Of all the markets for ultraviolet processes, municipal wastewater disinfection is the largest and fastest growing segment.
In order to protect public health and the environment it is imperative to disinfect sewage effluent after traditional biological purification. Wastewater is treated at central treatment plants and discharged into rivers, lakes, streams or oceans at one or only a few discharge points. The result is a disproportionate burden on the receiving waters flora and fauna, especially fish and shellfish beds. Undisinfected effluent can result in reduced, eliminated or contaminated fauna populations. It can also endanger human health through direct contact activities such as swimming or water sports and indirectly through the disruption of the ecosystem.
Previously, chlorine disinfection was the preferred method for protecting the public health. Unfortunately, this does not protect the ecosystem due to the harmful addition of chlorine to the environment and the generation of byproducts as the chlorine reacts with wastewater constituents. UV, on the other hand, inactivates potentially harmful microorganisms without adding any chemicals to the wastewater (and therefore the environment). Driving the growth of this market is the addition of UV to previously undisinfected sewage effluents as well as the conversion of chlorine disinfection facilities to the safer and environmentally friendly UV alternative.
Improvements in Municipal Waste Water are considered an environmental friendly or "Green" initiative, and qualify for Infrastructure Canada financial incentives for municipalities. Contact Canadian Air & Water to find out more about how your municipality can qualify for these important waste water improvements.
Municipal Waste Water - UV Disinfection
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Urban effluents affect both human and ecosystem health. The effluent components can be chemical, physical, or biological in nature, and their impacts include changes in aquatic habitats and species composition, decreases in biodiversity, impaired use of recreational waters and shellfish harvesting areas, and contaminated drinking water.
These impacts all lead to a less valuable environment, a less prosperous economy, and, ultimately, a diminished quality of life.
