Project: Full Repair & Maintenance
At Hoodridge Industrial Automation, we take pride in delivering high-impact technical solutions that keep critical infrastructure running safely and efficiently. Our recent work at the Breezes Water Treatment Plant in Kariba is a strong example of that commitment.
Scope of Work
The project involved a comprehensive maintenance and system overhaul of key components within the Breezes municipal water treatment facility. Our mandate included:
- Inspection and servicing of electrical panels and instrumentation
- Replacement of worn-out mechanical actuators and drive components
- Troubleshooting and repair of the traveling bridge backwash filter system
- Calibration and testing of automated control functions
Our team worked alongside plant personnel to minimize downtime and ensure a quick, smooth return to full operation — with enhanced reliability and reduced manual intervention.
Understanding the Traveling Bridge Backwash Filter System
A core component of the treatment process at Breezes is the traveling bridge backwash filter system, a self-cleaning filtration setup designed for continuous water flow and automated debris removal.
How it works:
Raw water from Lake Kariba is pumped into a large sedimentation basin or reservoir, which contains multiple filtration zones.
Each zone consists of a bed of sand or other granular media layered at the bottom. As the water flows down through these sand beds, suspended particles such as silt, organic matter, and other impurities are physically trapped in the spaces between the sand grains. This process is known as gravity filtration.
To improve filtration efficiency, the reservoir is typically divided into multiple cells, allowing for independent operation and maintenance of each section — including automated backwashing using systems like the traveling bridge.
- Filtered water flows through a bed of filter media (e.g., sand or anthracite) to trap suspended solids.
- Over time, solids accumulate, increasing pressure drop across the filter.
- A traveling bridge (a mobile mechanical gantry) moves along the top of the filter basin.
- When triggered, it performs a backwash cycle:
A vacuum or pump system pulls water in reverse through the media bed.
The dirty water is collected and discharged through a waste line.
- The bridge moves from cell to cell, cleaning each zone independently without halting filtration in the rest of the system.
This design allows for efficient, automated cleaning of large filter beds, making it ideal for municipal-scale water treatment plants.
Outcome
Following our overhaul, the Breezes plant has seen:
Reduced filter blockages and backwash cycle time.
Improved reliability of the bridge system and controls.
More consistent treated water output with fewer manual interventions.
We remain committed to supporting local infrastructure with intelligent, field-proven automation and maintenance solutions.
Need maintenance or upgrades at your water treatment facility?
Let’s work together to deliver cleaner, more reliable water systems — powered by automation.
