Three main types of construction are required to connect our northern and southern water supplies. These are pump stations, pressure reducing valves and pipes.
Pump stations
Much of Adelaide’s water supply network is gravity fed, which means we can move water from high points to low points allowing gravity to do much of the work. However, where the water needs to be moved across flat or undulating land, uphill, or across long distances, we have to use pumping stations to push it along.
To move large volumes of water effectively to all of our customers, we have about 60 pumping stations strategically placed throughout the network to minimise the amount of energy required to move the water.
Many pump stations are located in residential areas as they are primarily required to provide secure and direct water supply to housing. Pump stations help maintain reliable supply, good water quality, and maintain pressure.
As part of the North South Interconnection System Project we are constructing three new pumping stations at:
- Clapham
- Wattle Park
- Gilberton
Pump Station Design and Amenity
SA Water has worked with local communities to balance the functionality of the sites with the design and visual appearance of the proposed stations. Architects impressions of these buildings can be found in presentations given to the community groups under the presentations and minutes page.
Construction is now well underway on the Wattle Park and Clapham pump stations. Construction started in March 2012 at the Gilberton pump station.
SA Water continues to work with site neighbours, Council and other stakeholders to minimise any impacts during the construction period.
Noise
Pump stations are designed to contain noise, with the pumping ‘machinery’ housed within acoustically controlled structures. While all pumping stations are different, noise controls such as landscaping and building acoustics are considered for each site. Compliance with EPA guidelines will be an absolute minimum requirement.
Pressure Reducing and Pressure Sustaining Valves
SA Water owns, operates and maintains more than 26,000 kilometers of water mains across the State – more than 8000 kilometers in the metropolitan area.
The number of connections, water consumption by customers and our network operations can all impact the rate at which water flows through the system.
To ensure a secure, reliable and consistent water supply we must maintain a steady pressure is the system and we often do this through a number of measures, including installation of pressure reduction valves (PRVs) and pressure sustaining valves (PSVs) on our pipelines. PRVs and PSVs can help us control leaks and pipe bursts, as well as ease pressure problems in our customers’ pipe networks.
For this project, we are required to upgrade PRVs at Seacliff, Wattle Park and Springfield. A new pressure regulating valve station is required in the Para Hills/Para Vista area, known as the Northern PRV, and a new pressure sustaining valve station is required at our Terminal Storage site on Grand Junction Road. For more information regarding the Northern PRV please read the fact sheet.
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