Safety and Health Considerations In Water Treatment Plants: Protecting People And The Environment
This Safety & Health at Work Day we shine a light on water treatment plant staff. They work hard to provide us with healthy drinking water and protect people and the environment from our effluent. How often do we consider the risks they face in doing so?
The water treatment industry is the unsung hero of modern public health. Thanks to the development and maintenance of effective sewerage systems, the UK has made tremendous strides in improving hygiene, preventing disease, and protecting the environment. In the 1980s, raw sewage discharges and poorly maintained treatment systems posed significant risks to both people and ecosystems. Today, the situation is dramatically improved. According to recent data, more sewage is now being treated, and to higher standards than ever, with advanced systems removing BOD pollutants, while recovering green energy and soil nutrients - a level of environmental care and public safety that simply wasn't possible forty years ago.
While these improvements have greatly benefited the public, they are often taken for granted. Clean water from the tap and safe disposal of waste are daily conveniences that most people never have to think about. But behind these invisible luxuries is a workforce that operates 24/7, often in challenging conditions, to ensure that UK water systems continue to function safely and reliably.
The Hidden Risks Faced By Water Treatment Workers
Working in sewage treatment plants is not without its hazards. Employees are exposed to a range of potential risks, including:
- Biological Hazards: Workers can come into contact with harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites found in untreated wastewater. Diseases such as leptospirosis and hepatitis A are risks without proper protection.
- Chemical Exposure: Many treatment processes involve the use of strong chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, which can be toxic or corrosive when in their concentrated form.
- Confined Spaces: Tanks, pits, and other enclosed areas pose risks of suffocation, gas buildup, or physical entrapment.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet surfaces, sub-surface and high-level infrastructure, and heavy equipment increase the risk of accidents on-site.
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Noise and Mechanical Hazards: Pumps, valves, and other machinery can produce high noise levels and moving parts that require careful operation and guarding. Pressure-containing vessels and pipework can present risks of explosion, implosion or pipe-whipping if not operated and maintained correctly.
To address these risks - and many more besides - rigorous safety protocols are in place across the industry. Workers are trained in hazard identification, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and follow strict Safe Systems of Work for chemical handling and confined space entry. Regular health and safety inspections, risk assessments, and emergency response drills are standard practice. Many sites now also integrate automation and remote monitoring, reducing the need for direct human access to the most hazardous areas.
Mitigation And Control
Workplace H&S revolves around identifying hazards, weighing up the risk, and introducing controls to lower the risk factor. Here are some examples of how water companies have reduced work injury and on-ste health risks, based on projects Atlantic Pumps have been involved with:
Reduce Manual Handling And Lifting Hazards
- Pumps require periodic inspection and maintenance, but using pumps designed for longer MTBM (Mean Time Between Maintenance) reduces incident likelihood. Pumps and impellers built for their duty - grit and abrasive sludges or chemical dosing - typically outlast clean-water models by five times or more.
- Heavy pumps require mechanical lifting aids, and these require training, inspections, and regular maintenance. Atlantic Pumps can supply split-case centrifugal pumps on a sliding base, negating the need for lifting tackle.
- The Toro-Krona progressive cavity pump has been developed to reduce blockage and part replacement interventions in wastewater and AD processes, and to facilitate inspection and servicing.
Reduce Exposure To Chemical And Bio-Hazards
- Leak-proof pumps are used for containing chemical and bio-hazardous fluids. Some pumps are inherently self-sealing/leak-free, whilst precision mechanical seals are used on centrifugal pump shafts to stop leaks. A double seal and moisture sensor can alert staff to a pending leak, allowing planned replacement.
Reduce The Need For High-Risk Access
- Automation, remote operation, and live online data monitoring reduce the need for confined space access, lone worker tasks, and work at height, or over water. Senteos, EnviroHub and other platforms offer solutions for this approach.
Equipment And Process-Specific Training
- As pump experts, Atlantic Pumps offer online, onsite and offsite training in pump operation and maintenance. This helps ensure that water treatment staff know how to approach their daily pump maintenance safely and efficiently.
An Unseen But Critical Contribution
The safety of the public and the protection of our environment wouldn't be possible without the dedicated employees of our water and sewerage companies. From plant operators and engineers to field technicians and safety inspectors, these professionals work around the clock to keep vital systems running smoothly. Their commitment not only ensures that our waste is safely managed—it safeguards entire communities from outbreaks of disease and environmental degradation.
So, the next time you turn on the tap or flush the toilet without a second thought, spare a moment to appreciate the people behind the scenes. To everyone working in the water treatment sector: thank you for your vital service in protecting our health and the world we live in.
