91福利

The implementation of WOODAP was suddenly requested when the direction of an existing project had already been decided.

Saeki The renovation project for the Aoki Water Treatment Plant had just been launched and I was about to begin preparing a full design for our proposal when I was asked if it was possible to implement WOODAP at the Aoki Water Treatment Plant. As a matter of course, the concepts for the facilities were already decided upon and it was not possible to make changes to the overall schedule for the project. At that stage, what I could do? Honestly, I was perplexed. I also had to coordinate together with the standardization working group which had been launched at the Sewage Technology Department. I thought, however, that there was room for consideration of the matter because I had just been exploring in details on how facilities were supposed to be formed based on the perspective of operation management. Facilities that can be easily managed by site staff, are easy to operate, and are easier to recover even during unexpected circumstances. With these perspectives in mind, I decided to re-examine the construction of the facilities.

Machida I was perplexed at first, too. However, I knew that the Aoki Water Treatment Plant was damaged by a flood in 2004. And, looking back on the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, I keenly felt that there was a need for facilities to maintain water treatment functions during times of disaster so as to maintain citizens’ lives. I wanted to be of service for that purpose. We enabled monitoring at the water treatment plant in Mitsuke City (our client) and at the divisions involved in design and construction with the aim of establishing a system that allows for information sharing to take place, and thereby ensure that immediate responses can be undertaken during times of disaster.

Reduction/optimization of facilities and equipment set the course for quick recovery

Saeki We did not want to be restrictive when it came to all the details of the facilities. Rather, we focused on their flexibility in an emergency. Accordingly, we tried to identify ideas that we could apply to make better use of each piece of equipment based on parameters used in water treatment plants. For example, the number of spare pumps located in each place was cut in half after examining if they were all really needed, if it would be more efficient to just replace the pumps that have become defective (since it also reduces stock), and whether replacement would be easier if part numbers could be unified.

Machida Also, for the emergency off-grid power system, we investigated the electric capacity required for water treatment during disasters and normal power outages. We were able to reduce the electric capacity as a result. Regarding the fuel used to operate the system, we created a framework that allows us to procure fuel stored at maintenance and management companies in emergencies, in addition to the fuel stored in the storage tank of the water treatment plant. Additionally, when it came to the bypass piping used in maintenance, we thought it would be possible to reduce the number of items to the minimum number needed if the schedule allowed for it, which we reflected upon the design. I think the fact that we could spare some margin in terms of facility management by reducing the number of spare pieces of equipment stored at the site and by improving energy saving, is what constitutes the fruit yield by WOODAP.

Saeki Revision of the unit configuration for the ceramic membrane filtration system also created a significant benefit in terms of cost. We did not just reduce the number of pieces of equipment. We also configured appropriate sizes. For example, the sizes of tanks used for the storing of chemicals are set up to match the capacity of the incoming tanker trucks. This is something we did while paying attention to requested capacities so that there would be no waste occurring in terms of delivery and supply. As we repeat such reductions and optimization of equipment and materials, I think we can set a promising course for quick recovery and, at the same time, can contribute to reducing environmental burdens.

WOODAP is the compass for the future of social infrastructure

Machida Our mission is to supply great quality water in a stable manner at all times. In addition to regularly providing maintenance and inspection for instruments to manage water quality, we created the framework used for procuring fuel in times of disaster with the aim of achieving stable supply and swift recovery. In May, when a month had passed after the operation started, we received an application for a plant tour. I have heard that there have been a lot of requests received thereafter for tours by elementary schools and other entities. I also received pleasing feedback from local restaurants saying that their water tastes better than before. I want to expand manageable facilities which possess great levels of flexibility in terms of disaster responses based on the experience I have earned through this project and based on the achievements that would not have been possible without the implementation of WOODAP.

Saeki What we used to take for granted will have greater flexibility if we exercise our ingenuity. More efficient alternatives enable us to reduce numbers or downsize equipment. One example is modern cars, which do not require spare tires thanks to the advancement of tires and repair materials, resulting in reduced weight, and thereby improved fuel efficiency. We will be estimating what the population will look like in five or ten years from now, foresee the required quantity of water, and construct water treatment plants accordingly. For the challenges arising along the way, I think WOODAP will serve as a compass both inside and outside the company which will help us explore with flexibility what kind of operation and management we can or should provide and reflect that upon our design process.