Category: Blog

INTRODUCTION The selection of check valves in municipal water and wastewater treatment plants is often treated as an afterthought compared to the rigor applied to pump selection. However, the check valve is the primary defense against water hammer, reverse flow damage to rotating assemblies, and severe piping fatigue. When engineers evaluate Crane vs Henry Pratt […]

Introduction One of the most persistent challenges facing water and wastewater utility engineers is the management of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and the volatility of chemical supply chains. While gas chlorine remains a staple in legacy infrastructure, the industry has seen a massive shift toward liquid sodium hypochlorite due to safety concerns and risk management planning […]

Introduction In the design of municipal water treatment plants and industrial wastewater facilities, the butterfly valve is often treated as a commodity item. This assumption—that “a valve is just a valve”—is a primary driver of unexpected operational expenditure (OPEX) and premature system failure. Engineers frequently encounter scenarios where a valve specified for general isolation fails […]

Introduction In municipal water distribution and treatment plant design, the butterfly valve is often treated as a commodity specification—a “set and forget” component. However, statistical data from utility asset management plans suggests that valve failure during critical isolation events (such as main breaks) occurs in approximately 15-20% of aged assets. The cost of a seized […]

Solids Management in Wastewater Treatment: Strategies and Technologies Overview of Solids Management in Wastewater Treatment Did you know that nearly 80% of the solids generated in wastewater treatment plants end up in landfills? That's a staggering amount of waste that could be managed more effectively. Solids management is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a […]

Introduction In municipal water distribution and industrial fluid handling, the “valve selection paradox” is a frequent challenge for consulting engineers: the most expensive valve upfront is often the cheapest over 20 years, yet the wrong hydraulic application can destroy even the highest-quality equipment in weeks. A surprising statistic from hydraulic efficiency studies suggests that up […]

Introduction Ion exchange (IX) remains one of the most versatile and critical unit processes in water treatment, yet it is frequently the source of significant operational expenditure (OPEX) overruns due to improper specification. Engineers often face a dichotomy: simple softening applications are treated as commodities, leading to premature vessel failure or inefficient salt usage, while […]

Introduction The sudden urgency surrounding PFAS/PFOA compliance, combined with the perennial need for taste, odor, and organics removal, has placed Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) technology at the forefront of utility capital planning. For many consulting engineers and plant directors, the challenge is no longer just selecting a media type, but specifying the mechanical vessel systems […]

Introduction to Flow Control Selection In the complex landscape of municipal water and wastewater treatment design, the “Bill of Materials” (BOM) is often the battleground where reliability meets budget. One of the frequent evaluation points for mechanical engineers and plant superintendents is the selection of piping specialties and isolation devices. When analyzing Proco vs Bray […]

Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the electric actuator is often the single most critical interface between the control room (SCADA) and the physical process. Yet, despite their importance, actuators are frequently treated as commodity items or last-minute additions to valve specifications. This oversight often leads to a staggering statistic: industry analysis suggests […]