COWRA SHIRE BILLIMARI DROUGHT SECURITY PUMP STATION
AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE

Cowra Shire Council has received funding to construct permanent water supply bores in Jumbuck Lane near Billimari in New South Wales and transfer water to Cowra River High Level Pump Station to provide an alternative water supply in case of future drought. The project consists of the construction of a reservoir and pump station for a proposed raw water main from Billimari to Cowra. The project was undertaken through funding made available through NSW Water Security for regions program.

Description of Works.

The Works under the project is for the construction of reservoir and pump station to service the proposed raw water main from Billimari to Cowra. The Works include, but are not limited to:

• Construction of a new water pumping station to deliver 6 ML per day over 20 hours with capacity for 200 L/s;
• Connection of the pumping station to the proposed new 375mm water main.
• Construction of a building to house the new pumping station.
• Supply and installation of pumps and all associated pipework and valving.
• Supply and construction of a 200KL concrete storage tank (‘Reservoir’)
• Electrical works, including switchboard, variable speed drives (VSDs) and ancillary works.
• Testing of the pump station.
• Telemetry and scada installation; and all associated works.
• As the Contractor we were responsible the supply and delivery of all materials, plant, equipment and labour required for construction, and the testing and commissioning of the works to ensure successful completion in accordance with the requirements of the Contract.

Works Undertaken

Pump System

• Supply and construction of a 200kl concrete storage reservoir including all associated inlet and outlet pipework and all required safety platforms.
• Supply and install 450mm DICL Suction manifold from reservoir to pump intake including required bypass valve and all associated fittings.
• Supply and install 2 Flowmax Horizontal Split Case Electric Boost Pumps 75kw with a duty of 95l/s @ 60mrts each and with all required valves and fittings.
• 375mm DICL Discharge pipework and manifold including NMI Certified 375mm Water meter with remote display to interface with councils clear Scada control system and to monitor water depth and current and cumulative flow rates out of council reservoir.
• Gate Valves, Check Valves, and all associated connection fittings to link both pumps to the existing holding tank and 375mm trunk main.
• Design supply and construct 12mrt x 9mrt Concrete block building to house all pumps and fully air conditioned to maintain desired pump running temperature.
• Testing and Commissioning

Pump Electrical System

• Design supply and install Electrical pump shed Switchboard and Motor control centre including Variable Speed Pump drives to interface with councils clear Scada control system to monitor bore water depths and current and cumulative flow rates to council WTP.
• The pipeline pumps are confirmed to utilise 75 kW motors and will operate in a duty/standby arrangement with will automatically alternating daily. The pump motors will be VSD controlled to allow dynamic adjustment of the pipeline flow rate under certain conditions. The pumps have had motorised inlet and outlet valves fitted and the control of these motorised valves has been incorporated into the MCC design. The bore field pumps are proposed to utilise 55 kW motors and will be VSD controlled, based on advice from Council it is understood that a maximum of two bore pumps are proposed, these have been incorporated into the MCC design including the ability of having both operating concurrently. The electrical design incorporates I/O for electrical instrumentation as identified in the functional specification including flow meters, pressure transducers and security reed switches at access doors. PLCs are to be used at the pumping station and the Cowra Council communications interface over Radio telemetry.
• Testing and Commissioning

Highlights, Innovations and Key Risks

• Infield modifications to adapt to council requirements.
• Major equipment delays due to hangover from Covid virus
• Weekly wet weather compounded construction from the start of the project
• Ongoing discussions with council to improve the water supply system
• No underground service strikes for the duration of the project
• Major Pump and Electrical construction in regional area
• All subcontractors on the project were local to the region