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Transcript of Water and Waste Water International 10 11 2012
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October/November 2012 - Vol. 27, Issue 5
www.wwinternational.com
Veolia Water CEO Jean-Michel Herrewyn on the record Water Quality Trading in the US
UV Ballast Treatment Market Israels Smart Bubble Aeration Technology Round-up: Pumps
Eco-friendly Water?Aquaviva project def es odds with claimed carbon neutral wastewater treatment
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1www.wwinternational.com October/November | 2012
Cover image courtesy Istockphoto
ContentsOctober/November 2012 Vol. 27 Issue 5
$67 Single copies US & Intl, $44 Digital (worldwide)To receive this magazine in a digital format, go to wwi.omeda.com
23 34 38
Technology Roundup
Editorial FocusGREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
20 The Aqaviva project in France claims to be the worlds first carbon
neutral wastewater treatment facility. Now that its operating, do these
claims still stand up? A look into the facility operation details and whether
the model can be replicated globally.
UV, OZONE & ADVANCED OXIDATION NEEDS
24 Smart bubbles: with wastewater oxidation leading to high utility
energy bills, aeration manufacturers are competing to offer the most energy
efficient solutions. Israeli firm Diffusaire claims its solution can cut aeration
energy requirements in half.
GROUNDWATER DEVELOPMENT & FLOW MODELLING
43 A new report from the USGS has documented data on dissolved
methane concentrations in groundwater across New York.
Are increasing gas fracking operations from shale formations having an
impact on this?
4 Perspective
6 News
48 Technology Roundup: Pumps, Motors & Drive Systems
50 Product Review: Ion Exchange & Filtration Systems
52 Ad Index/Web Promo/Diary
WATER LEADER FOCUS
12 Veolia Environnment is increasing its industrial water solution activity,
yet sold off its UK regulated business earlier this year. CEO Jean-Michel
Herrewyn speaks exclusively to WWI about how and why.
CREATIVE FINANCE
16 The latest report from industry analysts Frost & Sullivan investigates
the developing water industry in the GCC. Growing confidence in mem-
brane desalination and wastewater reuse is helping investment.
Regulars Regional SpotlightAMERICA/CARIBBEAN
28 Ballast Backlash? With IMO Convention ratification delayed, US states
such as New York and California have set their own requirements. How will
these regional and national regulation tie in together and affect manufacturers?
34 Is Water Quality Trading the new American dream to bring utilities and
the agricultural sectors together? Would upstream thinking prevent costs
downstream? NACWA addresses these questions after urging the EPA to
reconsider its policy.
38 Whole Lotta Lead: By early 2014 news rules will affect the use of lead
in water meters being used in contact with drinking water across the US.
Now is the time for utilities to plan for the Reduction of Lead in Drinking
Water Act.
40 PepsiCos Casa Grande facility in Arizona has achieved almost com-
plete wastewater reuse, thanks to a UF/MBR and UV combination. A look
at the facility set up and Q&A interview with director of water stewardship,
Liese Dallbauman.
48 Portable drum pump to handle acids and caustics; centrifugal pumps
part of 1.25 wastewater facility refurbishment; multi-vane Contrablock Plus
pump impellers from Sulzer; Grundfos launches S-tube impeller across the
Pond to the US market; patent awarded to Blue-White for its peristaltic
pump safety switch; global mine dewatering pump expansion for Xylem;
a 630 series pump now available for sodium hypochlorite from Watson-
Marlow and EZstrip pump range expansion for NOV Mono.
Product Review50 Hybrid deionization system launched by Pentair; stainless steel separator-
filter from TLV; microfiber pile cloth media; GE boosts UF, MBR, RO and elec-
trodialysis ranges and sensor technology to help optimize water filter backwash
monitoring.
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For more than eighty years, we at Costacurta, have
been constantly and resolutely committed to the
development and manufacture of special steel wire and
plate components used in many different industrial
processes.
Every day at Costacurta, we work to improve the
quality of our products and services and the safety of all
our collaborators, paying ever-greater attention to the
protection of the environment.
The wide range of Costacurta products also includes
PUNCHED AND MILLED PLATES AND WEDGE WIRE
SCREENS, generally used as filtering elements in the
food processing and beverage industry.
One specific application of these products is the beer
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For more information visit our website or contact the
division 'A' filtering elements and fabricated
parts at [email protected] and milled plates and wedge wire screens
For Info. http://wwi.hotims.com RS# 2
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3www.wwinternational.com October/November | 2012
SUBSCRIBER SERVICE: P.O.Box 3264 Northbrook, IL USA 60065-3264, Tel: (847) 559-7501 Fax: (847) 291-4816 E-mail: [email protected], Water & Wastewater International is published six times a year. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Water & Wastewater International. No part of Water & Wastewater International may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. The statements made or opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect
the views of Water & Wastewater International or PennWell Corporation. Subscriptions: $271 a year,single $61; Digital-$152, single $40. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Subscriber Service, Water & Wastewater International, P.O. Box 3209, Northbrook, IL USA 60065-3209
PETER S. CARTWRIGHT President Cartwright Consulting Co. [Oegstgeest, The Netherlands]
FRDRICK COUSIN, PRODUCT MANAGER Degrmont Technologies [Paris, France]
BEATRIZ LPEZ LINARES Environmental Superintendent DaimlerChrysler [Toluca, Mexico]
IAN LOMAX Global Marketing Manager - Desalination Dow Water Solutions [Rheinmuester, Germany]
PAUL OVERBECKExecutive Director International Ozone Association-PAG and International Ultraviolet Association [Phoenix, USA]
ANDREW WARNESSenior Product Manager - Systems Pentair Residential Filtration - A Joint Venture of GE & Pentair [Chicago, USA]
EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PUBLISHER Timm Dower [email protected]
CHIEF EDITOR Tom Freyberg [email protected] DESIGN EDITOR Heather Skeith [email protected]
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Angela Godwin [email protected]
PRODUCTION MANAGER Rae Lynn Cooper [email protected]
MARKETING MANAGER Tim Chambers [email protected]
CIRCULATION & AUDIENCE Emily Martha Martin DEVELOPMENT MANAGER [email protected]
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, PENNWELL CORPORATION1421 S. SHERIDAN ROAD, TULSA, OK 74112 USA
SR. VP & GROUP PUBLISHER: Tom FowlerPRESIDENT/CEO: Robert F. BiolchiniCHAIRMAN Frank T. LauingerADVERTISING SALES EUROPE: Roy Morris - Sales Manager
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T: +1 610-430-8181 E: [email protected]
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co.jp, [email protected]
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PennWell International PublicationsThe Water Tower, Gunpowder Mill,Powdermill Lane, Waltham Abbey,Essex. EN9 1BN. UKTel: +44 (0) 7904867746
Editorial OfficesPennWell Corporation1421 South Sheridan RoadTulsa, Oklahoma 74112-6600 USAT: 918-831-9176
ISSN: 1069-4994
For Info. http://wwi.hotims.com RS# 3
Introducing the Duron, Wedecos latest offering for open channel waste water UV disinfection. With more than 20 years of vertical UV disinfection engineering & research behind its design, the Duron is shining new light on wastewater treatment. Duron
systems take the latest Ecoray high powered energy ef cient lamps and incline them at a 45 Degree angle, saving additional space
in the channel. Its integral lifting device allows for easy maintenance and accessibility, making it a clear choice in terms of ease of
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Perspective
4 www.wwinternational.comOctober/November | 2012
Water and power are like an old mar-
ried couple. Theyve been dependent
on each other for years but dont re-
ally like to admit it. They can act inde-
pendently but secretly, deep down, they know they
rely on each other for getting by in the world.
