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24 WEDECO UV reactors at Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant saves on costs and ensures proper disinfection for new facility

With a capacity to treat up to 1.8 billion liters per day of water, the largest UV disinfection facility for drinking water in the world to date – the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant – celebrated its grand opening here on May 7.

The state-of-the-art plant actually became fully operational in January, but the celebration was put off due to preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in the Vancouver area in February.

The plant is equipped with 24 WEDECO K 143 Series ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection reactors from ITT Corporation, said Hui "Arthur" Ouyang, the company's western district manager for Canada. Located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) of British Columbia, it draws its water from the Seymour and Capilano reservoirs. Along with the Coquitlam Reservoir – all fed by namesake mountain watersheds north of Vancouver – they supply water for 2 million residents in the region. About 70 percent of the area's drinking water needs are met by the Seymour and Capilano watersheds.

"The 24 low pressure, high intensity lamp UV reactors are configured with one reactor after one filter. Each reactor has a capacity of about 20 million gallons per day (MGD). Every reactor has exactly 48 lamps in four rows of 12, with additional space for a fifth row for future expansion," Ouyang said.

ITT, a global leader in the treatment and transport of water and wastewater, was chosen in late 2004 to introduce UV disinfection technology to the plant based largely on a much lower life cycle cost of the WEDECO system over competing brands. This included operation and maintenance as well as energy efficiency savings. The WEDECO system uses approximately two-thirds less energy than comparable medium pressure UV systems.

Validated according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, the WEDECO K Series of UV reactors are for large flow drinking water applications. The WEDECO Spektrotherm lamps are powered by the latest electronic ballast technology designed specifically for this lamp and controlled by a highly selective calibrated UV intensity sensor that allows for significantly lower energy costs. It also decreases the overall chemical use in drinking water.

Among guests at the opening festivities were Metro Vancouver directors, staff, contractors, environmental groups, involved residents and local media. Lois Jackson, board director and chairwoman, led the toast with a glass of pure, mountain fresh water. Others in attendance included Tim Stevenson, board director and water committee chair; John Carline, Metro Vancouver chief administrative officer; Paul Hundal, president of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation; Will Koop, coordinator of BC Tapwater Alliance; Ed Fast, member of Parliament for Abbotsford; Richard Walton, District of North Vancouver Mayor; and Naomi Yamamoto, B.C.'s Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations.

About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. With headquarters in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2009 revenue of $10.9B.

SOURCE: Xylem Inc.