The Impact of Variable Speed Drives on Storm Pumps in the UK Water Industry

How Quantum Controls are working to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

Storm pumps play a critical role in the UK water industry, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding. These pumps are responsible for managing excess water by diverting it away from flood-prone areas and directing it to treatment works. In many cases, storm pumps are large in power rating, built to handle significant volumes of water, but they are used infrequently due to the unpredictable nature of extreme weather events.

The most common control method for storm pumps has traditionally been Direct-On-Line (D.O.L.) starting, which initiates the pump at full speed with no control over the flow rate. This simple on/off method lacks any capacity for managing or adjusting the flow, creating several operational challenges for water companies across the UK.

Challenges with D.O.L. Starting Method:

  1. Full Flow with No Control: When storm pumps are activated using D.O.L. starting, they immediately operate at full capacity, pumping water at their maximum flow rate. However, treatment facilities are not always equipped to handle such large inflows of water. Often, this creates bottlenecks at the treatment works, limiting the operators’ ability to process the incoming water and increasing the likelihood of untreated or partially treated water being discharged into UK waterways.
  2. Untreated Water Discharges: When storm pumps are activated without flow control, excess water can overwhelm treatment plants, leading to untreated or partially treated sewage and stormwater being discharged into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. This poses a serious environmental risk, contributing to pollution in UK waterways and affecting the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.
  3. Inefficient Energy Usage: The full-speed operation of storm pumps results in high energy consumption, even during instances when full capacity may not be required. Given that storm events can vary greatly in intensity, the inability to modulate the flow means that pumps are often operating at levels far beyond what is necessary, leading to wasted energy and higher operational costs for water companies.

The Solution: Variable Speed Drive (VSD) Control

Implementing Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) on storm pumps would allow operators to control the flow rate of the pumps more precisely, providing several key benefits:

  1. Infinitely Adjustable Flow: VSDs enable operators to adjust the pump speed based on the volume of incoming stormwater, allowing them to fine-tune the flow and avoid overwhelming the treatment works. With this level of control, storm pumps can run at lower speeds when full capacity is not required, ensuring that the treatment plants can effectively process all incoming water without discharging untreated water into waterways.
  2. Improved Environmental Outcomes: By controlling the flow of stormwater more effectively, water companies can reduce or even eliminate the discharge of untreated water into UK rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. This improves water quality, protects local ecosystems, and ensures compliance with environmental regulations.
  3. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: VSDs allow pumps to operate at lower speeds during less severe storm events, dramatically reducing the energy consumption of these large pumps. In addition to the immediate energy savings, the ability to optimise pump performance leads to lower maintenance costs and longer equipment lifespans.
  4. Operational Flexibility: VSD-controlled storm pumps provide greater flexibility to water company operators. During unpredictable weather events, they can respond in real-time by adjusting pump speeds to match the stormwater inflow. This operational control reduces the risk of overloading the treatment works, preventing unnecessary discharges.

Case Study: Potential Impact on UK Waterways

If variable speed drive technology were implemented across the UK’s storm pump systems, the benefits would be substantial:

  • Reduced Untreated Water Discharges: With better control over stormwater flows, there would be fewer incidents of untreated water being discharged into waterways, improving the environmental performance of water utilities.
  • Energy Savings: Water utilities could expect to see a reduction in energy costs by operating pumps at the optimal speed for the given inflow, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of pounds annually.
  • Improved Compliance with Regulations: Implementing VSD technology would help water companies meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing water pollution and protecting UK waterways.

Let Quantum Help You Optimise Your Storm Pumps

At Quantum, we specialise in improving pump efficiency and reducing environmental impacts through advanced drive solutions. We offer a comprehensive on-site assessment of your storm pumps, including a detailed evaluation of current operations.

Our service includes:

  • An on-site assessment of your storm pumps and their operational performance.
  • A comprehensive report outlining potential cost savings, energy reductions, and ways to minimise untreated water discharges into UK waterways.
  • Tailored solutions to implement Variable Speed Drives (VSD) for optimised pump control and efficiency.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward improving the efficiency, reliability, and environmental impact of your storm pumps. Let us help you protect the UK’s waterways and save on energy costs.

Email: [email protected]

Call: 01661 835 566

Similar case studies

Water and Waste

Using Cutting Edge Technologies to Save our Framework Customer £500,000

Overcoming the £500,000 Barrier in Drive-to-Motor Cable Replacement at NWL’s Ovingham Site The challenge stemmed from existing outdated Rockwell 3.3kV

Read article
Water and Waste

Recycle Plant Avoid Costly VSD Downtime with Drive Service Partnership

Our OneCall contract customer, RPC-BPI Recycled Products located in Scotland called us when one of their Variable Speed Drives had

Read article
Water and Waste

Preventative Maintenance Sees a 86% Reduction in Downtime due to Breakdowns

The Problem A UK water organisation were calling us regularly due to their drives breaking down. Our Objective To effectively

Read article
Water and Waste

Quantum Deliver 75% Cost Savings on Generator Hire

Quantum Controls’ client, FCC Environmental, were planning their annual maintenance shutdown for critical service works required throughout their plant processes. 

Read article