Jerrys Plains Water Pump Station

Scope

Our team was engaged to undertake the comprehensive design and construction of a new potable water pump station for the community of Jerrys Plains, located within the Singleton Council area of New South Wales. This vital infrastructure project was tendered by Singleton Council with the objective of enhancing the town’s water supply by boosting water from the regional network into the Jerrys Plains reservoir.

The project encompassed a complete turnkey solution, delivering a state-of-the-art pump station fully controlled by a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. Our scope included the meticulous design and construction of a new pump shed, ensuring robust housing for the critical equipment. We were also responsible for all necessary new water connections to seamlessly integrate with the existing regional network and the Jerrys Plains reservoir, alongside the installation of a reliable new power supply to the station.

At the heart of the new pump station’s functionality was the supply and installation of a Grundfos variable speed multistage pump, chosen for its efficiency and ability to adapt to varying demand. To ensure precise control and monitoring, our scope also included the integration of flow meters, automated control valves, and a sophisticated new control board. Furthermore, we incorporated provisions for a future chlorine dosing system, demonstrating foresight for the community’s evolving water treatment needs.

The unique rural setting of the project, situated at the back of an existing farm in rural NSW, presented specific considerations that were carefully managed throughout the design and construction phases. This holistic approach ensured a robust, efficient, and future-proof potable water solution for Jerrys Plains.

Challenges

The Jerrys Plains potable water pump station project, while seemingly straightforward, presented several intricate challenges that demanded meticulous planning and execution to ensure its successful completion with minimal disruption to the existing water supply.

A primary challenge involved the integration with the existing pipework that supplied water to both the Jerrys Plains reservoir and the town in general. Our scope necessitated cutting into this live pipework to incorporate the new pump station. This critical cut-in operation had to be performed with absolute minimum interruptions to the water supply, requiring careful scheduling, pre-fabrication, and efficient on-site execution to limit inconvenience to residents. This involved detailed coordination with Singleton Council to identify optimal timings and implement contingency plans.

Another significant operational challenge was the requirement to operate the new pump station concurrently with the old one until Singleton Council was completely satisfied with the performance and reliability of the new system. This extended operational overlap ensured a seamless transition, but it also demanded careful management of two independent systems, monitoring their performance, and making necessary adjustments without compromising the continuous supply of water. This dual-operation phase necessitated a highly responsive and adaptable team to address any unforeseen issues promptly.

Finally, the demolition of the old pump station presented its own set of challenges, particularly regarding environmental compliance. Situated on an active farm in rural NSW, our team had to adhere strictly to all environmental requirements outlined by Singleton Council. This meant implementing precise demolition techniques and waste management strategies to avoid any negative impact on the farmland or surrounding environment. This included careful handling of materials, preventing soil contamination, and ensuring the site was left in a pristine condition, reflecting our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.