THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
WATER PAGES
infrastructure that underpins them. Thus, utilities can make better decisions because they have real-time information about what is happening in the infrastructures. Other branches of AI, which are also being applied to water, are voice and vision recognition systems, expert systems, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and robots. Finally, 5G is not just another new generation of communication; instead it opens up radically new business opportunities that were not previously possible. Water utilities globally are transforming their processes as a means to achieve greater water and energy efficiency. This journey includes securely leveraging the value of data obtained from sensors in order to make better decisions.
Thanks to its low latency and its ability to connect millions of devices, 5G is set to become a key ally for utilities. Moreover, against a background of increased transparency, this technology will help to liberate and democratize data, making it more accessible. The range of available technologies will benefit all water utilities, regardless of their degree of digital transformation. The six technologies that Idrica defines, explains and reflects on in the recently published report “Water Technology Trends 2022: redefining the utilities of the future” are some of the must-have tools for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. The digital transformation of processes is no longer an option; it is
simply the road to follow in order to offer a quality service as demanded by 21st century citizens. Climate change and water scarcity, which already affects 40% of the population, are challenges that need to be addressed urgently. In 2022, and over the next few years, utilities will continue to optimize their management thanks to these technology trends, among other developments. The future depends on digital transformation. However, this should not be conceived as an end in itself, but as a way of extracting value from data and converting information into business intelligence. This is the only way we will be able to tackle the challenges of the coming decades, Idrica concludes.
Industrial sites must fulfil water protection obligations
With public attention on corporate environmental activities, there is particular pressure on industrial companies to limit their impact on local water environment, says Adam Parmenter, industrial sales manager at WPL. This means robust wastewater treatment has never been more vital.
Scrutiny of the water sector’s environmental performance has intensified over the past two years, catalysed in part by a heightened public appreciation of nature and outdoor spaces. As such, there is mounting pressure on utilities to improve their wastewater treatment systems and meet progressively higher standards set by regulators.
A major investigation into management of wastewater treatment works in England was announced by the Environment Agency and Ofwat in November 2021, at the same time as a new Environment Act became law. These measures remove any doubt that the expectations being placed on the sector are immense. Industrial and manufacturing businesses that treat their wastewater onsite and discharge to a public sewer may find this trend is reflected in tighter trade effluent
FOLLOW US standards set by water companies.
Centralised treatment plants are already seeking to accommodate multiple challenges, including growing populations, climate change and new pollutants emerging in the environment, which could push utilities to place tighter restrictions on industrial discharges to the sewer network. Having the correct treatment process in place is essential if industrial sites are to operate within the conditions of their trade effluent permits, avoid high tankering costs and minimise the risk of fines, penalties and prosecutions.
Precise water quality parameters vary from site to site, but all trade effluent permits include a set measurement for chemical oxygen demand (COD), an indicator of the amount of oxygen required to break down pollutants in water. COD determines the effect treated effluent will have on the receiving watercourse – and the number needs to be as low as possible.
Once companies have removed as much COD as possible using screening and solid removal processes, they may find they still need to reduce the levels
Adam Parmenter
of organics further to comply with regulations. This is where biological treatment comes into play.
Biological wastewater processing technologies such as WPL’s Hybrid- SAF are effective in reducing COD to the levels set by water companies, however stringent. They can also meet environmental requirements on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia.
The modular onsite treatment units are built offsite in a controlled environment. Easily installed, they can also be retrofitted into existing plants. Additional stages can be added to the process train to remove pollutants such as phosphorous where required by a
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