Dalby Water Supply Upgrade - Ongoing

DOWNLOAD THE FULL CASE STUDY BELOW

Case Study - Dalby Water Supply Upgrade.pdf

Download PDF • 342KB

Project Overview and Background

Maxwell Electrotech Pty Ltd was engaged by the Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) to provide electrical engineering support services for the Dalby Water Supply Upgrade Project (DWSUP). The project aimed to upgrade electrical infrastructure at key bore sites, including the Loudoun Bore Pump Station (PS) and the Northern Water Treatment Plan (NWTP) Bore PS. The objective was to improve reliability and efficiency while ensuring compliance with WDRC and Australian standards. Maxwell Industries' scope included defining technical requirements, developing site-specific electrical designs, and creating a standardised electrical specification to guide future projects.

The project was delivered in two stages.

Stage 1 focused on developing a detailed electrical specification through site inspections, stakeholder workshops, and technical assessments, covering areas like switchboard construction, control systems, and SCADA integration. An 80% review workshop ensured alignment with WDRC's expectations before final submission.

Stage 2 involved translating the specification into detailed concept designs, including single-line diagrams, switchboard layouts, load assessments, and network architecture drawings. Maxwell Industries provided ongoing stakeholder coordination and design management, ensuring that all deliverables met WDRC's technical and operational requirements.

Project outcomes and impact

The project improved infrastructure reliability and efficiency by addressing voltage drop challenges, standardising switchboard configurations, and ensuring adequate fault level compliance. The structured design approach reduced the risk of installation issues during the construction phase and provided WDRC with a clear roadmap for the Design & Construct (D&C) phase. The outcome positioned WDRC to better manage future water supply infrastructure upgrades with consistent technical standards and improved operational resilience.

Project Deliverables

Stage 1 - Develop WDRC Specification

• Initiation Workshop & Site Inspections: Conducted initial meetings with WDRC representatives and performed site investigations to establish the foundation for electrical and switchboard specifications.

• Specification Development: Developed a detailed electrical specification addressing key areas such as:

  • Design guidelines

  • Switchboard construction and installation requirements

  • Earthing, control systems, telemetry, and SCADA integration

  • Instrumentation, motor starters, and field equipment

  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), lighting, power, labeling, and power quality

• 80% Specification Review Workshop: Conducted a structured review session with WDRC to confirm specification details before final submission.

Stage 2 - Concept Design

• Concept Single Line Diagrams (SLDs): Developed site-specific SLDs for Loudoun Bore PS and NWTP Bore PS to reflect electrical infrastructure requirements.

• Switchboard and Switchroom Layouts: Prepared general arrangement (GA) drawings and switchroom layouts, ensuring compliance with AS/NZS 3000 standards and critical clearances.

• Electrical Load Rating Assessments: Conducted load assessments for maximum demand and fault levels to validate compliance with operational standards.

• Typical Schematics: Developed standardised schematics including:

  • Incomer and pump control schematics

  • 24Vdc distribution

  • PLC/RTU control diagrams

  • Network Architecture

Additional Project Support

• Client Liaison and Stakeholder Coordination: Maintained regular communication with WDRC representatives to address design inputs, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with project objectives.

• Comment Register and Revision Tracking: Established and maintained a structured comment register to track design revisions and ensure that all stakeholder feedback was incorporated.

• Coordination with External Suppliers: Liaised with equipment suppliers to confirm compatibility with WDRC's infrastructure and ensure seamless integration during construction.

• Post-Submission Support: Offered availability for technical clarification and additional engineering support during the D&C phase, as needed.

Challenges and issues overcome

The project faced key challenges, including managing voltage drop for high-power bore pumps at depths of 300-350 metres while adhering to a 40mm cable diameter limit. Maxwell Industries resolved this by selecting a 1000V supply system, which ensured compliance with voltage drop limits and allowed for consistent cable sizing. Variability in existing switchboard configurations also posed a challenge, which was addressed by developing a standardised switchboard specification to ensure uniformity across sites.