Briefing Note
Date: 28 May 2014
Improvements to Northmoor pumping station
History
Northmoor pumping station, situated at the end of Northmoor Main Drain, is owned and operated by the Environment Agency and operates to keep a desired water level in the Northmoor Main Drain. In 1996 two electric submersible pumps with automatic controls were added, in addition to the two existing diesel engines which drive two of the pumps. Output for each pump is one tonne per second, making a total output of four tonnes per second.
The two diesel engines date back to,1942 when the pumping station was built to replace an existing steam driven pump. They have been consistently maintained, but these days spare parts are no longer commercially available and we have used up all the second-hand parts recovered from obsolete engines removed from other pumping stations. If a major mechanical failure occurred during a flood, the engines could not be economically repaired within a suitable time frame. The engine exhausts are also noisy.
What’s changing?
We are going to replace both the diesel engines, which drive two of the pumps, with new electric motors, reduction gearboxes (which reduce the rotational speed of the electric motor to the correct rotational speed needed by the pump) and control panels. We will use the existing pumps, pipe work and valves as they are all still in good condition.
Why will this be better?
This will enable the pumps to operate more reliably without needing to be attended round-the-clock when they are running. The motors will not produce any exhaust noise, will be easier to maintain and the availability of new parts means that repairs can be undertaken quickly. They will be cheaper to operate and maintain, will reduce our carbon footprint, and offer improved health and safety. We will no longer need to store large volumes of diesel on site, removing the risk of leakages and theft.
When will this happen?
The components are on order and about to be delivered. We intend removing the old diesel engines during May/June, with a completion date of mid August 2014. The work will be carried out by our contractors, Nomenca, who have worked for us for the last six years.
What are the risks?
Whilst we are removing the two diesel engines and installing the new electric motors, two of the pumps will be unable to operate. During that period we will ensure that appropriate temporary portable pumps are available for use at Northmoor should they be needed.
What future improvements are planned for the site?
The above work is needed and able to be done quickly and funding is currently available.
We are also looking at repairing the discharge culvert from the pumping station and installing a permanent hard standing making it easier and quicker to install temporary pumps in the future.
We know that the local community would like to see improvements to the pumping capacity at Northmoor. Although funding is not currently available, we are considering how we would achieve this if partnership funding became available. The hydraulic modelling being carried out as part of the Somerset Levels and Moors 20 year plan will also help inform our future plans for the pumping station.