Making water safe to drink
The objective of the directive 98-83 is "to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean ". To this effect, the water must be free "from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which, in numbers or concentrations, constitute a potential danger to human health".
This directive therefore focuses on:
- Thirty parameters which have individual parametric values that must be adhered to. These parameters might pose an immediate health risk (such as the microbiological contamination of water whose presence might indicate a health risk arising from any pathogenic bacteria that are present), or long term risks (when exposed on a life-long basis) such as toxic chemical substances (certain metals and pesticides).
- In addition, adhering to the guidelines of an additional list of around twenty parameters that have an indicator function(microbiological, physico-chemical or organolepticparameters which have no direct bearing on public health) is indicative of the optimal running of water treatment facilities and the water distribution network.
The Technical Subsidiary of Veolia Water
Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies offers a wide range of drinking water treatment technologies.
Providing water that's good for your health
Veolia Water has a strict quality control policy for the water it produces and supplies in order to meet and anticipate ever more stringent standards.
In order to control water quality, Veolia Water has an integrated approach which includes:
- more than 2 million analysis samples carried out ever year throughout the world
- trained local teams that benefit from an international network of experts
- a network of accredited research laboratories
- 800 experts throughout the world, around a hundred partnerships with major laboratories and universities who carry out research in the water sector
- the ability to deal with emergencies or incidents
- a regular audit of the methods used throughout all of the water services operated by Veolia Water around the world
- ISO 9 000 certification for its operations
- active research into water quality and emerging pollution.
Making sure water tastes good
Drinking water plant. Three Valleys, UK.
Research into making water taste pleasant to drink can seem secondary when compared to the necessity for clean water. However it has also become an essential requirement for consumers used to domestic comfort.
- The flavor is all of the sensations (taste and smell) that you experience when you taste it. It is due to the presence of bacteria, mineral or organic compounds and molecules resulting from human activity.
- The taste and smell of water can be changed at each stage of the treatment system.
- Water will taste different depending on the region, the raw water used, and the way it is treated and delivered.
- Veolia Water is endeavoring to develop different techniques that will enable it to improve the taste of the water.
Using Twister to analyse smells, Anjou Recherche
Water quality - Polishing
The polishing stage reduces the amount of impurities present in the water thereby reducing the amount of disinfectant that is needed. A number of polishing processes exist:
- ozonation
- filtration on activated carbon
- microfiltration
- ultrafiltration
- nanofiltration
- ultraviolet
Optimising disinfection:
Optimal disinfection is when you are able to guarantee an impeccable quality in the cleanliness of the water, while at the same time reducing the problems of taste and smell that can result from the use of chlorine as well as avoiding unwanted by-products from being produced.
Maintaining the water mains in a good condition:
Cleaning, disinfecting, rehabilitating or replacing water mains reduces the formation of deposits and thereby reduces the amount of chlorine which needs to be used. Flushing the systems and cleaning the water mains reduces the problems arising from water stagnating within the systems. The intervals between cleaning will vary depending on the state of the system (materials, length) and water quality (mineralization, corrosiveness).
Consulting with local officials
Actiflo clarifier at the Neuilly-sur-Marne (SEDIF) water treatment plant in France
As an operating company providing water services for the local authorities, Veolia Water has a duty to be vigilant and to come up with new solutions:
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Veolia Water is responsible for water quality. Therefore the self-monitoring which the company caries out complements the official monitoring conducted by the health authorities.
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The company recommends solutions to prevent problems from occurring or if unusual situations should arise.
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In the event that the water supply might pose a risk to human health, Veolia Water takes every measure in its power to put this right, informs the health authorities and the local authority and immediately warns customers in the event of an incident.