Severn Trent Wins Desalination Contracts

Severn Trent Services, based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, will supply filter underdrain systems for use in pretreatment filtration systems at two desalination plants in North Africa and South America, according to a Jan. 30 press release.

The company will supply TETRA® LP Block™ systems. The contracts are the latest of a number of recent orders for these systems in the desalination market, including an order for its use at the largest desalination plant in Europe. The system will form the floors of the rapid gravity sand filters that treat seawater prior to desalination by reverse osmosis membranes. The floor supports the sand media during filter operation and provides excellent distribution of air and water during backwashing to enhance filter cleaning and extend run times.

The latest contract plants were designed and constructed by ACCIONA Agua, Spain. These plants are scheduled for commissioning this year.

The company also recently announced a new design for the backwash air and water distribution system, TETRA® FlumeFlow™ has been introduced to the European market and will be installed at both plants. The new system design is employed with the floor system to negate the need for a separate air header for the distribution of backwash air and water from a central culvert.