PUMPS PUMP ENGINEERING EXPERTISE
SULZER
Helping water utilities meet the global rise in demand for potable water and reduce costs
Making clean , safe drinking water widely available is one of human society ’ s greatest priorities . 90 % of the world ’ s population currently has access to at least a basic source of potable water , and 71 % of people enjoy a managed supply of clean water to their homes1 . With the aim to further increase availability while controlling costs , utilities are continually investing to expand , upgrade and improve their networks , operations and maintenance processes .
Antonio De La Torre , Business Development Manager Clean Water at Sulzer , looks at how innovative technology can be used to improve water supplies
Reliable water supplies are often taken for granted . This is highlighted by significant disruptions of more than a few hours being noteworthy enough to receive widespread media coverage . Anyone connected to the industry is well aware , however , that reliable , high quality potable water supplies require plenty of effort behind the scenes .
In the coming decades , the tasks of upgrading networks and improving supplies are likely to become even more challenging . Overall water demand has been rising at around 1 % a year since the 1980s , driven by population growth and increasing standards of living .
That trend is expected to continue , resulting in a 30 % rise in demand by the middle of this century2 . Increasing urbanization , meanwhile , will lead to much higher needs in fast-growing cities and towns . Meeting that demand is placing greater pressure on the supply side , stretching the capacity of water treatment and storage infrastructure while driving regions to identify new water sources .
COST , QUALITY AND RELIABILITY
In addition to the supply / demand challenge , water companies also know that they have an important role to play in the long-term protection of the environment . That requires steps to minimize the consumption of energy and materials , as well as reducing the impact of chemicals and waste streams .
The move to globally aligned water quality standards is sharpening the focus on treatment effectiveness and strong process control . Companies also need to achieve all these things while maintaining strict financial discipline , with the aim of making potable water as inexpensive as possible for consumers .
Meeting these complex , and sometimes conflicting , requirements is a significant technical and business challenge . It requires water industry players to continually explore innovative new approaches , refine proven technologies and work collaboratively with contractors as well as equipment providers to develop robust , cost-effective and flexible solutions .
132 PECM Issue 52