NIIST develops process to treat well waterPlant treats water contaminated with perchlorate, generates 2,000 litres of potable water dailyThe CSI...
Published on by Trudi Schifter, CEO and Founder AquaSPE
Plant treats water contaminated with perchlorate, generates 2,000 litres of potable water daily
The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) here has come up with a hybrid process for treating well water contaminated with perchlorate. Perchlorate contamination poses health risks as it can affect the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism and associated physiological disorders.
The NIIST has established a demonstration plant at Keezhmad panchayat in Aluva, Ernakulam district, which is capable of treating contaminated well water and generating 2,000 litres of potable water a day. The treatment process was developed by a team led by Krishnakumar B., Senior Principal Scientist with the NIIST's Environmental Technology Division.
A strong oxidising agent, perchlorate salts find wide use in many industries, including the strategic sector and space research and development units. The NIIST developed the hybrid process (bio-physical) as conventional treatment methods scarcely work. The project was funded by the Jal Jeevan Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
How it works
The contaminated water is initially treated in a bioreactor with a specially developed bacterial system. It then passes through a combination of custom-designed ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) units for removing residual contaminants. It’s also a zero-discharge process as the UF and RO rejects too get treated in the bioreactor.
According to the NIIST, studies carried out by it during 2009-2015 had revealed high levels of perchlorate in well water samples around the Ammonium Perchlorate Experimental Plant, Aluva. Contamination was observed in the Keezhmad and Edathala panchayats. In the community wells at Kulakkad in Keezhmad panchayat, perchlorate levels up to 45,000 micrograms per litre had been observed.
Attached link
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/niist-develops-process-to-treat-well-water/article38282958.eceTaxonomy
- Water Wells