Package Plants and Containerized Solutions
Rehabilitation And Upgrade of Sand Filters

Rehabilitation And Upgrade of Sand Filters

TTP4 Sharjah Municipality Drainage Department – UAE

The Sharjah Municipality is one of the oldest municipalities in the UAE and has been in charge of managing the utilities and public services of the emirate, since its inception in 1927. Although the authority was managing the distribution of basic utilities for several years since its launch, it was in 1971 when a decree was passed to streamline its domain of responsibilities and grant it the authority to supervise public services and utilities in Sharjah.

The existing rapid sand filters, consisting of 14 filter beds, faced challenges in capacity and performance, necessitating a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade. Initially, the filters were underperforming, handling less than their optimal capacity and struggling with inefficiencies in the backwash system.

To address these issues, a series of significant enhancements were undertaken. The filter beds were upgraded, now accommodating a capacity of 105,000 cubic meters per day. Improvements to the backwash system were a key focus, optimizing the performance of the filters to ensure consistent and reliable operation.

In addition, the lifting station feeding the sand filters was upgraded to streamline the process and improve overall efficiency. These upgrades have resulted in not only an increased capacity for the water treatment facility but also enhanced the quality of the treated water, setting a new standard for water treatment excellence.

The project was awarded to MENA-Water in November 2019, the project faced numerous challenges, including integrating new designs into the existing building structure and adhering to stringent time and quality constraints. Despite these hurdles, the project was completed within eight months, culminating in the successful commissioning and operation of the upgraded facility.

  • Repairing the civil structure of the sand filter beds.
  • Cleaning the RGSF beds and pipelines.
  • Repairing or replacing air scour nozzles in the filter beds based on manufacturer recommendations.
  • Supplying and replacing the sand filter media.
  • Replacing the filter inlet penstocks.
  • Supplying and replacing actuators at the filter bed inlet penstocks.
  • Executing all electrical works associated with the refurbishment.
  • Automating and integrating new actuators.
  • Integrating the system with the main SCADA.
  • Refurbishing the TLP station.
  • Replacing the backwash pumps.

The design, construction, and commissioning phases were completed on schedule, and the plant was successfully brought online. The entire facility is now operated using state-of-the-art PLC technology. One of the standout features of this project is the enhanced quality of effluent water, which can now be safely used for irrigation. This advancement not only conserves water resources but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to the overall environmental sustainability of the region.

This project exemplifies innovation and efficiency in water treatment, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality water and setting a new benchmark for future initiatives.

The advantage of rapid sand filters can summarized as below:

  • Low maintenance cost.
  • Low overall cost.
  • Ability to remove small-sized dirt (20-40 microns) and debris.

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