Mobile water supply:
Relief organisations rely on high-tech with membrane technology
Leipzig / Celle June 9, 2010 – When the regular drinking water supply is no longer provided, due to natural disasters or technical problems, for instance, mobile water treatment plants are applied by disaster control organisations all around the world – also in Germany. At the Interschutz trade show, the Berkefeld water technology company presents the TWA 15 UF, which is a new system that is fitted with the latest process technology and fulfils the high demands placed on drinking water treatment in Germany. Additionally, a so-called bladdertank, a flexible container, which is used for the storage or temporary storage of drinking water.
Mobile water treatment with ceramic membrane
The TWA 15 UF plant, which has been newly developed with the help of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW – Federal Agency for Technical Relief), has already proven its high per-formance in field operations. The plant was last used in the Wetterau region, to the north of Frankfurt, when, at the end of February, when the regular drinking water supply had to be temporarily closed down, which was due to microbiological contamination of the pipeline bound drinking water supply. Apparently, due to the heavy rainfall and snow melting, the near surface groundwater was contaminated to such an extent that the drinking water supply for around 1,200 residents had to be discontinued as a safety measure. A TWA 15 UF was transported to the site, set up and put into operation by the THW during the first night of outage. The plant produces 11,000 litres of clean drinking water per hour, which is first used to flush the pipeline network clean, then as a drinking water supply for human consumption. Thus, the plant provided a supply of clean drinking water for around five weeks, until an additional, stationary treatment could be performed with the aid of a UFlex ultrafiltration system in the local water treatment facility – also provided by Berkefeld, a subsidiary of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies.
The TWA 15 UF mobile water treatment plant that was temporarily applied is con-structed in a modular design, so that is can be easily adapted to suit the given quality of the untreated water by an appropriate combination of the respectively required process steps. Depending on the combination of the modules, the system provides between 5 and 15 cubic metres of clean water per hour. The plant is not only designed for use around the world, but also fulfils the strict KTW / DVGW – W 270 regulations, thus, it is also approved for use in the drinking water supply in Germany. The plant is equipped with multiple germ barriers. The core piece is a newly developed ceramic ultrafiltration membrane. It is designed as a monolith block and is, thus, particularly robust. In addition to this membrane process, the overall system includes, among other things, pre-filtration with disc filters, flocculation and adsorption, disinfection with UV light, depot chlorination, as well as drinking water storage and distribution. The plant fits in the freight hold of practically any common airliner and can be easily loaded onto and transported by lorry.
Safe storage of drinking water in bladdertanks
In addition to the treatment, the correct storage and distribution also play an impor-tant part in water supply in cases of crisis. The so-called bladdertanks, which Berkefeld presents at the Interschutz, are suitable for correct storage or temporary storage of untreated water or drinking water. The tanks hold between 0.5 m³ and 20 m³, and, if required, are also available in other sizes up to 150 m³. The particular advantage: These closed foil tanks are equipped with special zips, which facilitate easy opening and cleaning of the containers. This enables the hygienically safe storage of the treated water.
The mobile, collapsible containers can be used anywhere, even in uneven terrain. The containers can be safely fastened down on lorries or trailers with the aid of suitable clamping gear. Due to the fact that the Berkefeld bladdertanks are in accordance with the German KTW regulations, they are approved for use in the drinking water supply in Germany.
Corporate Profile:
Berkefeld is part of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies, a subsidiary of Veolia Water, which is a leading design & build company and a specialized provider of technological solutions in water treatment. With over 9,500 employees in 57 countries, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies recorded revenue of €2.5 billion Euros in 2009.
Veolia Water, the water division of Veolia Environnement, is the world leader in water and wastewater services. Specialized in outsourcing services for municipal authorities, as well as industrial and service companies, Veolia Water provides water service to 95 million people and wastewater service to 66 million. With 95,789 employees in 66 countries, its 2009 revenue amounted to €12.5 billion.
BERKEFELD / VWS Deutschland GmbH
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies
Stefan Jakubik, Marketing & Communication
Lückenweg 5, 29227 Celle, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 5141 803 – 174
Fax: +49 (0) 5141 803 – 8174
Mobile: +49 (0) 151 1255 9226
stefan.jakubik@veoliawater.com
www.krueger-wabag.de
