Water Project of the Year
Orly Drinking Water Plant, France
What is it?
A 50,000m3/d upgrade and expansion to one of the largest water treatment plants in the Paris area. The project has both increased treatment capacity and modernised the processes used to provide the city with high-quality drinking water.
Who is involved?
Stéreau, part of Saur Group, was responsible for delivering the solution to Eau de Paris, with the Paris public authority financing the $1.8 million expansion. Working in direct contact with Stéreau, equipment specialist Xylem managed the upgrade project independently and was responsible for supplying Flygt and Lowara pumps, and Wedeco ozone and UV systems.
What makes it special?
Xylem took on a comprehensive and pivotal role in delivering the upgrade to the Orly drinking water plant, from providing proprietary treatment and analytics technologies to pumping systems and tailor-made control cabinets. Direct communication between the client and solution provider enabled the efficient delivery of a fully integrated treatment train producing drinking water to an excellent standard.
Reduced power consumption was a crucial component of the upgrade, with the new pump station employing Xylem’s Flygt brand submersible pumps with high motor efficiency. The installation of enhanced analytics systems and sensors contributed to an expansion project which offered both premium technology and a reduction in operating costs.
The project expertly fused the existing infrastructure with a new pump station and Xylem’s disinfection expertise. Consisting of optimised ozonation alongside a new UV treatment step from the company’s Wedeco brand, these processes have significantly upgraded the tertiary capabilities of the facility. By demonstrating a holistic approach to the design of the upgrade and the technologies installed, the project has successfully strengthened the resilience of drinking water treatment and supply for the Paris area.
Distinction
Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling, USA
What is it?
A 53,000m3/d advanced treatment facility recycling water to recharge groundwater aquifers in the San Gabriel Valley, California. The plant fulfils a vital role in boosting local resilience against drought.
Who is involved?
The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) owns the plant, with operations carried out by PERC Water Corporation, with design-build activities contributed by JF Shea and Tetra Tech. Funding for the $130 million facility came from a number of parties including the State Water Resources Control Board, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Bureau of Reclamation. Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis systems were supplied by Biwater, with Toray Membrane USA providing the membranes. Trojan Technologies supplied the UV and sodium hypochlorite advanced oxidation system.
What makes it special?
The advanced treatment processes used at the Albert Robles Center (ARC) have pioneered the use of UV and sodium hypochlorite oxidation for the application of groundwater remediation. In addition to ensuring that the site exceeds California’s stringent water quality standards, the use of sodium hypochlorite offers lower operating costs and better safety assurances than the traditional hydrogen peroxide.
As a direct result of the new advanced treatment plant, water imports from Northern California and the Colorado River are no longer required to replenish the area’s groundwater supply. More than 12 million m3 of water is treated annually for indirect potable reuse to recharge the San Gabriel Valley groundwater aquifers. The plant is also able to optimise the advantages of its location in Pico Rivera through its proximity to an existing pipeline.
The ARC is a critical element of the WRD’s wider Water Independence Now program, which endeavours to establish a locally sustainable water supply for Southern California and increase resilience to drought. Since gaining its permits to begin delivering treated water to the Montebello Forebay Spreading Grounds in February 2020, the ARC has been able to realise its full potential of preserving Southern California’s groundwater reserves.