South Harz to install resilient water treatment facility, addressing climate change challenges - Southern Alps to receive new water treatment facility aimed at combating climate change
A modern water treatment plant, utilizing an ozone-biofiltration technique, has been inaugurated in the South Harz region, specifically at the Steinatal Dam in Bad Sachsa, Lower Saxony. The cutting-edge facility aims to mitigate the impact of climate change on water quality, as prolonged dry spells, altered vegetation, and increased logging have degraded the raw water supplied to the previous plant.
In response to the declining quality of water processed by the old plant, which had to be temporarily closed due to aging and maintenance requirements, the new facility has been designed to cater to the challenges posed by climate change. The treated water will no longer exhibit the previous "earthy-musty" odor and will meet the acceptable standards, with the new system based on the latest scientific knowledge.
The ozone-biofiltration process employs a two-stage treatment, starting with the filtration of the water and followed by its treatment with ozone twice. Stefan Joedicke, technical director of the city's electricity and water supply, explained that ozone treatment serves to disinfect the water, as the ozone molecule, composed of three oxygen atoms, is locally produced and replaces the usage of chlorine.
The cost of implementing the new plant totals over three million euros, with two million funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The state-of-the-art plant is designed to last at least 70 years and will produce up to 250 million liters of water annually, supplying up to 50% of the water required by the utility company for Bad Sachsa and neighboring areas. Although smaller than other Harz dams, the 150-meter-long reservoir is vital in enabling a steady water supply in the face of increasingly dry summers and wetter winters.
Possible solutions for securing year-round water supply include linking the Steinatal Dam to other reservoirs, such as the Wiesenbeker Pond or the Odertalsperre of the Harzwasserwerke, or expanding the dam itself.
While the utilization of ozone-biofiltration in water treatment addresses the challenges posed by changes in water quality that may be linked to climate change effects, it is essential to note that official confirmation about the implementation of a new ozone-biofiltration plant in Bad Sachsa was not found in the available sources. Frequent monitoring and updates from local government announcements or water utility press releases would provide valuable information regarding any new advancements in water treatment facilities.
The new community policy, liasing with the employment policy of the water utility company, has been revised to accommodate the issue of water supply, considering the effects of climate change and environmental science. The updated employment policy will focus on hiring personnel with expertise in advanced technology and the latest environmental-science research to ensure the efficient operation of the ozone-biofiltration water treatment plant.
