Working Areas
Catchment Management/ Integrated Water Resource Management – IWRM
Production Processes & Service Quality & Water Safety (Drinking Water)
Sanitation & Hygiene Services
Other
Organizations Involved
Aguas Santafesinas S.A. — Lead Mentee
Aigües del Prat — Lead Mentor
AEOPAS
—
Supporting Org
WOP-Latin America and the Caribbean
—
Broker
The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance
—
Funder
SDGs
6.1Universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.2Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all
6.5Implemented integrated water resources management at all levels
Project description
The WOP comes from the invitation that Aguas Santafesinas S.A. received to participate in a Regional Workshop for capacity building about water safety plans held in November of 2012 in Quito (Ecuador), financed by UN-Habitat/GWOPA, with the collaboration of IWA and Cap-Net.
Thereafter, Aguas Santafesinas (ASSA) with the support of AEOPAS, the Spanish Association of Public Water Utilities and WOP-LAC, was put in contact with the Spanish utility Aigües del Prat S.A. that operates a reverse osmosis plant, recognized by its excellent management, similar to the ASSA one.
The WOP contributed to develop the ASSA own water safety plan, and specifically for the town of Firmat in Argentina, that in summertime suffers from the lack of water to supply the population. The potabilisation of the aquifer of the area is the main issue.
Thereafter, Aguas Santafesinas (ASSA) with the support of AEOPAS, the Spanish Association of Public Water Utilities and WOP-LAC, was put in contact with the Spanish utility Aigües del Prat S.A. that operates a reverse osmosis plant, recognized by its excellent management, similar to the ASSA one.
The WOP contributed to develop the ASSA own water safety plan, and specifically for the town of Firmat in Argentina, that in summertime suffers from the lack of water to supply the population. The potabilisation of the aquifer of the area is the main issue.
Project main objectives
The objective of this WOP is to contribute to the Development of the Water Safety Plan that the company Aguas Santafesinas SA tries to develop and implement for its Reverse Osmosis Plant in the City of Firmat, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina.
Why develop a Water Safety Plan (WSP)?
Through the adoption of a WSP, an operator can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its structure and ensure the supply of water in adequate quantities and quality. Through a framework of risk assessment and management that is complete and considers all stages, from catchment to consumption, operators acquire the tools to identify and address those priorities that may affect the delivery of the service. A (WSP) is the most effective instrument to ensure that water meets the minimum health requirements, as well as other essential parameters to classify water as potable. In order to protect human health and ensure the availability of uncontaminated water, a PSA has as its main objectives the minimization of contamination at the source level, the reduction or elimination of pollutants through appropriate treatment processes, and contamination risk prevention during the distribution phase. The advantage of a WSP is that it can be applied to any type of water supply system, regardless of its size or complexity.
General objectives of the WOP:
- Contribute to the Preparation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP)
- Establish professional relationships with specialists in the treatment of water by reverse osmosis.
- Acquire knowledge about methodologies and ways of working in the different production processes.
- Acquire knowledge on ways of managing human and economic resources.
Specific objectives of the WOP:
- Basin protection
- Quality control of collected and supplied water
- POI operational control
- Knowledge of used technology
- Energy recovery - Rejection
- Maintenance and control of networks
- Relationship with the user
- Rates
- Expand knowledge (reagents, supplies, suppliers, etc.)
Why develop a Water Safety Plan (WSP)?
Through the adoption of a WSP, an operator can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its structure and ensure the supply of water in adequate quantities and quality. Through a framework of risk assessment and management that is complete and considers all stages, from catchment to consumption, operators acquire the tools to identify and address those priorities that may affect the delivery of the service. A (WSP) is the most effective instrument to ensure that water meets the minimum health requirements, as well as other essential parameters to classify water as potable. In order to protect human health and ensure the availability of uncontaminated water, a PSA has as its main objectives the minimization of contamination at the source level, the reduction or elimination of pollutants through appropriate treatment processes, and contamination risk prevention during the distribution phase. The advantage of a WSP is that it can be applied to any type of water supply system, regardless of its size or complexity.
General objectives of the WOP:
- Contribute to the Preparation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP)
- Establish professional relationships with specialists in the treatment of water by reverse osmosis.
- Acquire knowledge about methodologies and ways of working in the different production processes.
- Acquire knowledge on ways of managing human and economic resources.
Specific objectives of the WOP:
- Basin protection
- Quality control of collected and supplied water
- POI operational control
- Knowledge of used technology
- Energy recovery - Rejection
- Maintenance and control of networks
- Relationship with the user
- Rates
- Expand knowledge (reagents, supplies, suppliers, etc.)
Most significant results
1) CONTROL OF WATER VOLUMES PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED
• The installation of flow meters / meters at the production stations.
• The control of the volumes used by the subscribers.
• Network performance.
• Network sectorization for leak control.
2) KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROWING RATES APPLIED IN PRAT DE LLOBREGAT
• APSA average bill: € 39 bimonthly (3 people - 95 lt /room/day)
• Average ASSA bill: € 30 bimonthly (4 people - 200 lt /room/ day)
• Invoice subsidized by the Pcial State. approx. € 10 - APSA would be € 145 bim.
3) AUTOMATED OPERATING SYSTEMS
• Automatic cleaning three-layer filters
• Remote control of automatic warnings for various alarms.
4) SAVING PRODUCTION COSTS
• Turbocharger
• Increase in performance reduces costs (energy, reagents, ...)
• Work staff
• Teamwork between different areas.
• Multidisciplinary staff
5) METER INSTALLATION:
• 2014: 148 meters
• 2015 (July): 317 meters - increase of 10.5% measured park
6) WATER NOT ACCOUNTED
Two leak detection campaigns were carried out:
• July 2014: 20 km route - Result: 2.5 leaks / km; approx. 8.4 m³ / h
• October 2014: 14 km route - Result: 4.2 leaks / km; approx. 12.5 m³ / h
• Two campaigns: 20.9 m³ / h = 183,125 m³ / year (8.5% of the annual volume delivered)
• The total cost per m3 produced is approx .: 0.5 €
• Recovery of € 91,500 / year
• Preview 3rd Fredickson Neighborhood Campaign
7) NETWORK SECTORIZATION
• Existence of 7 pitometric cameras, out of service. In July 2014, 1 was put into operation, planned at the end of 2015 to put another one, to start monitoring the night consumption for leak detection.
CONCLUSIONS
SUCCESS FACTORS:
-Predisposition of the staff of the two companies to teach and show everything they do in their daily work, both positive and negative aspects.
-The realization of a previous joint plan to exchange information for the visit.
-Preparation and joint approval of the work plan to be developed.
-Similar language and culture
-Involvement of the company's management
-Set specific objectives and actions to develop.
BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Different point of view and management of the same sector.
-Knowledge of materials and equipment.
-Management and optimization of staff.
-Personal enrichment.
• The installation of flow meters / meters at the production stations.
• The control of the volumes used by the subscribers.
• Network performance.
• Network sectorization for leak control.
2) KNOWLEDGE OF THE GROWING RATES APPLIED IN PRAT DE LLOBREGAT
• APSA average bill: € 39 bimonthly (3 people - 95 lt /room/day)
• Average ASSA bill: € 30 bimonthly (4 people - 200 lt /room/ day)
• Invoice subsidized by the Pcial State. approx. € 10 - APSA would be € 145 bim.
3) AUTOMATED OPERATING SYSTEMS
• Automatic cleaning three-layer filters
• Remote control of automatic warnings for various alarms.
4) SAVING PRODUCTION COSTS
• Turbocharger
• Increase in performance reduces costs (energy, reagents, ...)
• Work staff
• Teamwork between different areas.
• Multidisciplinary staff
5) METER INSTALLATION:
• 2014: 148 meters
• 2015 (July): 317 meters - increase of 10.5% measured park
6) WATER NOT ACCOUNTED
Two leak detection campaigns were carried out:
• July 2014: 20 km route - Result: 2.5 leaks / km; approx. 8.4 m³ / h
• October 2014: 14 km route - Result: 4.2 leaks / km; approx. 12.5 m³ / h
• Two campaigns: 20.9 m³ / h = 183,125 m³ / year (8.5% of the annual volume delivered)
• The total cost per m3 produced is approx .: 0.5 €
• Recovery of € 91,500 / year
• Preview 3rd Fredickson Neighborhood Campaign
7) NETWORK SECTORIZATION
• Existence of 7 pitometric cameras, out of service. In July 2014, 1 was put into operation, planned at the end of 2015 to put another one, to start monitoring the night consumption for leak detection.
CONCLUSIONS
SUCCESS FACTORS:
-Predisposition of the staff of the two companies to teach and show everything they do in their daily work, both positive and negative aspects.
-The realization of a previous joint plan to exchange information for the visit.
-Preparation and joint approval of the work plan to be developed.
-Similar language and culture
-Involvement of the company's management
-Set specific objectives and actions to develop.
BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Different point of view and management of the same sector.
-Knowledge of materials and equipment.
-Management and optimization of staff.
-Personal enrichment.
Challenges
CHALLENGES:
-Continue with the planned investment policy
-Get 100% of subscribers measured with counter
-Perform the total sectorization of the municipality
-Extrapolate concepts and work philosophy implemented in Firmat to other municipalities
-Extrapolate the very satisfactory results of Firmat to other municipalities
-Continue with the planned investment policy
-Get 100% of subscribers measured with counter
-Perform the total sectorization of the municipality
-Extrapolate concepts and work philosophy implemented in Firmat to other municipalities
-Extrapolate the very satisfactory results of Firmat to other municipalities