Thriving Amidst Climate Adversity: The Game-Changing Water Treatment Plant in Bad Sachsa
Water Facility in Southern Harz Upends Climate Change Challenges - Southern Alps will welcome a new drinking water facility, aimed at combating climate change impacts.
Looking to take water treatment to the next level, the city of Bad Sachsa in South Harz introduces a cutting-edge facility that's ready to weather the storms of climate change - the ozone-biofiltration plant at the Steinatal Dam. as outlined by its utility company. The new system addresses the degrading water quality resulting from climate change, surpassing the capabilities of the previous facility.
As a consequence of prolonged dry spells, shifting vegetation patterns, and increased timber harvesting, raw water quality has suffered. The surrounding forest, in a poor ecological state, has led to clear-cuts due to past forest die-off, destabilizing the shoreline and causing sediment build-up in the dam's water.
The old water treatment plant had been frequently shut down due to age-related issues and the requirement for frequent maintenance, leading to water supply disruptions and the production of water with an off-putting musty odor and exceeding limits. The new plant invests in a dual-stage ozone-biofiltration process, ensuring a green and scientifically advanced approach. The water passes through a series of filtration systems, being treated with ozone on two separate occasions. "Ozone treatment eradicates contaminants," explains Stefan Joedicke, technical director of the city's power and water supply, confidently. The ozone is generated locally, phasing out the use of chlorine.
The plant's design boasts a lifespan of at least 70 years and a cost north of three million euros, with a two-million-euro contribution from the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The Steinatal Dam generates up to 250 million liters of water annually, accounting for up to 50% of the water provided by the city's utilities to Bad Sachsa and adjacent areas. Compared to other Harz dams, the 150-meter-long reservoir near Steina, with a capacity of 75 million liters, is relatively compact.
In the face of more unpredictable summers and wetter winters, water management for year-round supply becomes more imperative. Water management options include connecting the Steinatal Dam to other water reservoirs, such as the Wiesenbeker Pond or the Odertalsperre of the Harzwasserwerke. The possibility of expanding the Steinatal Dam is also under consideration.
Bad Sachsa - A Leading Example
Climate Change - The New Era
Digging Deeper into Ozone-Biofiltration:
- Ozone Treatment: Ozone is employed to oxidize organic compounds in water, helping to reduce dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and color. This methodically targets organic pollutants that may spike due to climate-driven changes in water chemistry or runoff, ensuring purified water.
- Biofiltration: Post ozonation, the water is subjected to biological filters that mechanically eliminate organic matter and contaminants. Biofiltration systems are particularly proficient at ridding residual organic compounds, resulting in improved water clarity and taste.
In the face of climate change, Bad Sachsa's progressive community policy has invested in a state-of-the-art water treatment facility, the ozone-biofiltration plant at the Steinatal Dam, incorporating environmental-science advances to combat the effects of climate-change on water quality. While the old plant struggled with frequent shutdowns and musty odors due to age-related issues, the new plant, with its dual-stage ozone-biofiltration process, eradicates contaminants using actions that adhere to both employment and science-based policies.
