Climate-resistant water plant under construction in South Harz to combat future water scarcity issues - New Water Treatment Facility in Southern Alps to Combat Climate Crisis
A cutting-edge water treatment plant, equipped with ozone-biofiltration technology, has been unveiled in South Harz's Bad Sachsa. Officially inaugurated at the Steinatal dam in Lower Saxony, this facility targets climate change-induced challenges in water quality, as prolonged dry spells, altered vegetation patterns, and increased logging have resulted in poorer raw water quality.
The forest surrounding the dam currently faces ecological distress due to forest dieback and clear-cutting. This deterioration has led the existing water treatment plant to periodically suspend operations due to issues such as water with a "fishy-musty" smell and exceeding limits.
The newly installed two-stage ozone-biofiltration system is designed to combat these issues. It treats water using on-site produced ozone for effective disinfection and an eco-friendly, state-of-the-art filtration process. Ozone, consisting of three oxygen atoms, replaces chlorine in the treatment process. Moreover, this system is built to last for at least 70 years and offers operational flexibility to address fluctuating raw water quality.
The new plant will continue processing up to 250 million liters of water annually for Bad Sachsa and surrounding areas. Though the Steinatal dam has a relatively small capacity compared to other Harz dams, it plays a vital role in ensuring the region's water supply amidst increasingly dry summers and wetter winters. Potential future solutions under discussion include connecting the Steinatal dam to other water reservoirs or expanding the dam itself.
Ozone-biofiltration systems, such as the one installed at Steinatal, can significantly contribute to addressing the impact of climate change on water quality by enhancing disinfection efficiency, removing organic matter and contaminants, and improving overall treatment resilience.
- The community policy should include measures to protect and preserve the environment, such as implementing strategies to combat climate change in line with the environmental-science findings.
- In the employment policy, there could be a focus on fostering research and development in science, technology, and environmental-science sectors, considering the crucial role they play in the effectiveness and efficiency of the water treatment plant's ozone-biofiltration technology.
