Automated devices enhance water quality

Gippsland Water will add 20 automated flushing devices to pipelines across its service area over the next two years.  

The series of installations kicked off in Toongabbie and Cowwarr last month, with Morwell and Rosedale next in line.  

The technology was previously recognised in the Intelligent Water Network’s Hydrovation Challenge and the Water Industry Operation’s Association of Australia’s PASS Awards, which celebrated the organisation's work to make the devices programmable from a remote location.  

Automated flushing devices work by pushing a short burst of treated water through pipes to maintain water quality and disinfection levels.  

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the 20 devices will join 15 already in service and help the organisation avoid service interruptions.  

“Automated flushing devices offer much more flexibility than manual flushing, which is a common type of maintenance we do across the network.” Ms Cumming said. 

“Manual flushing is labour intensive and can cause pressure changes and other interruptions for customers, which we want to avoid wherever possible.  

“We can program these devices to release water when needed, whether that be overnight, on holidays or on weekends, and can do so without interrupting our customer’s water supply. 

“As a progressive essential service provider, we’re always keen to try new technologies that improve our processes supplying high-quality drinking water.” 

Morwell and Rosedale are scheduled to receive installations in March.  

To find out more about how Gippsland Water manages water quality, visit  www.gippswater.com.au/waterquality

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