Water reclamation and recovery
Reclaiming water from wastewater
What is water reclamation?
Wastewater reclamation, also known as wastewater reuse, water reuse, water recycling or water recovery is the process of converting municipal wastewater (sewage) or industrial wastewater into water that can be reused for a variety of purposes. This process involves several treatment steps, including physical, chemical, and biological treatments. Types of reuse include urban reuse, agricultural reuse (irrigation), environmental reuse, industrial reuse, planned potable reuse, and de facto wastewater reuse.
The importance of water recovery: Every drop counts
With growing population and climate change, water becomes a valuable resource. Treated sewage can be reclaimed to restore aquifers or as irrigation water where water is scarce.
By reusing treated wastewater, production facilities can increase water efficiency and cut back on tap-water dependency. When recovering biogas, water and even nutrients, wastewater treatment plants can be turned into water resource factories.
Water reclamation systems
Water reclamation systems are advanced treatment processes designed to purify wastewater so it can be reused for various purposes. These technologies play a crucial role in sustainable water management by treating and recycling water that would otherwise be discharged into the environment.
Membrane Bio Reactor
LUCAS® Submerged MBR and LUCAS® Crossflow MBR are our proprietary membrane bio-reactor (MBR) wastewater treatment technologies for municipal and industrial wastewater allowing the filtrate to be ready for reuse. To obtain safe potable drinking water quality, LUCAS® MBR technology can be integrated in a membrane AQUALITY® Reverse Osmosis solution.
Membrane filtration
Where the treatment process design does not include MBR technology, the combination of AQUALITY® ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis will guarantee process or drinking water from industrial bio-effluent, treated in a conventional wastewater treatment process.
Non-membrane effluent polishing
Even without implementing MBR or membrane technology, tertiary treatment and effluent polishing allow treated municipal waste water to restore groundwater level, for reuse in agriculture, or for further treatment into safe drinking water.
We design cradle-to-gate conventional quality water production facilities with process steps including abstraction, iron removal, softening, filtering, ion exchange, activated carbon to disinfection: all steps needed for the production of quality drinking water or to restore groundwater level and for reuse in agriculture.
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Frequently asked questions
What is reclaimed water?
Reclaimed water, also known as wastewater reuse, water reuse, or water recycling, is the process of converting municipal wastewater (sewage) or industrial wastewater into water that can be reused for a variety of purposes. This process involves several treatment steps, including physical, chemical, and biological treatments.
Is reclaimed water safe?
Reclaimed water that has been treated to appropriate standards is considered safe for its intended use. However, it’s important to note that the safety of reclaimed water depends on the level of treatment it undergoes and its intended use. For instance, reclaimed water used for irrigation may not need to meet the same stringent treatment standards as reclaimed water intended for potable use.
Can water recovery reduce the cost for your industry?
Water recovery systems can lead to substantial cost savings for industries. By recycling water, companies can reduce their water acquisition costs, lower their spending on water treatment, and decrease their discharge fees. In the long term, investing in water recovery technologies can provide a significant return on investment through reduced operational costs.
What is water recovery and its importance?
Water recovery is the process of treating and reusing wastewater, crucial for combating water scarcity amid climate change and population growth. Waterleau leads in offering advanced solutions, like LUCAS® MBR and AQUALITY® Reverse Osmosis, making treated sewage safe for restoring aquifers or irrigation, promoting sustainable water use.
What are the benefits of Water Recovery Systems in Industrial operations
Conservation of Water Resources: With the growing global population and climate change impacts, water scarcity is becoming a more pressing issue. Water recovery helps conserve water by treating and reusing wastewater, reducing the demand on fresh water resources. This is particularly important in water-stressed regions where industries compete with agriculture and domestic needs for limited water supplies.
Compliance with Environmental Regulations: Governments and environmental agencies around the world are implementing stricter regulations on industrial water use and wastewater discharge. By adopting water recovery and reuse practices, industries can comply with these regulations, avoid penalties, and even benefit from incentives for sustainable water management practices.
Enhanced Corporate Sustainability and Reputation: Engaging in water recovery demonstrates a commitment to sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship. This can improve a company's reputation among consumers, investors, and regulatory bodies, which is increasingly important in a market where sustainability is a significant factor in consumer choices.
Reduced Dependency on Local Water Supplies: By recycling and reusing water, industries can decrease their reliance on local water resources. This is particularly advantageous in areas where water availability is seasonal or subject to variability due to climate change. It ensures a more stable and secure water supply for industrial processes.
Improved Wastewater Quality: Water recovery processes often involve advanced treatment technologies that can remove contaminants more effectively than standard treatment methods. This not only allows the water to be reused within the industrial processes but also ensures that any discharge into the environment is cleaner, thus protecting local ecosystems.
Resource Recovery: Some water recovery technologies enable the recovery of valuable by-products, such as metals, nutrients, and energy (in the form of biogas, for example), from wastewater. This can provide additional revenue streams or savings for industries.
Innovation and Technological Advancement: Investing in water recovery drives technological innovation and development. It encourages industries to adopt advanced treatment technologies and to find more efficient ways of managing water use, which can lead to broader environmental and economic benefits.
How does Waterleau's technology advance water recovery efforts?
Waterleau's proprietary technologies, including LUCAS® Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) and AQUALITY® Reverse Osmosis, are at the forefront of treating municipal and industrial wastewater. These solutions ensure the filtrate is ready for various reuse applications, contributing to significant water efficiency improvements and tap-water dependency reductions.
Is reused wastewater safe?
Absolutely. Waterleau's water recovery processes, featuring advanced MBR technology and reverse osmosis, rigorously purify wastewater to meet safe potable water standards. Our commitment to safety and sustainability ensures that reused water is clean, safe, and beneficial for multiple uses.
Addressing climate change with water recovery technologies
Waterleau's innovative solutions are designed to meet the challenges of climate change head-on. Our technologies ensure sustainable water management and recovery practices, affirming our leadership in environmental conservation and resilience building.
Waterleau's water reclamation facilities and cases
Water Recovery at Belgium's largest retailer
A capex-free upgrade for Martens Brewery
A new treatment strategy materialized in an out-of-the-box approach and a long-term partnership.
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