Feb. 21, 2008 -- Koch Membrane Systems (KMS) has announced the first municipal order for its PURON® submerged membrane modules in Spain. Sited at Ontígola in the province of Toledo in the central region of the country, the membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant is being built by Aqualia Infraestructuras to process wastewater from the local business park for use in both the agricultural irrigation scheme and the nearby Mar de Ontígola nature reserve.
The new plant will process 1200 cubic metres of wastewater per day after it is commissioned in May 2008. Ontígola Business Park consists of a mixture of office and light industrial units. This scheme is part of a growing trend to increase water reuse and make the most of this limited resource in the semi-arid areas of Southern Europe.
The importance of making the most of central Spain's water is clear, given the generally held belief that traditionally dry areas are going to get drier in the future. But the investment in MBR technology is also a demonstration of the local authority's commitment to dealing with the situation in an environmentally sensitive manner by assisting local farmers and the environment at the same time.
The Reserva del Regajal-Mar de Ontígola was granted nature reserve status in 1994. Its 635 hectares of wetland are home to a number of important species including rare butterflies that are in danger of extinction.
The adoption of PURON technology by a number of major European OEMs is evidence of its growing acceptance in the European market. PURON already has a track record in Spain where it is in operation at reference sites that involve landfill leachate treatment and food industry applications.
Aqualia Infraestructuras, S.A. is an Aqualia company specialising in the design and construction of all types of water processing facilities: purification, urban sewage water processing, reclamation and desalination, in addition to channelling fresh and sewage water.
Koch Membrane Systems Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art membrane cartridges and elements, as well as complete membrane systems.
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