Water Utilities

Engineered Efficiency provides comprehensive engineering, hydraulic modelling, and mechanical design services for regional and metropolitan water utilities. As trusted partners and incumbent engineers for major water providers, we specialise in optimising potable and recycled water networks, reducing operational costs through energy-efficient pump upgrades, and future-proofing critical infrastructure. From dynamic 30-year network master plans to custom water treatment systems, we deliver reliable, compliant, and cost-effective solutions for large-scale water delivery.

Our capabilities & skills:

Engineered Efficiency offers a specialised suite of engineering, design, and project delivery services tailored to water utilities and large-scale network operators:

  • Hydraulic Modelling & Network Planning: Dynamic network modelling (using WaterCAD), system pressure/flow analysis, and 30-year capacity planning accounting for climate change and population growth.

  • Pump & Mechanical Engineering: Pump set selection, parallel pump modelling, variable speed drive (VSD) optimisation, and NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) checks to prevent cavitation and vibration.

  • Energy Efficiency & Optimisation: Strategic motor upgrades, dynamic delivery head control, and friction loss reduction resulting in proven energy savings of up to 40%.

  • Water Treatment & Process Engineering: Custom water treatment skid design, pH and free chlorine analysis circuits, automated chemical dosing, and PLC integration.

  • Infrastructure Analysis: Field surveys, historical logged data analysis, and capacity testing for both potable and recycled water networks.

Water Utilities Case Studies

Case Study 1: Town of Port Hedland – Irrigation Water Supply & Future Delivery Assessment

Engineered Efficiency was engaged by the Town of Port Hedland to survey and assess the current and future capacity of irrigation water infrastructure. The town's irrigation water for approximately 30 sites is sourced from two separate systems: a recycled water system from the WWTP and sites connected to the potable water system.

Investigations & Solutions Completed:

  • Infrastructure Auditing: Conducted comprehensive on-site reviews of existing infrastructure (tanks, pumps, and flows) alongside the analysis of historical logged data.

  • Capacity Modelling: Modelled all 30 sites in WaterCAD across both the recycled and drinking water networks to test existing capacities and identify bottlenecks.

  • Network Optimisation: Identified that recycled water inflows were insufficient due to upstream demand. Proposed cost-effective solutions, including installing network shortcuts for recycled water and larger line sizes for the potable network, successfully verified by the model.

  • Future-Proofing: Tested irrigation sites against a 15-year projection of increased irrigation demands, climate change impacts, and population growth, providing a validated upgrade roadmap to secure future water delivery.

Case Study 2: Busselton Water – Hydraulic Engineering and 30-Year Network Model

Engineered Efficiency proudly serves as the incumbent hydraulic engineers for Busselton Water, the primary potable water provider for the greater Busselton region.

Investigations & Solutions Completed:

  • Dynamic Network Model: Developed a comprehensive, dynamic hydraulic network model (using WaterCAD) covering the entire potable water network—from four water treatment plants right through to customer meters and the export line to the Water Corporation’s Dunsborough-Yallingup network.

  • Flow & Pressure Analysis: Analysed system pressure and flow variations occurring daily and seasonally to guarantee reliable delivery conditions for all consumers.

  • 30-Year Master Plan: Utilised the model to develop a 30-year capital works and capacity plan. This strategic roadmap details required mains upgrades, water treatment capacity requirements, capital cost estimates, and schedules to accommodate long-term regional population growth.

Case Study 3: Busselton Water – Pump Upgrades & Energy Optimisation

As part of our ongoing work with Busselton Water, Engineered Efficiency delivered a series of mechanical upgrades and pump set selections across multiple water treatment plants with a strict focus on energy efficiency and operational cost reduction.

Investigations & Solutions Completed:

  • High-ROI Motor Upgrades: Modified control points on variable speed drives (VSD) and upgraded existing pump motors to eliminate system throttling, achieving a ~40% reduction in energy consumption without the need for entirely new, expensive pump replacements.

  • Parallel Pump Set Delivery: Modelled parallel pump sets in WaterCAD and Excel to optimise operating zones. This careful selection process prevented cavitation and vibration, reducing maintenance costs and avoiding breakdowns.

  • Dynamic Control Philosophy: Analysed the impact of dynamically controlling delivery heads and transitioning bore pumps from fixed speed to variable speed operation. We issued a comprehensive control philosophy that maintains aquifer levels, limits water loss, and is projected to save ~40% annually in energy costs.

Case Study 4: Defence Base – Custom Water Treatment Skid

Engineered Efficiency successfully designed and constructed a specialised water treatment system for the chlorination of process water to be used in training scenarios at a prominent Defence Base.

Investigations & Solutions Completed:

  • Process Design & Construction: Delivered an end-to-end design and construct (D&C) solution, providing project management, mechanical design, and cost estimation.

  • Advanced Control & Instrumentation: Integrated recirculation pumps alongside an analysis circuit consisting of pH and Free Chlorine sensors.

  • Automated Dosing: Designed chlorine and acid dosing pumps with precise injection points, all managed by a dedicated PLC integrated seamlessly with the site's existing control systems.