The marriage analogy has also been translated
into a buzz-word, namely the water-energy nexus.
Usually Im not a big fan of buzzwords. They are
over and wrongly used by many. For once, I agree
that this buzzword can justify all of the hype.
I was invited to speak on this very issue at the
recent Independent Powers Producers Forum
retreat in Bangkok, right after PennWells Power-
Gen Asia event.
Water and power have been intrinsically linked
since the dawn of man. By its very nature water is
heavy and requires
a lot of energy to
transport it from
source to tap. After
all, 10% of global
electricity demand
is taken by water
pumping alone.
And of course,
water is a neces-
sity for power plant
operations. Cool-
ing, cleaning and
steam production
all rely upon this
natural element.
Yet the million
dollar question is
whether there are
indeed market
opportunities for
either industry looking to cross over? If the prog-
ress of Veolia Environnements efforts are any-
thing to go by then I would say yes.
As you can read from the exclusive interview
with Veolia Water CEO Jean-Michel Herrewyn
starting on page 12, the f rms technology sup-
plier subsidiary has seen a 35% increase in its
industrial activity over the last three years alone.
This is an exemplary tale of a company experi-
enced in providing water as a service, consolidat-
ing this activity in markets such as the UK, and
really seeing the benef ts of increasing its technol-
ogy arsenal for industrial clients.
Weve already seen how water companies are
offering the service of power production to help
secure projects. Take Hyf uxs bid for Singapores
second desalination facility Tuaspring it plans
to build its own 400MW+ power plant alongside
the water plant and sell excess power to the grid.
Globally, the challenge of providing enough
water to generate power which can then be used
to transport water (I know, it gets confusing) is
upon us. Estimates from the World Energy Coun-
cil suggest that water needed for power pro-
duction is expected to double over the next 40
years. By 2050, total power demand for water is
expected to increase by 100 billion m3.
As can be seen in the Creative Finance article
on the GCCs water sector development on page
16, Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technologies are
predicted to gain more traction in the Middle East
and globally.
Brine leftover from wastewater processing by
membranes is treated by evaporation and crys-
tallation leaving only salt crystals or dry cake,
which can be disposed of. As in the name, no
liquid is left to discharge particularly useful for
areas where its environmentally, or politically, dif-
f cult to simply discharge treated eff uent.
Food and drink manufacturers are also a key
target for major technology suppliers. On page
40 you can read how Pepsico is reusing 75% of
its water onsite at a crisp production facility in Ari-
zona using Ultraf ltration and Membrane Bioreac-
tor technology. This facility has been touted as a
f agship project in the companys journey of con-
serving nearly 16 million cubic meters of water in
2011, from a 2006 baseline.
Its clear that the water industry's role is chang-
ing. Whereas in the past water and power utilities
could be accused of silo-thinking, acting and of-
fering separate businesses; these times are over.
And just like with the elderly couple mentioned
earlier, Im hoping its a marriage that ends up
happily ever after. Enjoy the issue. WWi
Water & Power: Kick-starting the Old Marriage
Estimates from the World Energy Council sug-
gest that water needed for power production is
expected to double over the next 40 years
Tom Freyberg
Chief Editor
In a pincer like movement increasing environmental standards and
potential cost savings are forcing the power sector to upgrade
and invest in advanced water technologies. Will the water-energy
nexus become even more promiment in future years?
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6 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com
Worldwide News Europe
The municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals market in Western Europe
is growing, driven by the increasing demand for cost-effective chemicals and rising envi-
ronmental concerns. Stricter regulations at both national and regional levels are further
propelling market expansion.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan - Analysis of the Municipal Water and Wastewater
Treatment Chemicals Market in Western Europe - f nds that the market earned 2.6
billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach 3.1 billion in 2018.
Water and wastewater treatment chemicals used throughout Western Europe
need to comply with strict standards related to safety, hygiene and quality, explained
Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Anna Jarosik. Such regulations are anticipated to
fuel water and wastewater treatment chemical development, leading to overall im-
provements in water and wastewater quality.
Green legislation will compel municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals
manufacturers to continuously improve their chemical solutions and treatment process-
es through the development of cost-effective and energy-saving solutions.
There is a real need for innovative, sustainable, and economically viable water and
wastewater treatment solutions, added Jarosik. Chemicals that offer a competitive
price-performance ratio, have value-added features and that can be made readily avail-
able in customized volumes will also experience strong demand.
EU regulations and environmentally-friendly policies strongly determine the direction
of the municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals market. Directives and
regulations, typically national, specify water quality and even def ne the chemicals that
can be used for treatment.
Following operating experience
from a 500 m3/day pilot plant in El
Gouna in Egypt, a low temperature
distillation process has been launched
which claims to produce water using
less than 1.0 kilowatt hour per cubic
meter (kWh/m3).
Called the Watersolutions low
temperature distillation (LTD) sys-
tem, the process is based on the
principle of low temperature distil-
lation and claims an operating cost
of between one third and half of
existing processes, according to
the company.
LTD condenses water at low
temperature and pressure, using
waste heat (50 - 110 C) from ther-
mal processes including renewable
energy sources such as solar energy
or geothermal energy.
Signif cant amounts of low
grade waste heat (6 - 30 MW) are
required that have to be generated
from sources including thermal
power plants, district cooling sys-
tems, general industry, mining and
waste incineration.
Watersolutions said the LTD sys-
tem with one cascade can produce
pure water at less than 1.0 kilowatt
hour per cubic meter (kWh/m3) in
contrast to SWRO which typically
uses 3.5 4.5 kWh/m3 of water
production.
The company said that 1.5 m3
of seawater is needed to produce
1.0 m3 of clean water (< 10 ppm of
dissolved solids).
Units are available in two sizes
a large module that produces
1000-2000 m3/d (pending the
amount of waste heat available and
number of cascades) and a me-
dium module with capacity of 500-
1000 m3/d.
According to the f rm, LTD
works eff ciently over a broad range
of salinity. Because the process is
very tolerant to the salinity of the
feedwater, it can even handle brine
concentrate from RO.
As a result, retrof tting an ex-
isting RO plant with an LTD sys-
tem would be an eff cient way to
increase the plants capacity, said
Watersolutions.
Our LTD system is ideally posi-
tioned to capture growth both in the
desalination market and for treating
industrial wastewater including pro-
duced water from oil and gas explo-
ration, said CEO Espen Mansfeldt.
LTD thermal process claims 1 kWh/cubic meter energy use
The city of Veresegyhz, a suburb of
Hungarian capital city Budapest, has se-
lected GEs ZeeWeed 500D ultraf ltration
membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology
to increase water reuse at its existing wa-
ter treatment plant.
In 2010, the water authority issued a
permit that allowed the municipality to re-
use the water treated by GEs MBR tech-
nology. This helps ensure the region has
increased access to fresh water.
Under the contract, GE will supply the
city of Veresegyhz with MBR technology
and equipment featuring ZeeWeed 500D
reinforced, hollow-f ber membranes.
The upgrade of the plants waste-
water treatment processes with the GE
MBR technology features four ZeeWeed
500D trains, eight cassettes and 288
modules.
This will expand the plants treatment
capacity to 5,000 m3/day. The project is
f nanced by the EU Cohesion Fund and
is expected to be completed by the end
of 2012.
Water reuse and providing our com-
munity with high-quality water is essential
as our fresh water supply persistently
dwindles. The upgraded wastewater
treatment plant will give us access to
more water for both industrial and resi-
dential use, said Pasztor Bela, mayor of
the city of Veresegyhz.
First Milk, is to become the f rst busi-
ness customer to switch water supplier
since the Department for Environment
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) altered the
regulations in England and Wales to allow
more businesses to be able to choose
their water supplier.
