8 Core Steps to Start a Water Plant: A Practical Checklist from Preparation to Operation

Step 1: Demand Research and Goal Confirmation (Core of Preliminary Preparation)

• Core Task: Clarify the total regional water resources, raw water quality (e.g., pollutant types, hardness), total water consumption of permanent residents/enterprises, water demand growth forecast for the next 5-10 years, and define the water supply coverage area and water quality compliance standards (e.g., National Standard for Drinking Water Quality GB 5749-2022).

• Key Actions: Collaborate with water resources and environmental protection departments to obtain water source data; visit end-users to identify pain points in water demand (e.g., addressing microbial contamination in rural areas, reducing TDS levels for industrial use); and compile a Demand Research Report.

Step 2: Feasibility Analysis and Approval for Project Initiation

• Core Task: Demonstrate the project feasibility from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives, and complete the project initiation approval from government departments.

• Key Actions:

a. Technical Feasibility: Determine the suitable treatment process (e.g., conventional treatment for surface water, iron and manganese removal process for groundwater);

b. Economic Feasibility: Calculate the total investment, operating costs (water, electricity, labor), charging standards, and investment return cycle;

c. Environmental Feasibility: Compile an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and obtain approval from environmental protection departments;

d. Project Registration and Approval: Submit the project application to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and water resources departments to obtain the Water Intake Permit and Project Initiation Approval Document.

Step 3: Plant Site Selection and Planning Approval

• Core Task: Select a site that meets the requirements and complete the land use planning approval.

• Key Actions:

a. Site Selection Requirements: Avoid geological disaster-prone areas and water source protection zones; choose locations close to water sources and water-consuming concentrated areas with convenient transportation and power supply;

b. Land Use Approval: Apply to natural resources departments for the Construction Land Planning Permit and State-owned Land Use Certificate to ensure the land use nature complies with planning regulations.

Step 4: Process Design and Drawing Compilation

• Core Task: Customize the water treatment process and complete the full set of design drawings for the plant.

• Key Actions:

a. Process Design: Develop a treatment process based on raw water quality (e.g., "Coagulation → Sedimentation → Filtration → Disinfection → Advanced Treatment"); determine equipment models (e.g., chemical dosing devices, filter tanks, disinfection equipment);

b. Drawing Compilation: Draw the overall plant layout plan, process flow diagram, pipeline layout diagram, and civil structure diagram; compile supporting documents including the Design Specification and Project Budget; and obtain drawing approval from housing and urban-rural development departments.

Step 5: Equipment Procurement and Construction Bidding

• Core Task: Select qualified suppliers and construction units, and sign contracts to clarify responsibilities.

• Key Actions:

a. Equipment Procurement: Select qualified suppliers through bidding; focus on verifying equipment parameters (e.g., treatment capacity, energy consumption, compliance capability); sign contracts covering installation, commissioning, and after-sales services;

b. Construction Bidding: Conduct open bidding to select construction units with water conservancy engineering qualifications; clarify the construction period, quality standards, and safety requirements; and sign the Construction Contract for Engineering Projects.

Step 6: On-site Construction and Equipment Installation & Commissioning

• Core Task: Complete civil construction and equipment installation to ensure the system operates normally.

• Key Actions:

a. Civil Construction: Level the site, pour structures (e.g., sedimentation tanks, clear water tanks), and construct auxiliary buildings (e.g., office buildings, machine repair workshops); a supervision unit shall supervise the quality throughout the process;

b. Equipment Installation: Precisely install water treatment equipment, pipelines, and electrical systems in accordance with the drawings; complete single-machine commissioning (e.g., pump test operation);

c. System Joint Commissioning: Simulate actual operating conditions to test the full-process treatment effect; adjust process parameters (e.g., chemical dosage, filtration rate); and ensure the effluent meets standards.

Step 7: Completion Acceptance and Qualification Application

• Core Task: Pass the joint acceptance by multiple departments and obtain all qualifications required for operation.

• Key Actions:

a. Compilation of Completion Data: Compile a full set of documents including construction archives, commissioning reports, and water quality test reports;

b. Joint Acceptance: Invite environmental protection, water resources, housing and urban-rural development, and market supervision departments to conduct acceptance; rectify non-compliant items;

c. Qualification Application: Obtain the Hygiene License, Water Supply Enterprise Qualification Certificate, and Work Safety Permit; complete industrial and commercial registration and tax registration.

Step 8: Trial Operation and Formal Operation

• Core Task: Transition to regular operation and establish a long-term management mechanism.

• Key Actions:

a. Trial Operation: Last for 1-3 months; monitor water quality stability, equipment failure rate, and energy consumption level; optimize the operation plan;

b. Daily Operation:

▪ Water Quality Monitoring: Real-time detection of key indicators of raw water, intermediate water, and finished water (e.g., residual chlorine, turbidity, total bacterial count);

▪ Equipment Maintenance: Conduct daily inspections and regular maintenance as planned (e.g., filter backwashing, pipeline rust removal);

▪ Safety Management: Implement certificate-based employment for staff and emergency drills (e.g., response to power outages, abnormal water quality);

a. Continuous Optimization: Adjust process parameters based on operation data; introduce intelligent monitoring systems (e.g., IoT sensors, remote control) to improve efficiency.