Italy

Treating previously inaccessible water sources that have been contaminated by certain microorganisms and seawater

Challenge

Some freshwater sources can no longer be used

This can be due to contamination and the water source being too far away to rely on existing water treatment plants.

Overexploited and now abandoned wells in the Puglia region of Italy present this challenge. They have been contaminated with seawater and certain microorganisms, but are too remote to be treated by existing water treatment plants.

Project Ô has developed the ADV.ERT module to clean contaminated groundwater in a historic well, restoring this valuable resource

This module is designed to be moved around and can be installed easily in remote areas that are far from existing water treatment plants.

The module’s two technologies remove harmful bacteria and excess salt from the water. They also reduce potentially harmful levels of pesticides and pharmaceuticals that could be present in the water, making it clean and safe for essential human needs such as drinking and farming.

Project Ô has developed a Decision Analytic Platform (DAP) to assist in water planning activities

DAP is designed to aid management of water resources for local water management companies, like Acquedotto Pugliese (AQP) in the Puglia region.

It will follow a circular water economy approach by integrating water reuse technologies into existing practices. This will include assessing how to provide the most reliable water supply for users by considering current conditions.

Background

In southern Italy, over 200 wells dotted across the countryside have helped to sustain the Puglia region for years

Over time, though, these wells have become contaminated with seawater and harmful bacteria, and they are located too far away to rely on existing water treatment plants.

As a result, the Puglia region has been forced to import freshwater from other locations to meet local needs. This is an unsustainable and costly short-term solution to a long-term challenge.

Historically, water use has been linear, with water extracted
from one area, used and then discharged elsewhere

Project Ô has developed ADV.ERT technology to purify the water, making water from the well suitable for use again. Using DAP will allow decision-makers, like AQP, to consider the current and future sustainability of the local water supply.
Reuse and water efficiency are key priorities for the Puglia region. While having water from an alternative local source would reduce the pressure of demand on the local aqueduct.

Circular Water Economy

With Project Ô’s water treatment technologies, wells across the Puglia region can again be used as a sustainable source of freshwater, requiring less dependence on water from sources outside the region.

Project Ô technologies have helped close
the loop on water use in the Puglia region of Italy

And this leads to other benefits too...
  • Maximising local water reuse to strengthen resilience in the region and decrease the need for external water imports
  • Recharged aquifers ensure their viability for future use and protects a long-term local source of water
  • New local water reuse will relieve pressure on the aqueduct and can lead to a reduction of reliance on water from external sources
  • Closing the loop requires new infrastructure and use of technologies which can lead to an increase in local jobs in the environmental sector 
  • Returning treated water to its source supports the local environment and stops water being discharged into the Adriatic Sea

Solution

ADV.ERT technology is an advanced, tertiary treatment, mobile plant

It has been designed to treat contaminated freshwater out of the reach of existing water treatment plants

The features of ADV.ERT technology include:

  • Relatively small dimensions
  • Mobile and operates independently of a water treatment plant, so it can be used directly at the water source
  • Low electrical energy consumption, which reduces costs and increases sustainability
  • Low investment and operational costs with a low environmental impact
  • Can be used to treat any water source with a variable level of contamination

DAP is designed to aid water resource management

DAP will help decision-makers compare the effect of making particular decisions
The models are based on real world conditions to forecast the impact on water supply
This will allow decision-makers to manage water resources with robust and efficient compromises
DAP provides the practical tools to enable evidence-based decision making
in the management and treatment of water
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