AquaNES demonstrated and assessed various cNES in 13 sites in Europe, India and Israel. The technical set-ups (Fig. 2) were operated and monitored for 12 to 24 months. The involved companies and utilities gained comprehensive datasets and insights into long-term operation and cost implications. They collected valuable experiences and consolidated the basis for considering and promoting cNES as options in their product portfolio or investment programs.
Towards a more resilient drinking water production by BF we found bank filtrate a suitable feed for membranes with reduced cost compared to surface water use (lower energy and chemicals use). Nanofiltration of anoxic bank filtrate proved feasible and can be recommended for partial flow treatment containing specific contamination, e.g. sulfate or certain OMPs. The use of ultrafiltration for full-stream treatment seems a viable option for bank filtrate with short travel times or in case of space limitations. Recommendations for operators (D1.6) summarise these experiences and are complemented by a structured approach for RA and decision support for BF design & operation (D1.4). An Excel-based tool supports the design of energy-saving siphon wells (D1.3&D1.5). A guide towards their application is provided in the AquaNES DSS (D6.4).
The effectiveness and robustness of a solar-powered in-situ electro-chlorination system for disinfection of bank filtrate was demonstrated in two Indian sites. The SME concerned will promote and commercialise this concept worldwide with first replication cases already realised in Africa.
On OMP abatement, the oxidative processes were effective when treating surface water and WWTP effluent respectively before soil infiltration. In wastewater treatment, CW performed similar to technical filtration systems in post-treating ozonated effluent. Knowledge derived from these sites enabled the concerned utilities and companies
–to optimise ozonation using a closed-loop control
–to specify the design of a full-scale ozonation plant to be built in the next 3 years
–to develop new treatment trains for drinking water production or indirect potable reuse in the European and U.S. market, with e.g. the UV/H2O2 process as barrier against OMP with no bromate formation issues
The Retention Soil Filterplus to flexibly treat combined sewer overflow or WWTP effluent was implemented in full-scale supported by the project results on OMP, nutrient and microbial removal. The utility will further promote the treatment concept within the German and international water sector with future results from long-term testing.
For another demosite we developed a tailored ICT tool for optimised operation of a MAR scheme. It facilitates the integrated monitoring, modelling and control of the system in dependence of environmental factors: groundwater levels, groundwater quality, infiltration rate. (D2.3&D2.4). The exploiting company will further collaborate with the local stakeholders towards a long-term implementation, and acquisition of follow-up projects.
Next to treatment solutions, AquaNES developed tools and methods to assist planners, utilities and authorities in assessing cNES more comprehensively.
AquaNES results were shared with the scientific and end-user community on conferences and workshops. Consortium partners presented project output in 42 talks at 27 different events and exhibited 17 posters at 9 events. 19 peer-reviewed publications emerged from the work. We organised two stakeholder workshops and a final dissemination event to discuss the project results with practitioners, policy and the public.