Until recently only businesses that
used more than 50,000 m3 of water a
year, could switch from their existing
water supplier to a new one. The thresh-
old has now been reduced to just 5,000
m3, which has substantially increased
the number of businesses that are able
to choose their water supplier from just
2,200 to 26,000 businesses.
Severn Trent Costain, a joint ven-
ture between Severn Trent Services and
Costain has signed up First Milk, in a deal
that will see STC supply, manage and
monitor their water across six major sites
in England, Wales and Scotland involving
over 600,000 m3 of water per year.
As part of the contract, STC will be
installing monitoring equipment at all of
the six First Milk sites.
The aim is to help First Milk to develop
a detailed understanding of their water
usage, as well as options for how it can
become more eff cient.
Business switches suppliers under new ruling in England
Budapest suburb boosts wastewater reuse with membrane bioreactor
Municipal water and wastewater treatment chemicals market growing in Western Europe
Field Notes
Romania targeted with
Hydro International
Hydro has partnered with distributor C & V Water to supply its water and wastewater treatment solutions in Ro-mania. It is expected that opportuni-ties will focus initially on Hydros Grit King hydrodynamic vortex separator. Hydro said that effective grit removal is expected to be of value for water and wastewater treatment in Romania because it helps to avoid machinery breakdown and high maintenance costs by protecting plant and equip-ment from the damaging wear and tear of grit particles.
Sardinia drinking water
plant awarded to Acciona
Italy public sector company Ab-banoa S.p.a has contracted Spanish f rm Acciona Agua a 9 million Euro design and build partnership for the Siniscola drinking water treatment plant. The drinking water facility will treat surface water from the Mac-cheronis Dam in Torpe and will have a treatment capacity of 0.4 m3 per second. Work will be carried out in a temporary joint venture involving Ital-ian SCADA company CEIF.
Thames warns to keep
wipes out of their pipes
UK water utility giant Thames Water said that the increasing use of wet wipes from families is adding to its already annual 12 million is spends on clearing 80,000 blockages a year across its 108,000 km network across London.
The utility said that the wet wipe market is growing at faster than 15% per year and as they dont break down like toilet paper, they are resulting in blocked sewers.
Thames Water said: Wet wipes main partner in sewer abuse crime is food fat. It slips down the sink eas-ily when warm but sets into hard fat-bergs when it cools in the sewers.
-
7October/November | 2012www.wwinternational.com
Worldwide NewsEurope/Middle East
Research underway in Saudi Arabia to look at how solar
power can be harnessed for desalination processes is paying
off as the country looks set to increase capacity.
Reports from Arab News suggest that the Saline Water Con-
version Corporation (SWCC) will establish three new solar-
powered desalination plants to reduce dependence on oil.
Abdul Rahman Al-Ibrahim, governor of the corporation,
was quoted as saying that two solar-powered desalination
plants are currently operating in Al-Khafji and Jubail, and
SWCC is planning to establish three more plants in Haqel,
Dhuba and Farasan.
Al-Ibrahim conf rmed progress on the desalination plant
being constructed in Ras Al-Khair, adding it would be ready
within two years.
Electricity production at the Ras Al-Khair plant will start in
April 2013, while desalination water production in 2014, the
governor reportedly said. About 55% of work on the project
has been completed.
Saudis solar desalination vision gets brighter
guas de Portugal (AdP) Group has
selected Bentley Systems water soft-
ware technology in a bid to streamline the
operation and management of its water
and wastewater systems.
AdP Groups water and wastewater
collection and treatment systems and wa-
ter supply networks serve 80% of Portu-
gals population.
In addition to producing an accurate
combined-system overf ow and estuary
discharge report in f ve seconds, the new
system is expected to achieve 2 percent
energy reductions by improving the eff -
ciency of 90 pumping stations.
AdP Group companies that have ac-
quired Bentley software included AdP
Servios, guas de Trs-os-Montes e
Alto Douro (AdTMAD) and Saneamento
Integrado dos Municpios do Tejo e
Tranco (SimTejo), a concessionary that
operates the sanita-
tion system for the
metropolitan region
of Lisbon. The latter treats 118 million cu-
bic meters of wastewater per year.
SimTejo was faced with uncontrolled
stormwater f ows into its sewerage sys-
tems, which were causing major f ooding
problems and enabling large quantities of
grit and coarse solids to enter the sys-
tem. The net result was a very real po-
tential for the functional collapse of the
system.
The provided software is being used
in real time to forecast sewer overf ows
and estuary discharges. The system is
now being run every 15 minutes with up-
dated measured rainfall as well as rainfall
forecasts from an operational meteoro-
logical model acquired daily via FTP.
Portuguese water utility aims to cut energy use by 2% after software upgrade
Middle East
Lower cost membrane desalination and increased water
scarcity is now meaning that large scale desalination plants
are coming online outside of the Middle East.
The largest membrane desalination plant in the world the
444,000 m3/d Victoria Desalination Plant in Melbourne, Aus-
tralia came online recently but it will be soon surpassed by
the 500,000 m3/d Magtaa plant in Algeria, and the 510,000
m3/d Soreq plant in Israel.
The largest thermal desalination plant in the world is the
880,000 m3/d Shoaiba 3 desalination plant in Saudi Arabia,
although this will be displaced in 2014 as the largest desalina-
tion plant in the world by the 1,025,000 m3/d Ras Al Khair
project in Saudi Arabia, which uses both membrane and ther-
mal technology.
Data published from the International Desalination As-
sociation (IDA) showed that over the past f ve years a 57%
increase in the capacity of desalination plants coming on-line
has been witnessed. The installed base of desalination plants
around the world now has a capacity of 78.4 million m3/d
compared to 47.6 million m3/d at the end of 2008.
Around 60% of desalination capacity treats seawater; the
remainder treats brackish and less saline feedwater. Histori-
cally, large scale desalination has mainly been built in the Gulf
region where there is no alternative for public water supply.
Large scale thermal/RO desalination gains traction
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8 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com
Worldwide News Americas
Governor Tom Corbett announced
the investment of $79 million in 27 non-
point source, drinking water and waste-
water projects in 16 counties through the
Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment
Authority (PENNVEST).
The funding approvals bring PEN-
NVESTs total assistance over its 24 year
history past the $7 billion mark, a land-
mark achievement for this program and
for the state as a whole. Of the $79 mil-
lion total awards, $69 million is for low-
interest loans and $10 million is offered
as grants.
The awards range from a $100,287
loan to construct waste handling facili-
ties that will reduce nutrient runoff into a
stream in Chester County, to a $12.8 mil-
lion loan/grant combination for a project in
Blair County that will both reduce nutrient
discharges to the Chesapeake Bay. This
is as well as eliminate the use of malfunc-
tioning on-lot septic systems that are con-
taminating local drinking water wells.
The funding comes from a combina-
tion of state funds approved by voters,
federal grants to PENNVEST from the
Environmental Protection Agency and
recycled loan repayments from previous
PENNVEST funding awards.
Nearly $80 million investment into Pennsylvania infrastructure projects
The city of Wheaton and the Whea-
ton Sanitary District jointly developed
a master plan, in which the city agreed
to reduce excess f ows in Basin 4 by
40% and in Basin 3 by 60%.
RJN Group Inc. (RJN) originally
began working on the Basin 4 Sanitary
Sewer System Rehabilitation Program
in February of 2011. In May of 2012,
the contract for the Rehabilitation Pro-
gram was extended for another year to
July 2013 and was expanded to cover
city Sewer Basin 3.
The city has performed extensive
public sector rehabilitation, yet unac-
ceptable levels of Inf ow/Inf ltration (I/I)
remain. I/I in the sanitary sewer system
results in basement backups and sani-
tary sewer overf ows (SSOs) after even
small rain events. Since extensive work
has already been done in the public
sector, the city must now address the
private sector sources.
