Download Danish water technology in Hungary

Danish water technology in Hungary
- purified drinking water using only natural processes
12,000 inhabitants in the town of Tolna in Hungary 135 km south of Budapest are enjoying
pure drinking water from a new water utility. The water utility is the first of its kind in
Hungary, using no chemicals to make the water drinkable. The solution is supplied by
EUROWATER.
Tolna waterworks from the outside
Drinking water
Water purification is the removal of contaminants from untreated water to produce drinking water that is pure
enough for human consumption.
World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines are generally followed throughout the world for drinking water
quality requirements. In addition to the WHO guidelines, each country or territory can have their own
standards. In the European countries the EC directive on drinking water must be followed.
In general the selection of treatment method is greatly related to the water source available and to the
standards set out by the local authorities. The following table shows different water sources, their related
water treatment method as well as the level of complexity, costs and environmental impact.
Water source
Sea water
Surface water
(lakes, swamps, rivers)
Ground water
Water treatment method
Desalination.
Process of removing salts from the
water using reverse osmosis
Chemical and mechanical treatment.
Flocculation, sedimentation, filtration
and disinfection using chemicals for
coagulation and disinfection.
Chemical treatment.
Pre-chlorination, dosing of oxidation
chemicals and sand filtration
Natural processes.
Treatment using only atmospheric air
and filtration in pressure filters
Complexity
and costs
Environmental
impact
High
High
High
High
Medium to high
High
Low to medium
Low to medium
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The case will show how ground water in Hungary was turned into drinking water using only air – a method
with low environmental impact as well as low complexity and low costs.
The EUROWATER way: Purify drinking water using only natural processes
The standard model – chemical treatment
Historically, all drinking water in Hungary is produced using a treatment process of dosing oxidation
chemicals followed by sand filtration. The chemicals widely used are sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl),
potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and chlorine gas (Cl2).
The Danish model – a chemical free solution
In Denmark the drinking water quality requirements are even tougher than the requirements in the EC
directive. The available water source is 100% ground water. The water treatment method used in Denmark is
based on a philosophy using only natural processes such as oxidation and filtration.
For 75 years, EUROWATER has manufactured and supplied pressure filters for water purification.
In the EUROWATER standard programme, the raw water is oxidized with atmospheric air to aid the filtration
process inside a pressure filter with sufficient filter media – individually designed for the project. The
EUROWATER pressure filters are designed specially for the drinking water treatment.
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Benefits using a chemical free solution
If designed properly, the chemical solution as well as the chemical free solution will do the job: produce
drinking water!
However, there are some very clear benefits using only oxidation and filtration for producing drinking water:
• Good working environment. The working environment is very safe without the handling and storage of
dangerous chemicals.
• No wastewater problems. EUROWATER pressure filters are designed for low wash water consumption
and the rinse water is not harmful. Therefore, there are no risks of effluent water with traces of chemicals.
• Completely safe operation. No risk of residual chemicals in the drinking water.
• Ease of use. Dosing of chemicals requires a very demanding operation and attendance as well as
controlling and monitoring.
The Tolna project
The water source in Tolna is ground water from 60 meters deep well. The water contains some impurities
that must be removed in order to meet the standards in the EC directive, including iron, manganese,
hydrogen sulphide, and ammonium.
EUROWATER has designed, manufactured and installed the water treatment for the new water utility in
Tolna. The solution consists of two parallel lines - with a capacity each of 50 m³/h – in order to ensure safe
and reliable operation.
Right side: Aeration system consisting of
compressors.
Left side: Air blower for high quality backwash.
Parameter
Unit
Iron
Manganese
Ammonium
mg Fe/l
mg Mn/l
mg NH4/l
Filtration system with pressure filters from
EUROWATER
Ground water
1.7
0.45
0.5
Quality
requirements
[EC directive]
0.2
0.05
0.5
Drinking water
after treatment
0.02
0.01
0.1
The commissioning of the water treatment was performed in the beginning of 2012. The status is that the
water quality has been very good and meets by far the required standards. We believe that Hungary will see
more chemical free solutions in water utilities in future.
More information
For more information about water treatment and your local EUROWATER Company, please visit
www.eurowater.com or contact marketing manager Jens O. Gjerløff, [email protected]
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