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Tamar traveled to Marcala Monday 12.08 and Tuesday 12.09 to check up on plant performance there. I worked with Oscar, the plant operator who has been working at the plant longest. In Marcala they use a valve to administer the chlorine, different than the other AguaClara plants that use a CCC. Since the level in the chlorine stock tank changes significantly, (the tank holds 1,100L) the chlorine dose changes as well. On the data sheets Oscar is only recording yes/no if he is applying chlorine. ADEC is monitoring the chlorine levels, and they vary from 0.1mg/L to 2.5mg/L, which is expected when there is no instrument to ensure constant flow of chlorine. Additionally, the chlorine flows through 3 elbows which are not stable and also contribute to varying levels of chlorine being applied.
Another problem in Marcala is that sometimes the Municipality is late with buying chlorine, and ADEC claims they are buying very old chlorine stock at a discounted price. Nonetheless, the plant is performing well with turbidity results. The turbidity was entering the plant at 12NTU and leaving at under 2NTU while I was there.
In January we hope to define a better working relationship with ADEC, APP and Cornell. We currently feel that although Fred constantly extends the invitation to work at Marcala, we would like to be clear with ADEC that we are available for capacitation help with the operators, and if we will be working at the plant in an educational context to explain that as well.
Flow Control Modules
As suggested by Scott, Antonio rotated the float 180 degrees in the Ojojona and Tamara flow control modules. We will monitor these modules over the next weeks to see whether they clog less than they did previously.
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