ALECTIA has made a complete redimensioning of the pumping equipment and condition assessment of wells and raw water treatment systems at a number of well fields. The redimensioning is done with a dynamic well field model that has been developed by among others ALECTIA. Experiences show that it will normally be possible to realize energy savings of 20 %.

The different elements of the well field (ground water storage tank, pumps, pipes, screening, water quality, etc.) are not fixed entities, but are subject to changes due to the wear and tear of operations, sediments, congestions, drawdown of the groundwater table, etc.  

The individual elements of the well field are furthermore interconnected and constitute a coherent sequence of dynamic units. The pump performance of each well depends on the head, which in its turn depends on the number of other wells in operation (loss of pressure in the distribution system), the hydrological conditions, the efficiency of the well, etc.

Even though the well fields were designed optimally from the start, it is still possible to realize a considerable improvement by applying the well field model. Model calculations show that the energy consumption can normally be reduced by 20 % without affecting water quality or resources. In some cases, the saving potential has been as high as 40 %.

The advantage is realized by using pumping equipment with optimal efficiency in all operational situations, and by adapting the intersection for the on/off switching of the pumps, or by changing to harmonic water catchment using frequency-controlled raw water pumps to enable optimal adjustment of the pumping capacity.