Know all tank dimensions, including elevations of floor and overflow.
Verify tank capacities and the capacity per foot.
Know the equalization, fire, and emergency levels and capacities.
Know your tank rate of changes +/- at all times with the SCADA system.
With this information, make informed decisions, instead of relying on the classic “saw tooth” pattern of operation.
With our unique ability to store water in tanks, we should think more of a tank as an energy storage battery, and use equalization storage in place of running pumps.
Storing water is very similar to storing energy, which in turn allows us:
- The ability to run high energy and power motors and other equipment at controlled rates, and during controlled periods of time.
- This is unique in the world of commercial and industrial power users.
Size all new tanks for:
- Required ERC demands as per State DEQ standards.
- Fire and emergency storage.
- Energy storage volumes (for Off-Peak Pumping) if possible.
Inspect and clean all reservoirs regularly, check for leaks and security issues.
Have a reservoir back-up plan in case a reservoir needs to be taken down, with PRVs, pressure regulated pumps, or VFDs, etc.
Install backup floats in reservoirs in case of transducer failures.
Investigate possible ASR (Aquifer Storage and Recovery) projects to reduce the seasonal peaks, and better optimize the usage of water sources or treatment facilities.