Pilot new arsenic removal technology for drinking water in Argentina
Argentinian Water Supply Company, AySA, the Dutch companies Royal HaskoningDHV and TRAIDE and water research institute KWR signed a cooperation agreement to launch the Low Energy Arsenic Free (LEAF) project to remove arsenic from groundwater. The agreement was signed in Buenos Aires on 25 September.
Lower arsenic threshold levels
This two-year project will pilot innovative drinking water supply technologies in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, as well as upscale them for implementation elsewhere in Argentina. Arsenic contamination of drinking water is an issue of national concern in Argentina. Studies to lower arsenic threshold levels in drinking water from 50 to 10 µg/l (WHO guideline) are currently underway.
More water less energy
The cost of electricity is a major component of the total operational costs of water supply systems in Argentina. This applies in particular to the arsenic-removal treatment systems currently used in the country, and to the distribution of drinking water from the three large surface water treatment plants operated by water and energy supply company AySA.
José Inglese, Chairman of the Board at AySA, says that the LEAF project will contribute to improved water quality and reduced operational costs, and will consequently provide better access to clean drinking water to more users in Argentina, in line with the goals set in the National Water Plan.
Control software
Royal HaskoningDHV will develop and carry out a pilot on the supply, installation, support and testing of the Aquasuite operational control software. TRAIDE will, in turn, carry out the financial analysis, and prepare an investment and financing plan for the implementation of LEAF water supply and Aquasuite-controlled water supply operations in Argentina.
KWR is lead partner and responsible for overall project coordination and management, the arsenic-removal pilot test design and supervision of the pilot operation. The knowledge and experiences from this project will also be brought into the international Watershare network, of which both AySA and KWR are members.
The project is funded by the Dutch Partners for Water programme, which supports water management initiatives in urbanised deltas around the world.
