In the heart of Poland, a critical study conducted by Halina Urbańska-Kozłowska of the Wroclaw Municipal Water and Sewage Company has shed new light on the challenges and responsibilities faced by water supply companies in ensuring the safety and health of our water. Published in the journal ‘Desalination and Water Treatment’ the research focuses on the identification and treatment of micropollutants in water sources, a topic of increasing concern as legal requirements evolve.
Urbańska-Kozłowska and her team focused on two key water treatment plants, WTP1 and WTP2, which supply drinking water to a significant agglomeration in Poland. Their findings reveal the complex nature of micropollutants, including pesticides, perfluorinated acids, microplastics, microcystin, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are present in surface and infiltration water taken for treatment. “The identification of these pollutants is crucial,” Urbańska-Kozłowska emphasizes, “as it directly impacts the effectiveness of conventional water treatment processes and the safety of the water we drink.”
The study highlights the necessity for water treatment plants to adapt and possibly expand their treatment processes to meet new legal requirements, such as the EU Directive 2020/2184. This directive, which aims to ensure the safety of drinking water, poses a significant challenge for water supply companies. The presence of these micropollutants not only affects the quality of drinking water but also has broader implications for the energy sector. “The energy sector relies heavily on water for cooling and other processes,” explains Urbańska-Kozłowska. “If the water quality is compromised, it can lead to increased maintenance costs and potential disruptions in energy production.”
The research underscores the need for continuous monitoring and advanced treatment technologies to tackle these emerging contaminants. “Our study shows that conventional methods may not be sufficient,” Urbańska-Kozłowska notes. “We need to explore and implement more sophisticated treatment processes to ensure the safety of our water supplies.”
The findings of this study are not just a call to action for the water industry but also a wake-up call for industries that rely on water. As the energy sector continues to grow, the importance of clean and safe water cannot be overstated. The research published in ‘Desalination and Water Treatment’, translated as ‘Desalination and Water Purification’, serves as a stark reminder that the future of water treatment lies in innovation and adaptation.
As we look ahead, the implications of this research are clear: the future of water treatment will require a more proactive approach to identifying and mitigating micropollutants. For the energy sector, this means investing in advanced water treatment technologies and collaborating with water supply companies to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply. The path forward is challenging, but the stakes are high, and the need for action is urgent.
