VISITA TÉCNICA EPAR - SANASA CAMPINAS

Summary

In this video, the speaker takes viewers on a tour of the Capivari 2 Water Reuse Production Station in Campinas, showcasing how the facility treats wastewater to create high-quality reclaimed water. Unlike conventional effluent treatment plants, this advanced system uses innovative membrane filtration and biological processes to remove organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms. The treated water is then reused for various purposes such as street cleaning, park irrigation, and fire-fighting. The process, fully automated and efficient, ensures a sustainable approach to water management while significantly improving the quality of the water and even the local river's ecosystem.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Capivari Two Water Reuse Station treats wastewater to a much higher quality than conventional treatment plants, making the water suitable for various reuse purposes.
• 😀 Water produced here is used for street cleaning, irrigation of parks and gardens, and firefighting, significantly reducing the need for potable water.
• 😀 The station uses advanced membrane filtration technology, which ensures that even the smallest impurities are removed from the water.
• 😀 Unlike conventional wastewater treatment plants, this station does not require decantation tanks, as membrane filtration is more effective at removing contaminants.
• 😀 The pre-treatment process includes mechanical grating and sand removal, all automated to minimize the need for manual labor.
• 😀 In the treatment process, the wastewater undergoes anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic stages to remove phosphorus, ammonia, and organic matter, ensuring thorough purification.
• 😀 The aeration tanks use compressed air to promote aerobic decomposition of organic matter, resulting in clean water with minimal odor.
• 😀 The station also employs ultrafiltration membranes, with pores smaller than a human hair, which trap harmful microorganisms, colloids, and other contaminants.
• 😀 The membrane filtration system is periodically cleaned using sodium hypochlorite and citric acid to maintain efficiency and prevent clogging.
• 😀 After treatment, the water produced has a quality superior to the original wastewater and is suitable for various non-potable uses, including in construction projects and municipal applications.
• 😀 The treated water is sent to underground and elevated reservoirs for distribution, and any excess is released into the Capivari River, improving the river's water quality.

Q & A

What is the main difference between a conventional wastewater treatment plant and a water reuse production station?

The main difference is that a water reuse production station treats wastewater to a much higher quality level. The water produced is reused for activities like street cleaning, irrigation, and firefighting, whereas conventional wastewater treatment primarily removes organic matter and nutrients.

How does the pre-treatment process in the water reuse station differ from conventional wastewater treatment stations?

In the water reuse station, pre-treatment is much more efficient, using advanced membrane filtration technology. This system is more robust, completely automated, and eliminates the need for manual intervention, unlike conventional stations that often use primary settling tanks.

Why are membranes used for filtration in the water reuse station?

Membranes are used for filtration because they have very fine pores that can remove even the smallest impurities, such as colloids, microorganisms, and pathogens. This results in a water quality suitable for reuse in various applications like firefighting and irrigation.

What types of contaminants are removed during the biological treatment process in the water reuse station?

During the biological treatment process, the station removes organic matter and nutrients such as phosphorus, ammonia, and other substances that contribute to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems.

What is the role of the anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic chambers in the treatment process?

The anaerobic chamber removes phosphorus, the anoxic chamber removes ammonia, and the aerobic chamber removes organic matter. These chambers work sequentially, with each one optimizing the removal of specific contaminants from the wastewater.

How does the aeration process in the aerobic chamber work?

In the aerobic chamber, air is pumped into the water to provide oxygen for microorganisms to decompose organic matter. This process generates carbon dioxide and water, and helps break down contaminants efficiently, without producing odors.

What happens to the sludge generated during the treatment process?

The sludge produced during the treatment process is dewatered using centrifuges to remove excess water. The resulting sludge is then disposed of in a landfill or further treated to improve its quality.

How is the ultrafiltration membrane cleaned and maintained?

The ultrafiltration membranes are periodically cleaned using sodium hypochlorite and citric acid to prevent clogging and maintain their performance. This process helps restore the membranes for continued use.

What are the primary uses of the treated water produced by the water reuse station?

The treated water is primarily used for street cleaning, irrigation of parks and gardens, firefighting, and construction activities. It may also be used by various industries that need water for non-potable purposes.

How does the water reuse process benefit the local river?

The water reuse process improves the quality of the local river by reducing the concentration of pollutants. When the treated water is discharged into the river, it dilutes the pollutants, resulting in better water quality for the river.