In Basin 4, RJN had previously
completed smoke testing and a small
amount of building inspection. RJN will
now be performing additional services
in a portion of Basin 4 designated as
a pilot area. In the pilot area all six
hundred properties will undergo build-
ing inspections by RJN f eld techni-
cians.
The 40% f ow reduction target in
the master plan will be accomplished
in the pilot area through a combination
of removal of any remaining public sec-
tor sources, removal of private sector
sump pump sources and lining of ser-
vice laterals. Long-term f ow metering
and utilizing city meters will be used to
assess the f ows before and after the
rehabilitation work.
Services that RJN will perform in
Basin 3 include data analysis on City-
owned meters and rain gauges, smoke
testing on a total of 65,000 linear feet,
assessment of manhole condition and
creation of a complete basin hydraulic
model. Based on this work RJN will
provide recommendations for removal
of excess f ow from the Basin.
ILLINOIS SEWER
REHABILITATION
PROGRAM CONTINUES
TO PROGRESS
FuelCell Energy has started operation
of a 2.8 megawatt stationary fuel cell pow-
er plant installation at a municipal water
treatment facility in California that utilizes
renewable biogas as a fuel source.
The company previously announced
the sale of the power plant to project de-
veloper and investor Anaergia who is sell-
ing the electricity and heat to Inland Empire
Utilities Agency (IEUA) under a twenty-year
power purchase agreement. Fuel cells use
an electrochemical process to eff ciently
generate electricity and heat suitable for
generating steam.
The absence of combustion avoids
the emission of almost any pollutants,
virtually eliminating nitrogen oxide, sulfur
dioxide and particulate matter, the com-
pany said.
The fuel cell power plant replaces
internal-combustion engines so the clean
power generation will help IEUA meet the
stringent emission regulations issued by
the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD), the local air pollution
control agency.
The by-product heat from this power
plant will be used to help create the en-
ergy by heating the anaerobic digesters
that produce the biogas.
AD biogas powers 2.8MW fuel cells
The City of Newport has started con-
struction of a new Lawton Valley Water Treat-
ment Plant in Portsmouth and upgrades to
the treatment processes at the Station No. 1
Water Treatment Plant in Newport.
In January 2012 the Newport City
Council awarded a design build contract
valued at $67 million for the water treat-
ment plant improvements to the joint ven-
ture of AECOM and C.H. Nickerson & Co.
The project includes the design and
construction of a new Lawton Valley wa-
ter treatment plant and improvements to
the Station No. 1 water treatment plant.
These new facilities are scheduled to be in
service by Dec. 31, 2014.
The Lawton Valley and Station No. 1
plants provide drinking water to Newport
Water Divisions 14,500 retail customers in
Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth as
well as the wholesale customers at Naval
Station Newport and the Portsmouth Wa-
ter and Fire District.
The project is designed to improve
drinking water quality for all Aquidneck
Island water users and responds to a
mandate by the Rhode Island Department
of Health to reduce the amount of triha-
lomethanes in treated water. Trihalometh-
anes are disinfectant by-products that are
formed when natural organics in the water
react with chlorine that is added to the wa-
ter for disinfection.
The Lawton Valley Water Treatment
Plant is currently designed to treat seven
million gallons of water every day. It will un-
dergo a full demolition and will be replaced
by a more eff cient facility with the same ca-
pacity. The Station No. 1 Water Treatment
Plant was originally designed to treat nine
million gallons of water each day; however,
due to age-related degeneration it is only
able to reliably treat six million gallons a day.
The upgrades will restore the treatment ca-
pacity back to nine million gallons per day.
The upgrades at both facilities will incor-
porate an advanced water treatment pro-
cess using granular activated carbon con-
tactors, which will remove organics from
the water as well as improve the aesthetic
quality in terms of taste and odor. Once
completed, the Newport water treatment
plants will be the only facilities in Rhode Is-
land to have advanced treatment.
Newport upgrades water treatment plant
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agen-
cy has awarded $218 million to New York
State to help f nance improvements to water
projects that are essential to protecting public
health and the environment.
The funds will primarily be used to up-
grade sewage plants and drinking water sys-
tems throughout the state.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund
program, administrated by the New York
State Department of Environmental Con-
servation and the New York State Envi-
ronmental Facilities Corporation, received
$157,205,222.
The program provides low-interest loans
for water quality protection projects to make
improvements to wastewater treatment sys-
tems, control pollution from rain water runoff
and protect sensitive water bodies and estu-
aries.
The Drinking Water State Revolving
Fund program, administrated by the New
York State Department of Health, received
$60,923,000.
The program provides low-interest loans
to f nance improvements to drinking water
systems, with a particular focus on providing
funds to small and disadvantaged communi-
ties and to programs that encourage pollution
prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drink-
ing water. Since 1989, the EPA has awarded
$4.9 billion to New York through these pro-
grams.
New York state water projects improved by EPA grants
-
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Water eff ciency must be considered alongside sup-
ply options as Australias climate is highly variable and
emerging pressures such as population growth will af-
fect the security of water supplies in ways that are dif-
f cult to predict, a new position paper has said.
Released by the Australian Water Association (AWA),
the paper said that the case for water eff ciency was a
need for greater consistency in approaches taken to
water eff ciency across the country would facilitate the
sharing of experiences and would minimize the risk of
research being duplicated.
Recent rainfall across many of Australias cities pro-
vide respite from severe drought conditions and has led
to the lifting of water restrictions in many areas. This has
also reduced the emphasis that some governments and
local utilities place on water eff ciency measures, accord-
ing to the AWA.
The industry agreed eff ciency measures should be
carried out regardless of rainfall levels. A State of the
Water Sector Survey 2012 from the AWA/Deloitte asked
the question Drought conditions have eased across
much of Australia over the past 18 months. To what ex-
tent should water conservation and eff ciency programe
be curtailed during wetter periods?. Over half (67%) of
respondents answered Not at all or Marginally.
As Neil Palmer, CEO of the National Centre of Ex-
cellence in Desalination Australia wrote in July-August
2010 issue of WWi, in terms of supply, desalination has
certainly come of age across Australia. The level of in-
vestment into desalination technology in just six years
has been astonishing.
By the end of this year, Australia will have its
sixth large-scale seawater desalination plant opera-
tional, helping to supply water up to 40% of public
needs. A combination of drought, climate change,
advances in reverse osmosis technology has led to
an increase in desalinated water over 10 years from
2005 to 2015 from less than 100 ml/day to more
than 1800 ml/day.
Australias f rst plant came into service in November
2006 - the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant in Western
Australia, with a capacity of 145 ML/d.
Since then, a further f ve large seawater desalination
plants have been created along the coastline with the
largest at Wonthaggi, just outside Melbourne, at 450
ML/d capacity nearing completion.
By 2015, these will be capable of providing up to
30% of Perths drinking water needs, 10% of Brisbanes,
15% of Melbournes, 10% of Sydneys and 40% of Ad-
elaides from the plentiful sea resource.
However, the AWA position paper warned that a too
heavy handed approach to enforcing water eff ciency
could have an adverse affect on supply. It said that
changes to water prices to stimulate conservation, re-
striction and other measures directed to reducing water
demand may have the effect of stimulating a shift to al-
ternative sources of supply.
Spreading risk across various water supply options
might not be bad move, the industry would think. Yet
AWA said: This may be appropriate and benef cial but
should be assessed on a case-by-case basis as there
can be undesirable impacts.
For example, a shift to local groundwater supplies
may deplete aquifers or lead to saline intrusion, and
more widespread use of rainwater tanks may lead to a
signif cant increase in energy usage.
