Water treatment plants are one of the most important municipal resources, but there are often several problems that compromise the safety and efficiency of these facilities. Because these facilities handle toxic waste, such issues can quickly become serious if left unaddressed. If you insure water treatment plants, you should be aware of these issues and their solutions. Many liabilities accompany water treatment plans, but some of them are avoidable. The following are the four most common problems faced in water treatment plants and what facility management can do to mitigate the issue.
Staff Training
One of the most pressing issues in water treatment plants is the prevalence of improper training amongst employees. Training is of the utmost importance when dealing with toxic waste and water treatment protocol, but too many staff members are hastily trained or not trained at all, and the results can be disastrous. It is absolutely imperative that staff members at water waste facilities be properly trained in the responsibilities of their duties. This means ongoing training and re-training to ensure competence even after the initial training for a new hire.
Bacterial Control
Yet another one of the most common problems in water treatment plants is the mismanagement of bacterial growth. Some bacteria are essential to the water treatment process, but if not carefully monitored and managed, bacteria can overgrow and impair operations. This is especially true of filamentous bacteria, which causes sludge bulking if left unaddressed. This is due to the sludge’s poor ability to settle and compact. The proliferation of filamentous bacteria is particularly dangerous because it can occur even at low temperatures, whereas most bacteria require a higher temperature in order to proliferate. Waste plant managers should be on the lookout for this type of bacteria.
Monitoring Records
Like any other municipal facility, wastewater treatment centers are required to keep records regarding operations. Like any other municipal facility, these records are often kept incorrectly or not at all. This can make it challenging to obtain water treatment insurance or manage the facility effectively. Water treatment insurance relies on documentation of certain liabilities, so if records are not accurately kept, a plant should be aware of the risk entailed. Keeping accurate records helps to minimize liabilities and keep the plant running smoothly.
Regular Maintenance
Too many waste plant managers make the mistake of neglecting regular maintenance that needs to be done. This includes maintenance of the infrastructure, system operation checks, and electromechanical maintenance. Each of these elements is equally important and helps to ensure that no issues with the system go unnoticed. It is the responsibility of the plant manager to maintain a checklist of regular maintenance items and keep up to date on the checklist.
About Watercolor Management
Watercolor Management has insured the water industry for over 30 years. Our policies include unlimited defense cost coverage in the event of a lawsuit against you. Call us at (855) 929-0824 or email info@watercolormanagement.com for a quick quote for your Water Business Professional, Products/Completed operations, Pollution and General Liability Insurance.