Water and Effluent Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/733176
18 WET NEWS OCTOBER 2016 INSIGHT Water treatment The filtration units can be deployed quickly in the event of a specific problem no matter how remote the site. W ater for drinking purposes has become a very valuable resource. Ground water sources have therefore become the norm for the supply of drinking water but are oen variable in quality as they are influenced by adverse environmental conditions. Worsening conditions, such as the increase in sporadic and flash flooding, is resulting in heavy contamination of ground water due to sewer overflows and agricultural run-offs. Water utility companies are bound by legislation to provide homes with water that is considered 'wholesome' for drinking, cooking and washing. This means that water must not contain any micro-organisms or a concentration of substances that may be potentially dangerous to human health. Breaches of limits in turbidity can ultimately result in a bottled water notices being imposed. Aesthetically, on the surface nobody likes the look of murky water. However, it is what lies within the water that is far more alarming. Such an increase of sus- pended solids in ground water helps the attachment of toxic organic compounds such as metals, pesticides and disease- causing microorganisms and parasites. One such parasite, Crypto- sporidium, is reported to be the most important new contami- nant of which water utility com- panies need to take control. Commonly known as "Crypto", this nasty parasite causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporid- iosis. There are many species of Cryptosporidium that infect animals, some of which also infect humans. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. The parasite is commonly spread by drinking and recreational water. The risk from Crypto is recognised not only by water utilities but by food and beverage producers alike. With outbreaks of this para- site reported in the domestic water system as recently as the summer of 2015 in areas of northern England, it is essen- tial to eliminate the turbidity of water in order to effectively disinfect it with UV for drinking purposes. Cryptosporidium is reportedly the most important new contaminant that water companies need to get to grips with. The challenge: Getting to the source of drinking water contamination • All components are installed inside a standard container for easy mobility between installation sites THE CONCEPT • The water filtration containers are designed for filtering water from various sources to potable water quality • The containers feature Amiad AMF microfibre water filtration technology • The plant can be operated from a locally generated energy source if required • The AMF can be configured as a duty / slave / multi-slave THE VERDICT • Packages can be containerised quite easily incorporating pre-filtration as well as integrated backwash systems. Turbidity and flow measurement can be incorporated, meaning the filtration units can be deployed quickly in the event of a specific problem no matter how remote the site. NEED TO KNOW 1 An increase of suspended solids in ground water helps the attachment of toxic organic compounds 2 Breaches of limits in turbidity can ultimately result in a bottled water notices being imposed 3 There are many species of Cryptosporidium that infect animals, some of which also infect humans 4 The Crypto parasite is commonly spread by drinking and recreational water