Smart metering was touted one water eff ciency mea-
sure for Australia. A number of utilities have embarked
on programmes to install data loggers at commercial
premises to provide a f ner, more immediate, analysis of
water use, it said. This information is a fundamental pre-
cursor to the design of good water eff ciency programs,
said the AWA. On a household level, support was shown
for improvements in water meter accuracy and the deliv-
ery of monitored date to easy-to-read interfaces such as
phone apps and web portals in homes and workplaces.
The paper said these would strengthen the awareness
of water eff ciency and the ability to identify and act upon
issues.
The subject of tariffs and what water should cost did
not escape from the report. The AWA concluded that the
setting of a price that ref ects the full costs of supplying
water services to consumers is an essential component
of water eff ciency. If water is under-priced it will be over-
consumed.AWA also believes that it is essential that the
price charged to consumers fully ref ects the cost of sup-
ply and that price structures to be economically eff cient.
Going forward, to meet its water needs in the future,
Australia will need to ensure its approach is diverse and
tailored to circumstances.Water eff ciency measures
must always be part of the mix, not just in Australia but
globally.
ANALYSIS: Australian Water Association sets out vision for water eff ciency
-
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Anaerobic technologies supplier Biothane, part of
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (Veolia), has been
awarded a contract to provide a food & beverage manu-
facturer with a wastewater treatment plant in Indonesia.
Using the designed solution, the manufacturer will
be able to process 1,032 m3 of water and 7,000 kg of
chemical on demand load everyday.
Under the agreement, Biothane will provide the man-
ufacturer with a complete wastewater treatment system,
which includes a pre-treatment process.
During pre-treatment, suspended solids, together
with fats, oils and greases will be eff ciently removed
from the sewage through screening and purif cation.
Subsequently, the eff uent undergoes biological treat-
ment within a Biothane UASB reactor.
For this project, activated sludge aerobic treatment
is integrated with Biothane UASB technology to obtain
eff uents that meet regulatory standards for discharge.
Sludge collected is further treated using a centrifuge
decanter.
Upf ow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket
technology for Indonesian food & beverage manufacturer
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $300
million in loans to overhaul the quality, coverage, and man-
agement of water and wastewater services in the Sri Lankan
capital, Colombo.
The multitranche f nancing facility approved by the ADB
Board of Directors will support a $400 million government in-
vestment program to improve water and sanitation in greater
Colombo.
ADBs f rst tranche loan of $84 million will focus on reduc-
ing water losses in Colombo, which are estimated to cost
more than $13 million a year in foregone revenue.
The program aims to make water available 24 hours a day
throughout greater Colombo by 2020, with a focus on im-
proving services in underserved areas. It targets a reduction in
non-revenue water losses from nearly 50% in 2012 to about
20% by 2020 and seeks to ensure 100% sewer network cov-
erage by 2020.
ADBs assistance will be used to repair or replace water
transmission and distribution pipes and pumps, install high
quality meters, and implement network mapping and leakage
controls. It will fund new sewer connections and the construc-
tion of two wastewater treatment plants and support mea-
sures to strengthen the management and operations of the
oversight agencies, the National Water Supply and Drainage
ADB has donated over half a billion US dollars for water
supply and sanitation to Sri Lanka since 1986.
Parts of Colombos water supply distribution net-
work are over 100 years old and some areas only get
water for less than half the day, while the sewer network
suffers from frequent collapses and blockages, said
Mingyuan Fan, Urban Development Specialist in ADBs
South Asia Department. Our assistance will help the
government make water and sanitation services higher
quality, cost-effective, and sustainable.
Sri Lanka to get $300m to upgrade water/wastewater infrastructure
Business News
India and China growth help Singapores Hyf ux
almost double revenue in third quarter
Hy ux and its subsidiaries recorded a 15% increase in prof t to S$14.5 million in the third quar-
ter of 2012, with revenue fro the period at S$155 million. This is an improvement of 66% compared
to the same period last year.
The Asia region without China provided 80% or S$123.9 million to total revenue, while China
also chalked up increased saels of S$26.4 million. Revenue contribution from the MENA region
(Middle East and North Africa) was S$4.7 million.
In a statement Hy ux said: The uncertainties on a global economic front will continue to
have an impact on the pipeline of water infrastructure projects in the Groups key markets, such
as Asia including China and MENA. While the environment remains challenging, the group will
continue to focus on driving technology and innovation to provide cost-effective solutions to the
markets.
-
Making Ripples: Water Leader Focus
12 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com12 www.wwinternational.com
Veolia Waters CEO
is open and hon-
est about his com-
panys f nancial
situation. Everyone
knows that Veolia is under f nan-
cial stress so money is a scarce
resource, says Jean-Michel Her-
rewyn, before adding: This is
why I need to reallocate money.
He is of course talking about
the groups 5 billion asset di-
vestment program in other
words freeing up money - set to
be complete by the end of 2013.
One major milestone in the
companys consolidation process
was the sale of its UK regulated
water activities. Rift Acquisitions
purchased Veolia Water UK for
1.2 billion in the summer of this
year.
The selling of the UK regu-
lated business was a way to free
f nancial resources that the group
needs, Herrewyn says. Its not a
Veolia Water issue; it was a Veolia
Environnement issue. This decision was a f nancial decision. It was
not an easy decision for us because we have been active in the
UK for many, many years. Actually it was the f rst venture outside of
France so it had symbolic value.
Yet the UK market provided valuable lessons for the company as
a service provider, with the CEO saying the tough regulation made
sure utilities were operating eff ciently and providing top service.
Its encouraging to hear that experience learned from the scrupu-
Industrial Markets to Power Veolia Waters FutureThis year Veolia Environnement sold off its UK regulated water activities one of its earliest inter-
national operations - for 1.2 billion. And in three years the group saw a 35% increase in industrial
activity. Is this a sign that the company is favouring the industrial technology supplier to service
provider model? WWi caught up with its water group CEO, Jean-Michel Herrewyn, to f nd out.
Industrial Boom: Between 2009 and 2011 the Veolia Water group saw a 35% increase in
industrial contract bookings. Below are recent highlights of the activity
- Crystallization technology for salt recovery plant in Spain
VWS awarded contract by Iberpotash to provide HPD evaporation technology
- Technology available for treatment of high pH SAGD produced water
Contract with Tervita to treat wastewater from steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operators
- South Africa upgrades sugar ref nery
Reverse osmosis (RO) plant designed and installed for manufacturer to produce feed water
- Energy-eff cient water treatment for desert mine
A 62.5 m3/hour Ro permeate supplied to treat brackish water in Mauritania, Northwest Africa
Tactical divestment: Herrewyn believes that industrial solutions will help VWS increase revenue for the Veolia
Environnement group going forward, especially wastewater reuse and desalination
-
Making Ripples: Water Leader Focus
13October/November | 2012www.wwinternational.com
lous UK environment could be passed on around the world in East-ern Europe, or Asia or South Africa all of which are active markets for the company.
If you have strict f nancial constraints on one side, and on the oth-er side a global market offering with many opportunities then you are forced to allocate your money in a very strict way. You are pushed to develop a light capex offeringI believe that this doesnt impact the capabilities of the water division. This decision was not taken lightly and this decision was not pleasing in some respects. Again because of the nature of these activities and the historical factor.
A rare position in the water sector, Veolia acts as both a water supplier/private utility, Veolia Water (VW), as well as a supplier of tech-nology, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies (VWS). Between 2003 and 2009, Herrewyn can be credited with helping to turn around VWS what was the loss-making technical arm of Veolia into a series of eff cient, niche operating separate business units. It was in 2009 that he was appointed CEO of Veolia Water. So now he oversees both VW and its technical subsidiary VWS. Water & Wastewater In-ternational (WWi) caught up with Jean-Michel Herrewyn (J-MH). An abstract from the interview is printed below:
WWi: Was Veolia Environnements decision to sell off its
UK water operations for 1.2 billion a move to concentrate
more on the technology supplier business than water ser-
vice provider?
