Introduction One of the most expensive misunderstandings in wastewater treatment and industrial fluid handling is the assumption that all pumps behave hydraulically like centrifugal pumps. This misconception is particularly dangerous when applied to positive displacement (PD) technology. While a centrifugal pump simply stops flowing when discharge pressure equals its shutoff head, a progressive cavity (PC) […]
1. Introduction In the modern landscape of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, the electric valve actuator serves as the critical interface between the control room (SCADA) and the physical process. While the valve body itself—whether a gate, butterfly, plug, or ball valve—dictates the hydraulic characteristics of the system, the electric actuator determines the […]
Introduction In municipal water distribution and treatment plant design, the butterfly valve is often treated as a commodity specification—a “set and forget” component. However, statistical data from utility asset management plans suggests that valve failure during critical isolation events (such as main breaks) occurs in approximately 15-20% of aged assets. The cost of a seized […]
Introduction In municipal water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, valves act as the critical control points for hydraulic stability, process isolation, and flow regulation. A surprising statistic in utility asset management reveals that while valves often constitute less than 10% of a plant’s capital cost, they account for upwards of 25% of the maintenance budget over […]
Small utilities face unique challenges in managing their assets effectively. An asset management program can help these organizations make the most of limited resources and improve service delivery. By taking a systematic approach to maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, small utilities can extend the life of their assets and reduce costs over time. Implementing an asset […]
Top 20 AWWA-WEF Books 1. Public Health Effects of Disasters (2021) – Guidance on protecting public health during and after natural disasters, chemical spills and other emergencies that disrupt water and wastewater infrastructure. 2. Activated Sludge and Nutrient Removal (2022) – Provides updated technical details on activated sludge processes, nitrogen and phosphorus removal, troubleshooting guidance, […]