Xylem installs intelligent wastewater pumping system at DC Water’s plant

Xylem, a global water technology company, has installed Flygt Concertor, a wastewater pumping system with integrated intelligence for District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water).

DC Water provides drinking water and wastewater collection and treatment for residents in the District of Columbia, and also collects and treats wastewater for a population of 1.6 million in the counties of Montgomery and Prince George of Maryland, and the counties of Fairfax and Loudoun in Virginia.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimated that the country requires a minimum investment of $123bn every year in water infrastructure over the next decade.

To advance research and development in the area of smart water infrastructure and advanced data analytics in the sector, Xylem and DC Water signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future innovation initiatives.

The two firms also intend to accelerate innovation through field-driven pilots that focus on bolstering the productivity of managing water and wastewater and improving the sustainability of those operations.

Xylem president and CEO Patrick Decker said: “In the U.S., our water and wastewater infrastructure faces a daunting investment gap that places these critical systems at risk and leaves our communities vulnerable to the consequences of system failures.

 “We are so pleased to be able to partner with DC Water – a true industry leader – to address these challenges, leveraging technology to develop new, more sustainable solutions. Our Flygt Concertor is a great example of the type of break-through technology that we believe will fundamentally alter the way water and wastewater is managed. Working together, we will be able to bring those solutions to fruition even faster.”

DC Water CEO and general manager George Hawkins said: "At DC Water, we're always looking down the road for the next innovation that will help us do our job better, at less cost. This new technology accomplishes that and I'm excited about the implications not just for us, but for the industry as a whole.

“It's also an important demonstration of partnerships between the best elements of private sector innovation and public sector operational know-how, and I'm proud to be on the forefront of this effort."

Flygt Concertor wastewater technology has been installed at DC Water’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This intelligent, connected solution consumes less energy and reduces inventory needs, thereby ensuring reliable, clog-free wastewater pumping whilst minimising the total cost of ownership.

DC Water COO Biju George said: "DC Water is working on many innovations focused on leveraging digital technologies to maximize operation and maintenance efficiencies.

 “The Concertor pump will enable us to achieve this not only through the new capabilities of the pump itself but also with the embedded data for efficient asset management."