J-MH: I would not look at it this way. In the municipal business we have two models: heavy-capex and light-capex. In the heavy-capex business line, you are the part owner of a regional, local municipal water system, most of the time in a structure with local authorities. You are in the driving seat. You are the owner of the business so you inject your expertise to make the asset perform better. Then you get a return as a shareholder.
In the light-capex model, you are not entering the shareholding structure but helping customers to do better. Take the contract in New York - its not a privatisation process so the shareholding struc-ture and the governance of the New York water department has not changed. For the heavy-capex municipal model that we still promote, such as in Eastern Europe and China, we need f nancial resources. If we participate in big tenders for large corporations in the oil and gas industry where we would need to build infrastructure, then we need money.
WWi: In 2011 Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies helped
the water division generate revenue of 2.3 billion Euros. How
is this revenue broken down?
J-MH: A sizeable part of the VWS business 29% - came from Europe and a separate 20% for France. The rest came from outside this region.
To simplify its almost equally split between North America (12%) and South American (11%) and Asia (11%) and a little bit more for Africa and the Middle East (15%).
WWi: Out of the different water sectors, which present the
biggest growth opportunities in the future and why?
J-MH: Globally speaking industry should represent a signif cant potential for growth in technologies and in service. Im a great believer in alternative resources, such as desalination, reuse and recycling, so I do believe that you will have more and more countries needing or willing or both. Looking at the business through a more traditional angle of Veolia Water services then I would say of course our Asian activities and China activities to continue to signif cantly grow. I also expect our Eastern and Central Europe activities to grow.
WWi: So there is still plenty of opportunity in China as a ser-
vice provider, despite increasing local competition?
J-MH: We made the right move 10 years ago when we entered China and now mainly through the service activities we are a sizeable player in the Chinese market. We are on an equal business size with the top Chinese company. Of course I do expect the Chinese private sector in the service business also to grow at a higher base. I believe that we will still be part, even in 10 years time, in the top three to top f ve Chinese market players. And that was because we were able to enter the market in the early days when China needed foreign, non-Chinese actors in this market.
I can imagine and anticipate in the mid-term future that China will be an export platform. Actually its what weve already started to do on the municipal arena for VWS, for the EPC and technology part we serve some of the Asian market out of Beijing and out of China. We have a competitive advantage from doing so. Because being part of the Chi-nese water world, its also legitimate to believe that were a world partner with Chinese companies when they come to expand outside of China. That is the natural expansion also for some Chinese companies in the mid-term future, to do more and more outside of China.
Jean-Michel Herrewyn 1961 to present
- Born in 1961, a graduate from the cole Polytechnique and the cole Nationale dAdministration
- He became an engineer in 1986 in the Avionics division of Thomson CSF.
- In 1991 he joined the Compagnie Gnrale de Chauffe (now Dalkia) as technical manager then general manager of the home automation subsidiary
- In 1996 ran Dalkias German subsidiary and later subsidiaries in Austria and Switzerland
- Four years later in 2000 he was also appointed general manager of Veolia Transports German subsidiary
- In the same year he was appointed chairman of Valorec, a joint subsidiary of Dalkia and Veolia Environmental Services, created from the outsourcing of energy and waste management by Novartis plants in Basle (Switzerland).
- He joined Veolia Water in 2003 as Managing Director of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies.
- Six years later in 2009 he appointed Chief Executive Off cer of Veolia Water, the Water Division of Veolia Environnement
-
Making Ripples: Water Leader Focus
14 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com
WWi: Veolia is also playing a role in the Asian power market.
How much potential is there for advanced water solutions here?
J-MH: I see a clear trend in different countries towards the real
promotion of eff cient water usage through stricter regulation. Not
only stricter regulation also stricter enforcement of those regulations.
Of course this is the framework we need for the promotion of those
technologies. They are expensive compared to traditional systems so
nobody would like to invest into
something that is perceived as
not needed.
The context is drastically
changing in many countries. Two
worlds are combining: the pro-
cess water world and the eff uent
world, which have been separate
and foreign to each other before.
In the industry, you have many
players that are able to do one
task but not the other. Very few
are able to master both sides of
the process water part and the
wastewater part.
The power industry is now
addressing the water part of its
investment. If you build in closed
loops systems then you are ex-
tremely attentive to the quality of
the system because if it doesnt
work then the whole system
doesnt work. This is a big, big
change compared to the past. The responsibility for delivering suf-
f cient input water was left down to the plant management.
WWi: VWS is also a partner with power provide Alstom. Tell
me about the Water Impact Index?
J-MH: This is an evolution of the traditional footprint. Traditionally,
water usage is looked at in terms of volume. Volume doesnt tell the
full story. We have had to adapt to what we believe is important, such
as the stress factor and the quality of water extracted and the quality
of water rejected.
The index ref ects the real life situation. Its obviously not the same
issue if you have the same water treatment system in an area under
water stress compared to an area not under water stress. Its also dif-
ferent if you extract high quality water or if you extract polluted water.
The same is you reject treated water or non-treated water.
This is not a proprietary tool but a tool I would like to see used as
an open tool. In the power market we are working more closely with
Alstom because this company is also sharing these types of views.
Im pleased to see that when we talk more and more to corporate
names about those type of ideas the water index combined with
carbon footprint and environmental footprint, generally speaking we
are able now to have discussions which are extremely interesting. Its
not just corporate agenda but its also more and more linked to the
reality of the business at the site level.
The water industry is very strange because its a very fragmented
industry with a lot of different players and a lot of different local habits.
Its not that easy in this industry to promote general ideas or to pro-
mote trends that could be a little bit more universal.
WWi: Veolia provided the technology for what it claims it the
largest hybrid desalination plant in the world, at the Fujai-
rah 2 facility in the UAE. Are hybrid combinations the solution
here where technology uncertainty can be common?
J-MH: I think its a nice combination because through the mem-
brane part you get the f exibility that is the key advantage of this solu-
tion. In the thermal part you get the robustness that customers ap-
preciate in these technologies it is a well known fact that thermal
desalination is very robust. When you have algae bloom/red algae
tide problems in those countries, it is tough for membrane systems
to cope with that.
I do hope that well see more and more of the hybrid plants be-
cause this technological solution has a lot of potential. That is also
dedicated to these regions where you need both power and water
delivery systems with a combination of power and water.
Obviously if you just need water then membrane technologies
have completely outpaced thermal technologies. I really do believe
that contrary to what people have been saying sometimes in the past
that thermal is not dead at all.
WWi: This region - Africa and Middle East generated 15%
of the groups revenue in 2011. How is the group going to in-
crease business in this area?
Im quite conf dent about Africa. I think the continent has a lot
to offer for us and I can imagine our African activities growing in the
near future.
So in terms of municipal infrastructure, or in terms of industrial
infrastructure, Africa is a booming continent. There are a lot of things
happening as we talk. If you are familiar with the south part of the
continent, they face really drastic water shortages. Water issues are
really getting bigger and bigger. The mining industry also faces big
water shortages.
If you are talking municipal or industry, or both, the African conti-
nent should provide us with a lot of interesting options and opportuni-
ties. Also in Africa, even today on a limited scale, we are an operator.
That I would like to see growing.
WWi: And f nally, on the subject of money, what are your
thoughts on the f nancial gap between how much water
costs to process and how much its sold for. Will this change
in 10 years time and if so, how?
