Alcoa and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) have completed an engineered wetlands wastewater management system in Saudi Arabia that the companies say will reduce water demand by about 2 million US gallons per day and save more than $7 million annually that would otherwise be used to purchase fresh water.
The system at the Ma’aden-Alcoa joint venture project site is the first of its kind, the companies say.
An Alcoa spokesperson tells Environmental Leader that the company is considering employing the technology at other Alcoa locations globally, including in the US.
The Alcoa-designed and engineered technology — called a natural engineered wastewater treatment system — collects sanitary and industrial wastewater and then cleans and disinfects it without using chemicals or creating water discharge and odors associated with conventional tank systems.
The system includes three steps (pictured). First, an anaerobic treatment tank breaks down and separates organic material in the water. Second, a passive engineered wetland utilizes vegetation for further treatment of organics and removal of nitrogen and metals. Third, a cell housing bauxite-based technology disinfects and polishes the water.
Source: Environmental Leader