Spain

Supporting the detection and processing of complex pollutants, the protection of water treatment plants and water reuse

Challenge

What happens to the water we use in our homes or businesses?

To keep everyone safe, this wastewater must be treated before it is returned to the natural environment or sustainably reused.

Water goes to nearby treatment plants after it’s used, where harmful organic pollutants are removed. 

Normally, water treatment systems stop working properly when pollutants become too concentrated, as can happen with wastewater from agriculture. This means that the water could still be unsafe when it goes back to local rivers after it’s already been treated.

Project Ô has developed the MOBILE3TECH module to remove complex pollutants from used water

It addresses many of the challenges associated with organic pollutants, and improves the cleaning and reuse of wastewater.

MOBILE3TECH allows early detection of excessive water pollution from local food-based industries. Once detected, this wastewater is diverted for extra treatment before reaching the plant’s main system. This new treatment step is critical to protect the plant. This combination of early detection and as-needed extra treatment also saves energy and money by applying water cleaning technology in a targeted way. 

MOBILE3TECH also includes technology that adds an additional layer of treatment after the water leaves the plant’s main system. This additional treatment enables the water to be immediately reused for vital human needs such as farming.

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

DAP will support the site owners, SOCAMEX, in visualising the effects of implementing Project Ô technologies on a wider scale.

This will enable them to fully benefit from a circular water economy approach, while considering the effect of real-world conditions on their decisions.

Background

Almendralejo is a small Spanish city about 160 kilometres north of Seville

It has a population of around 35,000 and is home to several different industries

In particular, there are almost thirty businesses processing olives for consumption as both fruit and oil. The used water from both homes and industry is sent for treatment to the nearby water treatment plant in Almendralejo. If a spill occurs, toxic used water could be sent directly to a water treatment plant and damage the system. This means the toxic used water could be returned to the natural environment without being treated.

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

Project Ô has developed MOBILE3TECH technology as a cost-effective, mobile solution to directly treat toxic used water before it is sent to a water treatment plant. In addition, an advanced control unit can assess the water to determine if pre-treatment is needed and therefore ensures that only required treatments are carried out. Using DAP will allow decision-makers, like SOCAMEX, to consider the current and future sustainability of the local water supply.
Project Ô is supporting local businesses to deal with their used water cost-effectively, helping them comply with environmental regulations, and increasing the reuse of water.

Circular Water Economy

Project Ô’s technologies increase the sustainable reuse of wastewater by helping to ensure it is thoroughly and efficiently cleaned, so it can once again help to meet human needs. This reduces the demands on finite water resources.

Project Ô technologies have helped close the loop on water use in Almendralejo in Spain

And this leads to other benefits too...
  • Maximising local water reuse to strengthen resilience against changes in the climate and economy and increase the efficiency of water management
  • Closing the loop, requires new infrastructure and land uses which can lead to an increase in local jobs in the environmental sector 
  • Water management is supported by an increase in health and safety measures through strict regulations, quality standards, management plans, policies and permits for water reuse, storage and transportation
  • Improving the local environment through decreases in water taken from and discharged into the local river basin
  • Protecting the local area and water treatment plant by treating toxic water and accidental spills

Solution

MOBILE3TECH technology treats complex pollutants that may damage water treatment plants

The inclusion of an advanced control unit allows used water to be analysed

This determines if it is safe to go directly to the water treatment plant or if pre-treatment via MOBILE3TECH technology is required. The design of MOBILE3TECH technology includes:

  • The ability to test used water quality and determine if pre-treatment is required
  • A mobile and cost-effective pre-treatment unit that increases the biodegradability and decreases the toxicity of used water before treatment at a water treatment plant
  • The regeneration of saturated activated carbon for reuse reducing the consumption of new activated carbon
  • Low investment and operational costs
  • Compatibility with existing facilities, minimising works to incorporate the new system
  • The retention of emerging pollutants for safe water reuse

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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