Drinking water
supplies

Cleaning drinking water

The german Federal Environment Agency defines the guiding example for good drinking water as groundwater that can be withdrawn from the natural water cycle at a sufficient depth and after passing through sufficiently filtering layers. It must not be impaired in any way. However, to provide sufficient drinking water, it is increasingly necessary to deviate from this model. Over 70 % of drinking water in Germany is obtained from groundwater and bank filtrate. Depending on the region, treatment may be necessary, it is mandatory for surface water. Activated carbon is the method of choice for removing impurities dissolved in water.

An increasing number of drinking water sources require treatment. Due to demographic changes and the associated increase in the use of pharmaceuticals released into the environment, persistent chemicals and pesticides can accumulate in groundwater. This issue, coupled with the more frequent dry weather runoff caused by climate change, leads to higher concentration of pollutants in raw water.

In rural areas, large-scale applications of pesticides and plant protection products continuously introduce pollutants into groundwater. Bank filtrate and reservoirs are also affected. Consequently, more drinking water suppliers are concerned about their water sources, prompting them to take countermeasures to treat raw water into clean drinking water for their customers. Many of them rely on adsorption stages with activated carbon from CarboTech to treat their water sources.

Pollutants in water

Nitrates and pesticides, such as glyphosate and their degradation products, are particularly problematic. Additionally, metals, industrial chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as ibuprofen, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pose environmental and health risks. PFAS and their degradation products are extremely persistent in the environment, hence often referred to as perpetual chemicals.

With the latest revision of the European Drinking Water Directive (DWD) in October 2020, limit values for PFAS in drinking water were established for the first time. Germany implemented these limits through the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV). Particularly strict concentration limits apply to the PFAS-4 group (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA), as these have been proven to be harmful to health.

Activated carbons from drinking water treatment can be reactivated at high temperatures at CarboTech using the globally unique fluidized bed process. Our technology destroys many impurities and enables the activated carbons to be reused several times for the same application. The service life of the products can be extended, and the CO2 footprint is significantly reduced making sustainable water management possible. In case reactivation is no longer possible due to the concentration and type of contaminants we also offer our customers a disposal service for used carbons.

Our activated carbon meets strict standards

For drinking water filters, CarboTech offers activated carbons with a pore structure tailored to the respective application. These can achieve a sufficiently high load and long service life. They also meet strict national and international standards such as DIN EN 12915 and DIN EN 12903.

More sustainability in the drinking water sector

Our activated carbons, reactivated thermally in a fluidized bed, can be reused multiple times. They also feature larger internal surfaces compared to other types, enhancing their cost-effectiveness. When it comes to ensuring the purity of your drinking water production, we are your ideal partner. Contact us today.