With this upgrade, the Bellville plant will feature the largest membrane bioreactor (MBR) in the country to date. Its capacity will increase by 20 ml/day, to 70 ml/day (average dry weather flow). The 20 ml/day MBR will be separate from the existing activated sludge plant.
Veolia will also supply a new inlet works for the MBR plant, new biological reactors and six membrane trains. A new sludge dewatering facility will also be supplied, as well as an upgrade of the existing electrical and control systems infrastructure at the Bellville WWTW.
The raw wastewater to the new plant will pass through coarse screens for degritting, before passing through fine screens and undergoing anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic treatment before undergoing ultrafiltration and dewatering of sludge.
“The water produced has to meet strict quality requirements with regards to organic matter, viruses and bacteria removal, ammonia and suspended solids content. The submerged ultrafiltration membrane technology will increase capacity while producing excellent quality treated water, which will be reused as process water to industrial and commercial clients in the area,” says Abrie Wessels, regional general manager, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies South Africa.
Currently in the basic engineering design phase, the plant is due for commissioning in 2013.