Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
lated operating costs. The unit can be paced to flow and pH levels, and will adjust
chemical dosages of coagulant and pH control chemicals accordingly.
No matter what control systems are used, the burden of producing a safe drinking
water rests with the operator. In this regard, there is no substitute for a well-trained
operator who has the necessary skills and dedication to operate the equipment properly.
Most package system manufacturers' equipment manuals include at least brief sec-
tions on operating principles, methods for establishing proper chemical dosages, in-
structions for operating the equipment, and troubleshooting guides. An individual who
studies these basic instructions and receives a comprehensive start-up and operator
training session from the manufacturer's start-up technicians should be able to operate
the equipment easily and satisfactorily.
These services are vital to the successful performance of a package water treatment
plant and should be a requirement of the package system manufacturer. The engineer
designing a package system should specify that start-up and training services be pro-
vided by the manufacturer, and also should consider requiring the manufacturer to visit
the plant at 6-month and 1-year intervals after start-up to adjust the equipment, review
operations, and retrain operating personnel. Further, this program should be ongoing,
and funds should be budgeted every year for at least one revisit by the manufacturer.
REFERENCE
1. ''California Surface Water Treatment Alternative Filtration Technology Demonstration Report,''
Edited by R. H. Sakaji, November 23, 1998.
