Footnote
(*1) This project was implemented under the Dissemination, Demonstration, and Business Development Project (SME Support Type) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from 2015 to 2018.
(*2) NTU stands for Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, a unit that expresses the degree of turbidity of water.
Securing Quality Water and Stable Supply Through "High Turbidity Raw Water Purification System"
TOHKEMY CORPORATION
Industry: Manufacturing
| Publication date | December 22, 2022 (Posted on December 21, 2023) |
|---|---|
| Sector | Water Environment/Water Resources |
Company Overview
Since 50 years since its establishment, TOHKEMY CORPORATION has been manufacturing and selling filter media for water treatment/chemical pumps and peripheral devices, selling environmental preservation apparatuses, and extensive and engaged in installation design and construction; in order to contribute to the development of people, the environment, and society by returning polluted rivers, lakes, and groundwater to nature and by providing safe and secure water at low cost.
Climate Change Impacts
There are concerns that changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change will lead to increased turbidity and serious depletion of water resources. In areas of developing countries where water supply facilities have not been developed, untreated rainwater, river water, surface water, and groundwater are used as domestic water, and there are concerns about worsening health problems such as diarrhea and conjunctivitis.
Adaptation Initiatives
In 2011, in collaboration with our local partner LAPON COMPANY LIMITED, we implemented the "dissemination and demonstration project of high turbidity raw water purification system for small town water supply project" in Paksan District, Bolikhamxay Province, Lao PDR (*1).
The aim of the project was to provide a stable supply of safe water, to correct regional disparities in water supply services, and to stably and inexpensively purify surface water that becomes excessively turbid during rainy times.
Our high turbidity raw water purification system consists of a fiber filtration (Actifiber) and sand filtration system, and is capable of purifying river water with turbidity exceeding 1000 NTU (*2), which is common in certain regions during the rainy season, to the WHO standard of 5 NTU or less. The system employs fiber filtration technology for high turbidity, and is suitable for use in developing countries because it is small-scale, low-cost, and can be installed in a small space within a short period of time.
As a result of this project, our high turbidity raw water purification system (1,000 m3/day, equivalent to approximately 6,600 people) has been installed and is operating as a tap water supply system in Paksan City, and is expected to achieve the following in Laos: 1) stable purification of high turbidity surface water, 2) improvement of water supply coverage in Paksan District, Bolikhamxay Province, 3) reduction in running costs compared to the conventional method (coagulation sedimentation method), and 4) improvement in knowledge of water purification among the Water Authority staff (Fig. 2 and 3).
Effects / Expected Benefits
Our high turbidity raw water purification system can stably and efficiently purify even ultra-high turbidity water, contributing to a stable supply of domestic water and improving the health and hygiene of residents by improving water quality.
