16 Reasons Why Ozone is the Future Proof Solution for Complex Water Treatment
Ozone water treatment technology has recently experienced unprecedented growth and is now the fastest growing technology in the global water disinfection market. Climate change has escalated the need for sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions. There is also increasing awareness that access to safe water is rapidly diminishing, and that effective treatment for a plethora of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is necessary. This knowledge and increased regulatory pressure, is encouraging entire industries to source and use more effective, advanced treatment technology. Furthermore, global water scarcity is rapidly accelerating the need for improved water conservation and reuse applications.
The changing environment and the need to protect it are influencing water treatment decisions to ensure they are sustainable, resilient and adaptable for the future. Ozone is not only the environmentally right decision, but it can deliver many cost-effective benefits to both the private and public sector.
Here are some of the many benefits that make advanced ozone technology the future proof solution for complex water treatment.
1. Superior Disinfection
Ozone is universally recognized as the superior treatment for the destruction of a wide array of difficult to treat pathogens. Many viruses and bacteria are resistant to chlorine and Ultra Violet (UV) treatment. For example, Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma are highly resistant to chlorine. Many viruses, specifically Adenoviruses and bacterial spores are UV resistant. Unlike ozone, chlorine and UV treatments are unable to destroy the cell walls of microorganisms, instead they disable them to a required level.
2. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP)
Advanced Oxidation Process is the combination of ozone with an additional oxidant such as Ultra Violet (UV) and peroxide, which greatly enhances treatment effectiveness. The combination of these technologies result in the formation of hydroxyl radicals – a short lived but superior treatment for hard-to-treat contaminants such as PFAS and microplastics. AOP is now regularly required for certain applications and regions for non-potable water reuse.
3. Chemical Free
Ozone is a chemical free treatment that is universally recognized as the most effective commercially available water disinfection technology. It is much more powerful and effective than chlorine. Ozone destroys cell walls to instantly kill bacteria and viruses. Chlorine needs to toxify the cell, a process that requires considerably greater contact time, alters chemistry and creates harmful by-products such as trihalomethanes. Furthermore, ozone’s only residual is dissolved oxygen which is beneficial to both people and the environment.
4. Requires No Consumables
Ozone eliminates the need to purchase, transport and store chemicals, bulbs or other consumables. This removes any issues around increased chemical costs, supply chain shortages and OHS requirements for chemicals. This cost-effective benefit saves operator time while improving plant efficiency and safety.
5. Energy Efficient
Over the past decade, advanced ozone technology has become more energy efficient and therefore more cost efficient, especially for smaller scale municipal, industrial and commercial applications. Advanced ozone mixing technology has significantly reduced the energy required to produce and transfer ozone into the water supply. Today’s generators can achieve greater than 90% mass ozone transfer versus the typical 30% of traditional bubbling technology. Automation advancements that regulate treatment in real time has also made ozone one of the most efficient solutions commercially available. Furthermore, as the cost of many chemicals has escalated over the past year, North American electricity rates have not experienced the same extreme fluctuations.
6. Low OPEX
The average operational cost of an advanced ozone system can be less than chlorine and UV depending on the application. Chlorine requires electricity for the dosing pump, purchase of chemicals, as well as shipping, handling and storage costs. UV systems can also be more costly than ozone due to infrastructure requirements associated with a UV chamber. This can significantly increase CAPEX costs. UV also requires more electricity and the purchase, replacement and disposal of UV bulbs. Ozone systems do not rely on consumables. The average cost of an Aclarus system is approximately 5 cents per 1,000 litres / 265 US gallons of treated water, offering the lowest Lifetime Operating Cost (LOC) compared to other technologies and a quick Return on Investment (ROI).
7. Small Footprint
Ozone systems offer the most powerful treatment per square foot. As water treatment needs and capacity demands increase, ozone systems can be expanded on a relatively small footprint. This benefit enables easy expansion or redundancy typically within existing infrastructure. It also reduces operational costs that may be associated with designing a system that is much larger than currently required, in anticipation of future growth. The ability to easily retro-fit and expand in the future, removes the stress associated with precisely forecasting future population growth and business expansion.
