Drinking Water

Only the best components are good enough when dealing with the world's most valuable resource. Our highest-quality piping systems support the safe handling of drinking water, while our Process Automation solutions make decentralized treatment and production easy.

Protecting What is Most Precious

Ensuring a worldwide drinking water supply is one of the key challenges today and, therefore, one of the most important and fastest-growing industry sectors. Systems for water intake, production, purification, and distribution need to adapt to diverse regional conditions. Producing drinking water is a demanding challenge that requires state-of-the-art systems. Depending on the application area, choosing plastic material for pipes, valves, and fittings - according to their chemical and mechanical properties - is essential for a long-lasting system. Furthermore, the automation and technology setting is one of the decisive aspects of optimizing the total cost of ownership. With the high-quality system solutions of GF Piping Systems the optimal compatibility of all components is warranted.

Decentralized Water Treatment

Ekopak, Belgium

Ekopak partners with GF Piping Systems to automate its container-based 'water as a service' offering, ensuring consistent water quality. With fluctuating inlet quality, Ekopak relies on continuous monitoring and automation for consistent results. Together, they address Ekopak's challenges, fostering a sustainable future.

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    Applications

    Media Filtration

    Media filtration removes suspended particles, and microorganisms. Using layers of sand, gravel, or activated carbon, it enhances water clarity, reduces contaminants. This process is essential for ensuring safe, clean, and potable water for public consumption.

    Reverse Osmosis

    Reverse osmosis (RO) is crucial in drinking water applications for its ability to remove contaminants like salts, bacteria, and chemicals, ensuring safe, clean water. It works by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane, leaving impurities behind. RO enhances taste, odor, and safety, making it essential for providing high-quality drinking water.

    Ion Exchange

    The system removes undesirable ions like calcium and magnesium and contaminants like lead and nitrates. It softens hard water, preventing scale buildup in piping systems, and ensures safe, palatable water by exchanging harmful ions with harmless ones, improving water quality and safety.

    Neutralization

    Neutralization adjusts pH levels to make the water safe and palatable. It prevents corrosion or scaling in pipes, enhances disinfection efficiency, and ensures regulatory compliance. Proper pH balance is crucial for protecting public health and maintaining infrastructure.

    Dosing / Dilution

    Chemical dosing and dilution in drinking water applications are crucial for ensuring water safety and quality. Proper dosing adds precise amounts of chemicals, such as disinfectants and coagulants, to eliminate pathogens and remove impurities. Dilution ensures these chemicals are evenly distributed, preventing overdosing or underdosing, which could compromise water quality and safety.

    Innovations for Drinking Water

    Our global team of Process Automation experts continuously develops new solutions to make Process Automation as easy and sustainable as possible - Discover our latest innovations for the water industry.

    FAQs

    What are the advantages of using plastic piping systems in drinking water applications?

    Plastic piping systems, such as PVC-U or PVC-C, are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and cost-effective. They have a long lifespan and are easy to install, reducing labor costs. Plastic pipes maintain water quality by preventing contamination and are resistant to biofilm formation. Additionally, they offer flexibility in design and are suitable for various pressure and temperature ranges.

    How does Process Automation benefit drinking water treatment?

    Process Automation enhances efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in drinking water treatment applications. Automated systems allow for real-time monitoring and control of critical parameters like pH, chlorine levels, temperature, and flow rates. This reduces human error and optimizes resource use, ensuring consistent water quality. Automation options include SCADA systems, PLCs, and intelligent valve and measurement solutions, which facilitate remote monitoring and control, predictive maintenance, and data Analysis by adding Industrial Ethernet protocols like Modbus TCP, PROFINET, or EtherNet/IP.

    What are the critical considerations for integrating plastic piping in automated water treatment systems?

    Key considerations include compatibility with existing systems, pressure and temperature ratings, and regulatory compliance. Frequently used valves, such as ball, butterfly, and diaphragm valves, must be suitable for plastic pipes. Automation options, like electric or pneumatic actuators and positioners, can effectively manage flow and improve operational efficiency. Measurement parameters include flow rate, pressure, or temperature, which are monitored using transmitters integrated into the control system.

    What pH level should drinking water be, and how can you make sure to meet this level?

    Drinking water should have a pH level between 6.5 and 8.5, as the WHO recommends. Operators should follow these steps to ensure this level is met:

    • Monitoring: Use pH sensors to control the water's pH continuously.
    • Adjustment: If the pH is too low (acidic), add alkaline substances like sodium hydroxide. If it is too high (alkaline), add acidic substances like hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
    • Automation: Implement automated valve solutions and dosing systems controlled by pH sensor feedback to adjust the pH levels in real time.
    • Maintenance: Regularly calibrate and maintain pH sensors and dosing equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.