The Hindu 08.01.2010

Purification, desalination... it’s all about water

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R.Shivaji Rao

EA Water’s vice-president H.Subramanian, industrialist A.C.Muthiah (centre) and EA Water’s managing director Sunil Ghorawat at the inauguration of “Everything About Water Expo 2010” on Thursday.

CHENNAI: From water purifiers for households to large desalination units, the 7th international ‘Everything About Water Expo 2010’ that got under way on Thursday at Chennai Trade Centre here showcases various technologies and products related to water and sewage treatment.

The three-day expo, being organised by EA Water Private Limited with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, has over 150 stalls of leading companies from 25 countries, including Algeria, Morocco and Pakistan. Nearly 50 companies have featured desalination technologies and various components required to assemble a water treatment unit. Industrialist A.C. Muthiah inaugurated the exhibition.

Highlighting the growing awareness about water and waste water management, EA Water’s managing director Sunil Ghorawat said reverse osmosis technology is the most preferred in Chennai where water quality is on the decline. The cost of RO plants has dropped by half due to increased competition and growing demand.

Nearly 60 per cent of the water and waste water products in the country are imported from China. Only 10 per cent of the requirement is being manufactured in India as the production cost is high, Mr. Ghorawat said.

Rajesh S. Nair of Fontus Water Limited said membrane bio-reactor technology is being used, of late, in sewage treatment as the treated sewage is of better quality. Need for less space for the facility and faster treatment process are some of the other advantages in the technology.

However, it is nearly 30 per cent expensive compared to the conventional technology. Conferences and training workshops on water reuse are being organised as part of the exhibition.

The visitors could also get free consultation on water purification and sewage treatment at the ‘Dr.H2O’ stall.

Leading consultants would clarify doubts regarding water disinfection technologies, sewage recycling and industrial effluent treatment.

Nemmeli desalination plant

S.Natarajan, Head (sales) of Va Tech Wabag Limited, who was one of the participants, said the company had got the contract to establish Chennai Metrowater’s 100 million litres a day desalination plant in Nemmeli. It would be launching the work in mid-February.

As membranes would be introduced in the preliminary filtration level, the plant would have quicker treatment process and consume less space.