8. Easily Expandable
An ozone treatment system also has the capacity to easily expand and adapt to increased water flow and changing raw water quality. Climate change is resulting in flooding, stormwater surges and other erratic water treatment challenges. Ozone has the ability to easily add more capacity as well as adjust to new and changing contaminants with minimal space or infrastructure changes. Ozone provides peace of mind that the new and unanticipated water treatment challenges can be solved effectively and cost effectively with environmentally friendly technology.
9. Water Reuse and Conservation
Ozone has the ability to improve water supply reliability and resiliency in an environmentally responsible way. It offers substantial opportunities for conservation and non-potable water reuse. Reuse water solutions can be customized for a variety of purposes including irrigation, sanitation, toilet flushing, water features and replenishing groundwater basins etc. Industrial treatment solutions can be engineered to provide reuse water after it has been used for processing and/or sanitation. Ozone solutions can also be engineered to reuse rainwater, groundwater and stormwater for irrigation and other non-potable applications.
10. 24/7 Remote Monitoring
Advanced ozone technology offers inline and external monitors to provide assured treatment, efficiency and safety. Monitors offer critical real-time system information that can be easily integrated into existing site SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. Todays’ ozone systems can also be Internet of Things (IOT) enabled. This option enables remote monitoring of all systems through a secure, dedicated computer and or smart phone. This capability allows for the utmost peace of mind and flexibility to access, monitor and adjust the system from virtually anywhere with WIFI.
11. Reduced Maintenance Costs
Chlorine treatment systems require annual cleaning and replacement of the transfer lines and regulators. UV systems require regular monitoring and replacement of bulbs and ballasts which increases with poor water quality. Advanced ozone systems, such as Aclarus, utilize only premium components for longevity and require no routine consumables, replacements or heavy maintenance.
12. Comprehensive Treatment
Ozone offers the unique benefit of a multi-treatment solution that disinfects, oxidizes and clarifies water. Ozone improves aesthetics, including taste, colour and odour while preserving healthy minerals. This cost effective all in one solution enhances water quality while saving valuable time and operational effort.
13. Generated On Site
Ozone is generated on-site, on demand, as needed. It requires only ambient air and a generator, which runs on low watt electricity. This cost-effective benefit eliminates the need to purchase, transport and store chemicals, saving time and money.
14. Enhances UV & Chlorine Treatment
The addition of ozone can enhance the effectiveness of both UV and chemicals in existing water and wastewater treatment trains. Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) enhances the effectiveness of UV by clarifying water prior to treatment, and can also improve the effectiveness of chlorine and other chemicals and reduce their by-products. Ozone AOP not only increases the effectiveness of existing treatment trains, but it can reduce the quantity of chemicals required resulting in significant operational cost savings. Furthermore, with the exception of treatments that require a residual disinfectant for transmission, ozone can eliminate the need for disinfection and/or oxidation chemicals. Ozone can significantly enhance the disinfection of existing treatment trains while reducing costs at the same time.
15. Extends Membrane & Filter Life
Ozone has the ability to oxidize metals that would typically be removed by filters and membranes. Oxidation pre-treatment has the ability to dissolve metals and/or precipitate it into smaller particles which can then be captured with filters prior to being captured in the membrane. Ozone can be used as a flocculant to facilitate the filtration of metals. The use of ozone for pre-treatment and filtration can significantly reduce the volume of metals to be removed thereby extending the life of both filters and membranes.
16. Environmentally Friendly
Ozone water treatment is naturally sustainable, with the ability to treat the most complex water contaminants while leaving only dissolved oxygen in the effluent. The dissolved oxygen is beneficial to the marine life in the receiving waterway. Ozone prevents in coming contamination from source water while treating and removing contaminants from wastewater prior to discharge back to waterways. This benefits people, marine life and the environment.
Ozone growth is anticipated to accelerate further because of its non-chemical process, its effectiveness in treating complex emerging contaminants, and its ability to meet ever-more stringent government regulations. It is clear that ozone technology offers the most effective disinfection and a cost-effective solution for complex water treatment. To learn more about these and many more of ozone’s future proof benefits for complex water treatment please contact us here.