Xylem provided end-to-end support on the project, capturing the specific requirements of the site and selecting the most appropriate pumps and control systems to meet The Canal and Rivers Trust’s needs.
The Challenge
The River Severn has supplied drinking water to Bristol via the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal since the 1960s and currently provides around half of the city’s supply.
The four existing column pumps at Gloucester Docks - which are vital for managing water levels in the canal and keeping Bristol’s water supply running - were reaching the end of their working life and needed replacement. Maintenance was becoming time-consuming and costly, as the existing pumps needed manual inspection which required the pumps to be lifted out of their position and physically checked.
The Canal & Rivers Trust initiated the pump replacement project as part of a wider activity to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions at the site, as well as improve the quality of water monitoring. Xylem was challenged to replace the aging pumps while keeping disruption to the area at a minimum and - most importantly - without disrupting the drinking water supply for 300,000 Bristol residents.
The Solution
The pump replacement project involved the installation of four new custom designed Flygt column pumps at the Gloucester Docks site. The pumps, which have been designed to be easier to maintain and more efficient than their predecessors, were installed over three phases between 2021 and 2023 to minimise disruption. Each pump required a 40-tonne road crane to install.
As the leading brand in the market, Flygt pumps offer a high level of resilience giving them a lifespan of around 20 years, reducing the need for frequent maintenance visits. The pumps, which operate on demand, can be controlled locally or through the Trust’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) management software, giving them real-time data insights into the operation of the pumps.
Xylem also fitted up-to-date technology to other equipment in the field, to allow for remote monitoring and control of the full system.
The Results
The four Flygt column pumps installed by Xylem are able to take an average of 100 million litres of water per day from the River Severn to feed the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, ensuring the water levels at the canal remain stable and drinking water makes it way to Bristol residents.
In addition, CO2 emissions have been reduced using energyefficient motors and upgraded propellers, and the pumps have cut the electricity consumption for the pumping station by around 10 percent.
The pumps can be controlled by the Trust’s SCADA level management software reducing the need for on-site visits and physical inspection, in turn reducing maintenance costs for the Trust.