The R113 million upgrade of the Voëlvlei high lift water pump station will see installation of various smart features at the facility as well as general refurbishment. This facility plays an integral role in ensuring residents can rely on their supply.

The City’s Voëlvlei high lift water pump station is situated 112km outside Cape Town, adjacent to the Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant. This pump station takes treated water from the Voëlvlei water treatment plant and pumps it via 84kms of pipeline to supply water to 90% of the north western parts of the City. This includes Blaauwberg, Dunoon, Milnerton, Goodwood and Parow.

The R113 million upgrade at the pump station started in August 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in March 2022.

Key technology advancements include:

• A new redesigned Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which monitors and adjusts the pumping system to ensure that we operate as energy-efficiently as possible.
• Newly installed temperature and vibration detection equipment to monitor the condition of the pump sets. The components feed into the SCADA system and the data is logged for review by the maintenance staff. The data then provides the maintenance staff a predictive glance into the condition of the equipment, allowing for maintenance work to be planned and budgeted for more efficiently.
• Variable speed drives at the pump station to assist with managing the pressure and flow in the pipelines to reduce breakage and leaks. It further enables a ‘soft start’ feature to prolong the lifespan of equipment, by eliminating the starting stresses and forces normally exerted on pump sets during start up. It also enables the motor to be run as efficiently as possible, by reducing the energy loss during the electrical energy to hydraulic energy conversion.
• A mobile platform that allows staff to move around while diagnosing equipment and changing plant parameters. This allows for greater operational flexibility and effectiveness.

As well as smart technology upgrades, new pumps are being installed and a new control room is being built.

‘Investing in our water infrastructure is a priority for the City to ensure our residents continue to have a reliable water supply, and the R113 million investment into upgrading the Voëlvlei water pump station reflects the City’s commitment to providing well-run services now and for generations to come.

‘This significant upgrade, with a key focus on using advanced technology, aims to improve and enhance operational efficiencies at this water scheme, and ultimately strengthening water security.

‘What is important to know, is that the pump station at this water scheme has been in operation since 1976 and the dedicated water and sanitation team working on site has meticulously maintained this infrastructure and allowed it to operate beyond its designed lifespan. In fact, one of the main reasons for the upgrade taking place now is that the parts required for maintenance and repairs are no longer in production.

‘Another notable aspect to the project was that the facility could not be switched off while the new parts were installed, as doing so would mean that a significant portion of the high-lying supply area would be without water during that period. Thus, the upgrade work was performed in parallel to the normal functioning of the plant, in phases.

‘We want to thank our staff for their commitment and have no doubt that the new infrastructure will be as carefully looked after as that which is being replaced, laying strong foundations for the next generation of engineers to work from, and residents to benefit from,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste Alderman Xanthea Limberg.

Source: City Of Cape Town