Opportunity
This is to ensure that the station and surrounding network continue to work efficiently alongside the new automated controls governing the operation of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Standard pump output testing was not plausible given site constraints, safety issues and the costs of manual data retrieval. A hydraulic modelling solution was needed.
Solution
It will be critical to accurately record, understand and replicate the manual operation of the station during a range of rainfall and tidal conditions. The updated model can then be used to assess the impact on top water levels, spill frequency, pump operation and flow rates to help optimise the Tideway connection point. We are using our Moata software to collate, interpret and assess all operational and survey information, and our modellers will undertake continuous verification of model simulation runs using the flow survey data.
Outcome
We have identified a number of improvements that can be made to the modelled configuration of the pumping station and early sensitivity analysis has helped prioritise the location of long-term data collection to support continuous model calibration. This enhanced model and understanding of the sewer network will help guide future recommendations on the interaction and automatic control regime for the Tideway connection.