J-MH: I am absolutely convinced that there is no way around this
issue. I think this question is the key question for the water world in
the years to come. There is a social challenge protecting low in-
come families from rising tariffs but there is no other way around rising
tariffs. For industry, industrial customers will have to pay for the true
price of water and that will mean a signif cant increase in water tariffs.
The industry will have to think a lot more about water and again
investment in reuse, investment in all kinds of system where you can
extract value out of the water loop and eff uent. All of that will gain in
popularity because the present system is not a sustainable system.
This is indeed the same for all the countries on earth. For some coun-
tries it is becoming a real issue.
However, I really see a lot of signs that are making me optimistic
because I believe this issue is an opportunity. For too long this issue
has been set aside and is not being addressed the way it should.WWi
Enquiry No. 102
The CEO wishes for a universal use of a Water
Impact Index for industrial power plants
-
For Info. http://wwi.hotims.com RS# 9
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Creative Finance
16 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com16 www.wwinternational.com
The water sector is witnessing a revolution of sorts
with state-of-the-art technology being developed and
implemented, especially in the Gulf Cooperative Coun-
cil (GCC). Several reports and publications have given
narrated accounts of water stress and scarcity in the
GCC and its short and long-term implications. Some industry reports
have also pronounced the dire consequences of water imbalance
and risk, going as far as predicting suspected water wars in future.
These reports have not gone unnoticed by Governments and policy
makers in the GCC and signif cant measures are now being taken
towards sustainable practices.
The GCC countries are taking requisite steps to overcome known
challenges of streamlining public-private participation (PPP), utilities in
debt, improving accountability and investment framework. Technolo-
gy is playing a pivotal role in this situation. The use of advanced water
technologies is at an all-time high in the GCC. It is also observed that
most, if not all, best available water treatment and reuse technologies
are being used in this region.
Focus of the water sector in the region is shifting towards sus-
tainable practices, wastewater treatment and recycling, with several
utilities and water agencies announcing noticeable projects indicating
start of a technological turnaround for the region. Governments in the
GCC have allocated approximately USD100 billion towards imple-
menting better water technologies and energy-eff cient desalination.
UTILITIES RIDING THE TECHNOLOGY WAVE
Frost & Sullivan research reveals that urban water supply in the King-
dom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is
already above 90% coverage, with the majority of this water (up to
80%) sourced through desalination. In the next couple of years, it is
anticipated that water supply in urban regions will reach 100% cover-
age in these countries. Utilities such as DEWA (Dubai electricity and
Water Supply), are leading by example with Moodys Investors Ser-
vices upgrading the companys rating to investment grade. This has
been a result of operational improvements and a sound f nancial pro-
f le. It will be interesting to see if other utilities emulate these practices.
Investments in the water sector have been on the rise since 2010,
with several projects under execution or bidding/tendering stage.
These projects are covering all segments of the water sector, includ-
ing desalination, independent water and power projects (IWPP), wa-
ter transmission and distribution, repair and replacement of networks,
wastewater treatment and produced water treatment.
Sustainability drives have also been seen among national water
companies. An example is Haya Water, the wastewater company
of Oman which is reducing methane emissions by aerobically com-
posting sewage sludge. The end products can be re-used eff ciently
by the agriculture community as sewage biosolids or compost. In
the medium to long-term, technology adoption/upgrade and com-
pelling sustainability targets, together, can help the GCC reduce the
demand-supply gap and aid preservation of resources for future.
DESALINATION WILL GAIN MORE LOYALTY
Over the past two decades, desalination has become the backbone
of water supply and consumption in the entire Middle East and Af-
GCC: The Middle Easts Emerging Watering Hole?Governments in the GCC have allocated approximately USD100 billion towards implementing
better water technologies and energy-eff cient desalination. Planned reverse osmosis plant
capacities are increasing every quarter as a result, explains Kshitij Nilkanth.
A desalination project contract by the UAEs FEWA was one of the
most-competitive bids in recent times with as many as 20 bidders
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Creative Finance
17October/November | 2012www.wwinternational.com
rica (MEA) region. Investments in desalination have been on a rise
and conf dence in various technologies is growing. It is interesting
to notice that Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) is a dominant technology in
the GCC, while reverse osmosis (RO) is more dominant in non-GCC
countries. A reason behind this is that the number of large desalination
plants (over 100,000 m3/day) in the GCC is high; and at such ca-
pacities MSF is a proven technology. Lower primary energy cost in the
GCC further supports MSF technology. However, RO technology has
established itself as a reliable and eff cient technology for desalination.
The planned plant capacities of RO are increasing every quarter in
the GCC, thereby exhibiting economies of scale.
RO technology for desalination has overcome the challenges per-
taining to pre-treatment of RO feed water,
and a number of plants including the new
Al Zawrah desalination plant that will utilise
Ultraf ltration (UF) membranes supplied by
Pentair X-f ow. The system will produce
4783 m3/h of pre-treated seawater to
feed the RO membrane system. Similarly,
Jubail Seawater RO (SWRO) Phase 2 in
Saudi Arabia, has a designed capacity of
58,500 m/day. The plant has dual mem-
brane system with UF followed by RO. On
completion (expected January 2013), this
will be the largest UFRO desalination plant
in the KSA.
Desalination potential in the GCC is
increasingly attracting both domestic and
international companies in the bidding
process. In 2011, a desalination project
contract by the UAEs Federal Electricity
and Water Authority (FEWA) to provide
68,191 m3/day SWRO based desalination
facility was one of the most-competitive
bids in recent times with as many as 20
bidders, including top international com-
panies.
Increasing numbers of independent
water and power projects IWPPs are
utilising RO, thus driving the technol-
ogy market. Several GCC countries have
planned IWPPs with their construction
scheduled to commence in 2012. These
include 10 projects in the UAE worth
USD 1.5 billion; 15 projects in KSA worth
USD8.8 billion; and 19 projects in Kuwait
worth USD 4.2 billion.
Water production activities are increas-
ing in the Gulf but so is the signif cant
need for additional water owing to the
growing population. Added to this is the
proliferation of industrial and agricultural
activities. Implementation of eff cient wa-
ter management is critical to sustain this
essential resource for future.
OIL ON WATER
National oil companies in the GCC rank
among the worlds largest companies.
They are also initiating sustainable practic-
es by recognising the inf uence of water on their business. The oil and
gas industry in the Gulf is taking decisive steps in produced water
treatment. Produced water is generated in the process of extracting
oil and gas. This water brought along the surface during lifting is large
in volume, and needs treatment prior to discharge or re-injection.
The Bauer Nimr Produced Water Treatment Facility in Oman,
which in 2010-11 treated contaminated produced water using natu-
ral reed bed water treatment systems, is a pioneer in this sector. The
facility is treating around 46,500 m3 of production water per day and
an expansion to 95,000 cubic meters is in progress. This facility has
also achieved over 90% recovery of crude oil that was put through
the treatment plant along with energy savings, which have ref ected
For Info. http://wwi.hotims.com RS# 10
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Creative Finance
18 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com
both in ecological and environmental performance.
Another recent example of adopting advanced
technology solutions is Bahrain Petrochemical
Company (BAPCO) which is adopting Membrane
Bioreactor System (MBR) for its ref nery wastewa-
ter treatment plant at Sitra. GEs ZeeWeed tech-
nology will be used to handle wastewater f ow up
to 24,000 m3/day. More projects are in the pipeline
for produced water treatment in the GCC.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT THE WAY
FORWARD
In municipal wastewater treatment, much needs
to be done across the GCC, from collection
networks to treatment plants and water reuse.
