Campion were contacted by Irish Water to help them design a pumping solution to safeguard the flow of the River Lee during one of the hottest summers on record. A rapid response was required for this project as the water requirement for Cork City and surrounding areas would be affected including Cork’s major pharma industry.
The lack of rainfall during the Summer of 2018 reduced the reservoir at Inniscarra dam to fall to levels not previously recorded in the history of Cork Harbour & City water scheme. The Inniscarra water treatment plant serves about half the needs of Cork City and surrounding areas and the hydroelectric dam is critical to supplying large pharmaceutical companies in Cork Harbour. If the water level dropped below the crest level of the dam this would impact Cork’s water supply and the integrity of the River Lee.
Having previously demonstrated engineering ingenuity, responsiveness and a collaborative approach Irish Water asked Campion to help them identify a solution to maintain the water flow at the Inniscarra Dam.
Together with Irish Water, Campion designed a floating pump solution which consisted of a 16-tonne steel plate pontoon on which a bespoke steel frame was fitted which held three pumps. The pumping solution was floated into position at the centre of the dam and remained in position for 6 weeks providing compensation flows and thus guaranteeing continued access to raw water and flow of the downstream river. Campion Connect provided monitoring of the site which enabled the customer to monitor pump runs, volume of water pump, operational status of the system and remote access to engage /disengage the pump system.
Maintaining flow in the channel below the dam was vital for the health of the river Lee in order to sustain fish life and ensure raw water supply to the treatment plant and therefore unaffecting the 250,000 customers in the surrounding areas. Within a two-week period from conception to completion Campion successfully delivered a fully bespoke solution while adhering to stringent environmental, legal, health and safety regulations. As a result of their specialist engineering works at Inniscarra Dam, Campion and Irish Water won “Project of the Year” at the 2019 Pump Industry Awards which celebrates and rewards the very best within the industry.
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