Advanced water treatment technologies can help build resilience
World Water Week is upon us. Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute, the event brings together experts, policymakers, innovators, and organizations from around the world to find solutions to the world’s most pressing water-related concerns. The event covers a wide range of topics, including water scarcity, climate change, sanitation, and the role of water in sustainable development ─ all of which are pressing issues in Peru.
Like many regions, Peru faces these challenges primarily because its diverse geography and climate result in uneven water distribution across the country. While the coastal regions are arid and deal with severe water scarcity, the Amazon basin in the east has abundant rainfall.
However, the infrastructure and management needed to efficiently use and distribute this water are lacking. Rapid urbanization, climate change, and pollution are exacerbating Peru’s water crisis. According to UNOPS, more than 55% of the Peruvian population resides on the coast, yet they have access to less than 2% of the country’s water supply. As a result, many rural and marginalized communities lack access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation.
Water and Wastewater Troubles Near Industrial Operations
While water scarcity is a concern in many regions of Peru, it is particularly chronic in its industrial regions, where rapid urbanization and economic activities are putting immense pressure on limited water resources. Industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing are major water consumers, often competing with local communities for limited resources.
Mining, in particular, is a significant contributor to water scarcity. The extraction process requires vast amounts of water, and the resulting pollution can contaminate water sources with toxic heavy metals, making them unusable for drinking or agriculture.
Peru has taken steps to address its water management issues through a combination of regulatory measures and national initiatives aimed at improving governance and sustainability. These initiatives include the 2009 Water Resources Law, which prioritizes the sustainable use of water, promotes the conservation of watersheds, and seeks to balance the needs of different users, including agriculture, industry, and domestic consumers. However, enforcement remains a challenge, especially in rural and remote areas.
The Role of Advanced Water Treatment Solutions
Advanced water treatment technologies are critical for ensuring the availability of clean water for drinking, industrial use, and environmental sustainability. These technologies employ sophisticated processes to remove contaminants, improve water quality, and manage resources more efficiently. Some of the key treatment technologies used in industrial applications like mining include:
- Reverse osmosis: Reverse osmosis is a widely used technology for desalination and purification of water that removes dissolved salts, minerals, and other impurities. Water is forced through a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass while blocking contaminants. Reverse osmosis produces high-quality water, reducing the reliance on freshwater sources.
- Seawater reverse osmosis: SWRO is used to remove salts and minerals from seawater to produce high-quality potable water or industrial process water. This sustainable alternative water supply reduces the demand on natural freshwater sources and can provide a lifeline in water-stressed regions.
- Membrane bioreactors: MBR technology combines biological treatment with membrane filtration. The process uses microorganisms to break down organic matter in wastewater, followed by membrane filtration to separate clean water from solids. MBR produces high-quality effluent suitable for reuse. Its compact design is especially useful where space is limited and high-quality effluent is required.
- Dissolved air flotation: DAF is a clarification process that removes suspended solids, oils, and other contaminants. It works by dissolving air in water under pressure and then releasing it in a flotation tank, where tiny bubbles attach to particles and float them to the surface for removal. DAF is highly effective at removing oils and suspended solids. It is also cost-efficient for large-scale industrial operations.
Industrial Water Treatment in Action: Miski Mayo Phosphate Mine
The Miski Mayou phosphate mine’s upgraded DAF system increased feed water quality by 80%, enabling the plant to treat 8 million GPD of seawater and reducing reliance on natural sources.
The Miski Mayo phosphate mine in Sechura, Peru, faced significant water management issues, including a limited water supply, environmental impact from mining activities, and the need for a sustainable, reliable water source to support ongoing operations. Seven Seas Water Group implemented an upgraded water treatment system that combined SWRO with DAF and brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO).
The enhancement of the DAF system led to an 80% improvement in the quality of the feed water entering the reverse osmosis process. The upgraded plant can now treat approximately 8 million GPD (30,000 m³/d) of seawater, producing 2.8 million GPD (10,400 m³/d) of industrial water through SWRO, and 33,000 GPD (125 m³/d) of potable water through BWRO, supplying drinking water to about 2,000 mine workers.
By reducing the demand on natural sources, this combination of treatment technologies has significantly improved the mine’s operational resilience against water shortages and reduced its environmental impact, ensuring the sustainability of the mine’s activities.
Sustainable Water Management and Environmental Benefits
By adopting advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies, mining operations can mitigate the environmental impacts of water scarcity and pollution. The Miski Mayo phosphate mine serves as a model for sustainable mining practices, demonstrating how innovative solutions can enhance operational resilience while protecting precious freshwater resources.
Through strategic implementation of these technologies, mining regions worldwide can reduce their environmental footprint, promote water conservation, and ensure reliable water supplies. This not only strengthens the sustainability of mining operations but also contributes to broader global efforts to protect our planet and manage resources responsibly.
Contact Seven Seas to learn more about our advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies and how they can help build resilience to water scarcity and enhance environmental sustainability.
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