coal Mine are transported via rail link to the Port of Gladstone from the Boonal coal load out facility.

After initial site visits Dowdens Pumping - Rockhampton were able to measure the height and distance required for the dewatering pump system, as well as clearly establish pipe sizes and required flow rates to adequately meet the clients onsite dewatering requirements. This led to the in-house design of the unit by Dowdens Pumping - Mackay's Engineering Department. Once the proposal had been accepted by the client CAD drawings were immediately created and passed onto the Dowdens Industrial Fabrication Workshop.

Boonal Joint Venture's Customised Dewatering Pump System Supply Scope:

• The Yanmar diesel engine recommended by Dowdens Pumping - Rockhampton ensured long term problem free operation
• All fabrication, assembly and performance testing was conducted by Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment in-house & onsite guaranteeing product quality

As Dowdens Pumping are an authorised FLOWSERVE Pumps Distributor, we were able to quickly and easily size and source a FLOWSERVE Hydro Titan Pump. The Hydro Titan 100x65-250 Pump has a capable duty of 14 l/sec (@ 50m total head) and perfectly matched the clients site requirements. From here Dowdens Industrial Fabrication Workshop welded the skid base together which was then bunded and fully hot dip galvanised. This innovative system utilised a universal coupling, installed between the pump and motor to reduce the chance of miss alignment occurring between the pump and engine.

Dowdens Industrial Fabrication Workshop then proceeded to assemble and mount the 125l diesel fuel tank, Yanmar 3TNV84TEPP-PE 3-Cylinder Diesel Engine, Hydro Titan 100x65-250 Pump and install the universal coupling. Dowdens Electricians then connected the battery and solar array charger module to the canopy [pictured below], whilst mounting the Yanmar 'Engine Protection Unit'. The engine was then taken outside and tested. Once all this was completed it was transported to site where final commissioning was successfully completed.

The complete Boonal Joint Venture's Customised Dewatering Pump System was designed, installed and commissioned by Dowdens Pumping on time and within budget. Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment's Rockhampton branches design philosophy for this project was: Cost Effectiveness - Innovation - Ease of Installation - Simple & Effective Pump Operation - Engine Longevity - System Reliability & Reduced Ongoing Maintenance.

Boonal Joint Venture's Customised Dewatering Pump System - Key Components:

• Hydro Titan 100x65-250 Pump with Universal Coupling
• Yanmar 3TNV84TEPP-PE 3-Cylinder Diesel Engine
• Mine Site Specification Compliance achieved

• Custom hot dipped galvanized pump base fitted with bunding to house diesel fuel tank
• Custom in-house design undertaken by Dowdens Project Engineering Department
• Custom in-house fabrication undertaken by Dowdens Pumping Industrial Workshops