In 2011-2012, several contracts for wastewater
treatment and transmission and distribution
contracts are expected to be awarded. The next
few years will be crucial as much will depend
on timely completion of these planned projects
and overcoming the challenges of f nancing and
operational delays.
One notable example is the Muharraq Wastewater Treatment
Plant in Bahrain. This 100,000 m3/d sewage treatment plant and 15
km deep gravity sewer conveyance system is under a 27-year agree-
ment. The aim of the project is to collect and treat wastewater to a
high standard, suitable for treated eff uent (TSE) to be reused. It will be
constructed on a reclaimed Greenf eld site. This is also the f rst PPP
(Public-Private-Partnership) project in the Bahrain wastewater sector.
Major international companies are keeping a close eye on these
developments and making inroads in the GCC water market through
manufacturing setups, partnerships, and joint ventures.
Some signif cant moves by companies in recent times indicate
how the biggest desalination market in the world is attracting atten-
tion. Technology companies not only from Europe, but also from East
Asia including Japan and Korea, are probing the Middle East market.
Their interests lie in exploring all segments of the ME water sector, in-
cluding niche products and services. Larger international companies
are reinforcing their stance in the region to sustain their position in the
increasingly competitive environment.
The Dow Chemical Company announced plans for a manufactur-
ing facility in the KSA which will deliver water membrane technologies
for desalination and re-use for potable, non-potable and industrial wa-
ter serving the MEA region and emerging markets worldwide.
In 2012, a joint venture company called Arabian Japanese Mem-
brane Company commenced production of RO membrane elements
for seawater desalination at a manufacturing plant in Rabigh City. The
JV is an agreement between ACWA Holding of Saudi Arabia, Toyobo
Co. and ITOCHU Corporation (Japan).
Arabian family-group companies are also
taking heed of situation. Groups with back-
ground in engineering solutions, infrastructure,
and construction are weighing their options in
the GCC water industry. Some of these group
companies are already active in the bidding
process. Their domestic setups, know-how
of legislative and bureaucratic structure make
them potential partners for business.
SUSTAINED GROWTH OF THE GCC
WATER MARKET ENOUGH SPACE
FOR EVERYONE
The GCC is leading the MENA bandwagon
by taking decisive measures to improve water
management. Increasing investments across
the value chain imply there is room for both
domestic and international companies, in-
cluding medium-small OEMs (original equip-
ment manufacturer), local fabricators, EPC
(Engineering, Procurement and Construction)
contractors, design and engineering compa-
nies and consultants.
Frost & Sullivan analysis reveals that be-Pipe dream: water scarcity has forced Middle Eastern nations to innovate and direct water where needed,
such as Jordans North-South Water Conveyor
Wastewater recycling and reuse is expected to increase up until 2015, with ZLD taking off from 2016
-
Creative Finance
19October/November | 2012www.wwinternational.com
GEFCO, INC. an Astec Industries Company
2215 SOUTH VAN BUREN ENID, OKLAHOMA, USA 73703 PHONE +1 580.234.4141 [email protected] [email protected] www.gefco.com
The GEFCO 50K, has 50,000 lbs. (22,679 kg) of top head hoist. A wide mast and table allow this drill to handle large casing loads associated with shallow municipal water wells and deep residential water wells with ease. The GEFCO 50K features a single rod loader for quick and safe connections and an air operated
compressor clutch for fuel savings and noise reduction during times when air is not needed.
For Info. http://wwi.hotims.com RS# 11
Zero LiquidDischarge (ZLD)
2000-2010 2011-2015 2016-2020
Wate
r Tre
atm
ent
Waste
wate
r Tre
atm
ent
Desalination Plants
Water NetworkTransmission &
Distribution
Independent Waterand Power Projects
(IWPP)
Smart WaterMetering & Network
Leak Detection,Network Repairs
Solar and HybridDesalination
Produced WaterTreatment Wastewater &
Sewerage Treatment
Sewerage Network& Collection
Wastewater Recyclingand Reuse
Figure 1. Water Industry in GCC - Technology Adoption Timeline
tween 2010 and 2012 the GCC has witnessed growth rates between
14 20% across various segments of the water and wastewater in-
dustry, including treatment equipment and chemicals.
Growth is expected to remain steady with the industry looking to
continue to adopt global best practices in the long term. Moving for-
ward, focus on improving eff ciency and creating accountability could
lead to the market opening up for integrat-
ed services and networks, with opportuni-
ties also arising in associated services such
as smart metering, leak detection, and inte-
grated solutions.
In the next f ve years, the GCC can ex-
pect numerous technology options for de-
salination, water and wastewater treatment.
However, it will be in the best interest of the
governments and water agencies to have a
far-sighted approach and assess the situa-
tion well, so as to take informed decisions.
WWi
Author note: Kshitij Nilkanth is pro-
gram Manager, environment and building
technologies practice, Middle East and
North Africa for industry analysts Frost
& Sullivan. For more information email:
[email protected]/[email protected].
In February 2013 Qatar will host the second WaterWorld Mid-
dle East Conference and Exhibition, focusing on topics such
as wastewater reuse and smart water management. For more
information please visit: www.waterworldmiddleeast.com
Enquiry No. 103
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20 October/November | 2012 www.wwinternational.com
Green Infrastructure
20 www.wwinternational.com
If you play the time-honoured game of random association, so fa-
voured by Freud and his army of followers, and throw in the word
Cannes, what responses might you generate? Sun-kissed
beaches? The Promenade de la Croissette? The citys glitzy an-
nual f lm festival? Certainly all three would be likely to loom large
on any list.
Now, many people might will say that the worlds f rst carbon-
neutral wastewater treatment plant seems an unlikely candidate for
inclusion and besides, the phrase doesnt exactly f ow from the
tongue. But if Bernard Brochand, the citys Mayor, has anything to do
with it, all of that is about to change. For he has embraced a notion
which he describes as industrial or technical tourism with an almost
evangelical fever of which even the most ardent ecologist would be
rightly proud.
Does this mean that people are going to ditch the beach and
spend their time to come and visit our beautiful new Aquaviva facil-
ity?, he enquires rhetorically. Certainly not. But I can tell you one
thing, they might very well end up spending some time on both.
Together with Yann Rolland, deputy CEO of Lyonnaise des Eaux,
the dynamic duo have been unveiling their dream in incremental
phases the plant only becoming fully operational a month or so ago.
The Aquaviva facility is indeed a world f rst in terms of its carbon-
neutrality, its treatment processes based on membrane technology,
and is so eff cient in its design and conception that there are no
greenhouse gas emissions whatsoever.
This is achieved through a series of ambitious and innovative tech-
nical f rsts, including the introduction of bacteria to remove pollutants
such as phosphorous and centrifugation to dispose of sludge.
Designed to treat up to 88,000 m3 per hour and serving a popula-
tion of around 300,000 the building also happens to be quite beauti-
ful, covered with vegetal walls and harmoniously integrated into the
already luscious landscape of the Cote dAzur.
Nor is this a pilot project, Rolland is eager to point out. It can be
rolled out at other sites on a similar scale or, more importantly, with-
out waiting to evaluate the performance of this facility. The plant can
be duplicated immediately. Consequently, as part of its new engage-
ment for 2012-2016, Lyonnaise des Eaux will neutralize the green-
house gas emissions of 10 new facilities by 2016.
Rolland adds how the Aquaviva project has helped raise the bar
when it comes to environmental protection.
Controlling greenhouse gas emissions has become a key envi-
ronmental concern for local authorities, he says. Initially emission
control was done on a proactive basis but since the completion of the
Aquaviva project, it has become a statutory requirement: under the
Grenelle II Act, local communities in France with more than 50,000
inhabitants are now legally required to produce climate and energy
plans for their communities.
There is thus huge potential for sanitation services to play their
part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in local communi