Aquafin and BOSAQ are leading the way for the future of water through a sustainable circular water economy

THE CLIENT

Aquafin is an expert in wastewater collection and treatment, and is responsible for the financing, operation and expansion of the wastewater treatment infrastructure in Flanders.
Aquafin believes in clean water and a living environment in harmony with water.

Introduction

Aquafin and BOSAQ have partnered to successfully manage the available water bodies to reduce the pressure on groundwater sources and pave the way for circular water loops versus the linear water use model, currently in practice.

The challenge

Today, the water is being used in a linear model. Water is extracted from groundwater or surface water sources; in many cases, a limited (seasonal) replenishment potential and is directly subject to the effects of climate change. This water is then treated, travels (in some cases) long distances, and easily flows through our taps. According to the World Bank, freshwater is used globally for all human activities, from irrigation of field (agriculture over 70%) to industrial processes (companies 15%) to flushing the toilets, cleaning dishes, etc. (domestic use 12%). In most of the cases, this water is used only once, and then drained into pipes and, in 80% of cases, without treatment, into rivers or seas, where it mixes with salty water, which is even more difficult to recycle.

Population growth, rapid urbanisation, coupled with erratic weather conditions (heatwaves, droughts, floods) due to climate change is negatively impacting the availability and access to water. To combat this challenge, the European research project B-Water Smart was launched for transformation to transform water-smart economies and societies. Flanders Region acts as one of the 6 living labs, where Aquafin, De Watergroep, KWR, PSKW, Stad Mechelen, and VITO are working together on creating smart and robust water systems. The project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme.

The Solution

BOSAQ Technology partnered with Aquafin to build circular water systems for use in alternative water sources for drinking water production and to secure the irrigation water supply through the use of rainwater. Our engineers collaborated with Aquafin to provide the situation by assessing the possible technological solutions and to design and build two innovative pilot units.

The first BOSAQ technology, Q-Drop Vikos (water reuse), has an output capacity of 1,000 liters per hour. It uses a combination of membrane filtration, and purification technologies. Q-Drop Vikos is a versatile modular container that provides flexibility to the customer to use varying combinations, of technology, depending on the quality of the input water stream, and the required output water quality. This technology will be used in West Flanders, to pre-treat domestic wastewater effluent up to a source for drinking water production, thereby closing the water loop.

The second water technology unit, Q-Drop Iguazu (rainwater), with an output capacity of 10,000 liters per hour, uses another purification technology to process collected rainwater from an open buffer, and purify it up to the desired water quality for subirrigation. This technology will be used by the farmers of the Mechelen region for agriculture and will ensure water security while prioritising the use of energy-intensive, high-quality drinking water for human consumption.