Water: The blue gold of our time
While oil was once considered the "black gold," it is now clear: Water is the true key substance for the survival of our species. Yet, despite its apparent abundance in Europe, clean, drinkable water is no longer a given. Global reserves are under pressure – climate change, overpopulation, and pollution are driving the demand for innovative water treatment solutions.
This is where modern technologies come into play to purify water and make it efficiently and sustainably usable. The focus is on membrane filtration, chemical/biological treatment processes, and particularly innovative electrochemical methods to clean water when conventional methods reach their limits.
The Aral Sea, 2000-2018 – Source: NASA
Water scarcity: it affects us all
According to the UNESCO World Water Assessment haben heute über more than 2.2 billion people today do not have secure access to clean drinking water.But it’s not just developing countries that are affected:
- In Europe major cities struggle with outdated pipeline systems and increasing microplastic contamination.
- In the USA scandals like Flint, Michigan, show that even industrialized nations are not immune to water crises.
- Worldwide, agriculture consumes around 70% of available freshwater – with dramatic consequences for groundwater reserves.
One of the most drastic examples of human-induced water crises is the Aral Sea in Central Asia. Once one of the world's largest inland waters, it is now almost completely dried up – a result of decades of misguided irrigation policiesThe lake vividly demonstrates what happens if water is not used sustainably..
Modern water treatment: Much more than just "filtering"
Modern water treatment means far more than simple filtration. Depending on the type of contamination and the specific application, numerous processes are used, often simultaneously in the processing stages of a treatment project:
- Physical processes (filtration, sedimentation, flotation, adsorption)
- Chemical processes (oxidation, precipitation, coagulation, ion exchange)
- Biological processes (activated sludge process, biological filters, constructed wetlands)
- Thermal processes (distillation, multi-stage flash distillation)
- Membrane processes (reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration)
- Hybrid processes (UV disinfection with oxidation, membrane bioreactors)
- Electrochemical processes (electrolysis, electrocoagulation, capacitive deionization)
Modern plants often rely on electrochemical processes such as boron-doped diamond electrodes (BDD)to eliminate contaminants that cannot be broken down by conventional methods. This is particularly relevant in the degradation of PFAS ("forever chemicals") – highly toxic substances that contaminate drinking water worldwide..
The BDD technology with flow cells from pro aqua is one of the leading solutions for industrial applications due to its specific properties and durability when dealing with highly contaminated wastewater.
Industry & Environment: Transformation in the water sector
Many industries face the challenge of meeting legal environmental regulations to use water more sustainably. These include:
- Airports: PFAS contamination from firefighting foams
- Hospitals & pharmaceutical industry: Drug residues in wastewater
- Food production: High microbial load from organic substances
In addition, solutions like the pro aqua WCD2 (Water Cleaning Disinfection Device) enable automated disinfection of process water, e.g., in medical technology. This reduces the use of chemicals, protects water resources, and ensures greater safety.
Wasseraufbereitung: Schlüssel zur Zukunft
Without a comprehensive improvement in water treatment, global water problems will continue to escalate. The combination of innovative technologies and sustainable concepts is the only way to combat water scarcity in the long term.
Learn more about sustainable water treatment with pro aqua technology now: 👉 www.proaqua.at/en
