A huge amount of drinking water is used for industrial purposes: the Flemish Government wants to change this. If we want to combat water shortage in our country, we must change the way we consume drinking water. The Dockwater desalination facility offers a solution here. By the end of 2024 the project will supply industry in the port of Antwerp with high-quality process water, which will represent a major step forward. And EQUANS also has a part to play in this story.
Mid way through 2020 the Flemish Government proposed its Blue Deal: an ambitious plan for a structural approach to the problem of water shortage and drought in Flanders. An important objective of this plan is to change the way drinking water is used. Where today a considerable amount of drinking water is still used in industry and agriculture, there are now other, more sustainable solutions. A first step is the construction of a desalination facility in the port of Antwerp: a project of Dockwater BV in collaboration with Suez and Clearwater, a joint venture between EQUANS and contractor Denys.
25 kilometres of pipes
At present drinking water is still the only available water source for industrial processes in the Antwerp port industry. Something that the Dockwater project aims to change. Within a few years the desalination facility will be able to supply high-quality process water to industrial customers, based on brackish water from the docks. And this is no small task: the project includes the construction of the desalination facility at the Covestro site, where the brackish water will be converted into acceptable process water. Once this process is complete, this water can be transported to the end customers via a pipe network about 25 kilometres long. Some pipelines will even have to be drilled under the Schelde. The pipeline system and construction work will be carried out by Denys, with the assistance of Tractebel-Signum. Suez in its turn will be responsible for the design of the process and for the control and maintenance of the desalination facility once it is put into operation.
95% reduction in drinking water consumption
Immediately on completion the desalination facility will fulfil a large part of the demand for industrial water in the port. In the long term this project will reduce drinking water consumption at industrial locations in the port by no less than 95%. This will put less pressure on the drinking water supply in Antwerp during the kind of dry periods we have experienced in recent years. In addition, industrial clients will see a drastic reduction in costs for their water consumption for process purposes. In a later phase the facility’s capacity will be expanded even further for new industrial customers who want to become part of this venture. In addition to brackish water, the long-term objective is also to treat purified wastewater from industrial companies; for this Dockwater BV expects agreements with Aquafin and other industrial companies in the Port of Antwerp.
EQUANS expertise
EQUANS is responsible for the coordination, development and construction of the electromechanical installations required for the desalination facility (e.g., reverse osmosis, chemical dosing, filtration, etc.). In addition, EQUANS will take care of the pipes, electricity and technical installations in the facility itself
Our department has more than 30 years’ experience in the construction of water treatment facilities. Initially it was just about wastewater and drinking water, later swimming pool water was added and now the Dockwater project represents another milestone for our department. We’re very proud and pleased that we can also play a role in this major step towards more sustainable water consumption in Flanders. We hope that the Dockwater project will pave the way for similar projects in Flanders, where we can contribute to a more sustainable society.
