Facilities at the Villach waterworks include 5 extraction
plants and 12 high-level tanks and pumping stations
where Grundfos SP pumps have been installed.
The situation
The Austrian city of Villach is blessed with
a plentiful supply of ground water suitable for giving natural
drinking water. The city is also fortunate in having local
authorities that focus strongly on the environmental aspects
of providing a good water supply.
The Villach waterworks provides
the city and surrounding areas with a financially viable
supply of drinking water under excellent hygienic conditions.
This is backed by a programme of educating the local population
about how important it is to use this valuable resource in
a responsible way.
To help ensure a municipal water supply
with sustainable long-term perspectives, the Villach waterworks
employs advanced technology, and makes careful plans for
every contingency. The aim is to provide the quality and
quantity required at all times, and to avoid water shortages,
even under adverse weather conditions.
The Grundfos solution
The waterworks draws its drinking
water from two major sources: the Upper Fellach well area
and the Urlaken groundwater well. “To guarantee a
reliable supply of water, we use the most innovative technologies,” says
Councillor Harald Sobe. This constant focus on improvements
and optimisation relies on the cooperation of the local
business community and private citizens. “It is essential
to ensure supplies for future generations. But it is also
the responsibility of customers themselves to use water
responsibly,” says
Mr Sobe.
Facilities at the Villach waterworks include 5
extraction plants and 12 high-level tanks and pumping stations.
Because of a surplus of water, Villach is also able to
provide neighbouring areas with water during dry periods.
As
part of its programme of making constant improvements,
the Villach waterworks installed two Grundfos SP 125-5-AAN
pumps and two SP 215-4-N pumps. A Grundfos control system
provides crucial operating data 24 hours a day, and sets
off an alarm immediately in the event of disruption, or
when approaching the limits for selected operating parameters,
etc. This means that any faults can be located and rectified
quickly, thus guaranteeing an uninterrupted supply of fresh
water. The Grundfos products also contributes to reducing
the operating costs of the waterworks.
The outcome
The Villach
waterworks conducts preventive research projects, external
surveys and close monitoring as regards contamination of
the ground water. As a result, quality of the water has
never been a problem for the people of Villach. The waterworks
secured considerable reserves years ago with a view to
possible times of need. This means that while half of Europe
sometimes suffers from the effects of extremely dry conditions,
Villach actually has ample water reserves.
“It’s
very important to provide Villach with superior drinking
water. By extending our catchment area consistently and
with due consideration for all environmental factors, we’ve
been able to provide an excellent municipal water supply
for our citizens, as well as ensuring that we have sustainable
supplies for posterity. We’ve succeeded in achieving
a very high level of technology in our drinking water management.
And we’ve managed to reduce the Cost of Ownership
at the same time. This is due to far-sightedness, and target-oriented
planning,” says Helmut Manzenreiter, Mayor of Villach.
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