The Existing Calen/Kolijo Water Supply Scheme, constructed in 1993, consists of two raw water bores, a water treatment plant with a softener system and chlorinator, and a reservoir that collectively serves approximately 146 consumers across Calen and Kolijo, treating around 140 kL of raw water daily.
Due to aging infrastructure and water quality issues, the plant’s equipment has been replaced and upgraded to modern standards. Key upgrades included the installation of high-capacity water softeners with automated monitoring, improvements to the buildings, and significant enhancements to the chlorine gas dosing system with advanced safety features.
Additionally, a new Plant Control System with a PLC and remote access capabilities was implemented. It aims to ensure minimal operational oversight while maintaining consistent water supply and quality.
The project also involved site civil works, such as constructing a new salt storage shed and installing an overhead monorail crane while adhering to specific design constraints that ensured continuous water supply and safety during the upgrade process.
The deployment of SCADAPACK Remote Terminal Units across the Calen Water System enhanced communication capabilities, facilitating improved monitoring and control of the entire water supply.
The existing plant and associated equipment had reached the end of its useful life, leading to frequent failures and ongoing water quality issues caused by unreliable equipment. These challenges made meeting operational demands and ensuring consistent performance increasingly difficult.
Additionally, the plant’s outdated control system was primitive, lacking the advanced SCADA functionality standard in modern water treatment plants. This limited the ability to monitor and manage processes efficiently, further complicating operations and reducing overall reliability.
As a remote site, the design intent was to create a facility requiring minimal operation time and attention, with only one visit per week.
The existing dual 63” water softeners were replaced with new dual 48” high-capacity water softeners with advanced cation exchange resin. All regeneration, monitoring, and system-related functions, including comprehensive feedback and SCADA alarms from field devices, have been automated.
The existing equipment in the softener and chlorine buildings were removed and disposed of to allow for complete remediation of both buildings, including:
The following major equipment items were supplied and installed as part of the softening system:
Site civil works included a new colourbond salt storage shed, an overhead monorail crane, concrete slabs for the surrounding brine pit, and a softened water tank. Dowden’s staff installed all pipework, valving, and field devices as part of the upgrade, and a third-party contractor poured the concrete slab and erected the shed and crane.
The existing chlorine gas dosing system onsite was provided with additional automation and safety features, including:
The Plant Control System consisted of a new control panel with the following equipment:
Remote sites that form part of the Calen Water System (Raw Water Bores & Potable Reservoir) were also upgraded with new SCADAPACK Remote Terminal Units ( RTUs) for improved communication.
Our main goal was to minimise disruption to the water supply, allowing only a 48-hour shutdown for the chlorine dosing system upgrades. Safety was critical, especially in designing protections for the Raw Water Bore Pumps to prevent over-pressurisation during shut-head conditions, which helps safeguard the Water Treatment Plant’s equipment.
We also faced electrical supply limitations, leading us to upgrade to a 3-phase 32A system through Ergon Energy. To ensure that water services remained uninterrupted, we carefully planned the staging of new plant cut-in activities. These strategies helped us meet operational, safety, and service continuity needs, reflecting a thoughtful approach to system design and implementation.
Dowdens Pumping and Water Treatment offers a wide range of high-quality products from globally recognised brands, ensuring customers access reliable and efficient solutions. We are also authorised service agents for all the brands we supply.
Dowdenp provides comprehensive brochures in our Document Library, showcasing our extensive range of products and solutions for pumping and water treatment. These brochures showcase our capability to create custom solutions for any application and highlight our team of industry-trained professionals who can adapt to meet your specific needs.
The Dowdens Video Library features real-world examples of installations, showcasing our practical experience and problem-solving skills. Also included is a comprehensive range of brand videos showcasing various product uses and capabilities.
Dowdens Case Studies highlight our extensive expertise in providing innovative and practical solutions across various industries, including agriculture, mining, construction, and municipal services. These detailed insights demonstrate our ability to manage projects from initial planning and design through to final commissioning.
The Dowdens Team are ready to help. Contact us today for more information and to start the conversation.
Dowdens has four convenient locations throughout Queensland. We have branches in Mackay and Proserpine in the north, servicing the Sugar and Coal industries, a centrally located branch in Rockhampton, specialising in the Agricultural and Coal industries, and a branch in Brisbane, servicing multiple industries in the southeast of Queensland.
"*" indicates required fields
