SAN DIEGO, California (Aug. 29, 2016)—Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, announced that its Wedeco LBX 850e and LBX 1500e ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems have received acceptance from the California State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water.
These closed-vessel UV systems are now validated and approved for unrestricted reuse applications to meet the stringent water disinfection standards as required by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, according to a statement from Xylem. The acceptance of the LBX 850e and 1500e UV systems adds to the existing portfolio of Wedeco UV systems approved for Title 22 reuse applications including the LBX 90e, LBX 400e and LBX 1000e along with the open-channel TAK55 and recently approved open-channel Duron, the first Title 22 reuse approved disinfection system with an inclined lamp array, the company said.
“The approval by the state means that Xylem’s Wedeco brand can provide its customers in California and beyond with one of the broadest portfolios of approved UV disinfection systems for water reuse of any manufacturer,” said Richard Loeffler, Wedeco senior sales engineer for Xylem. “This allows us to partner with engineers and utilities to find the best water reuse solution that is both safe and sustainable.”
The California Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water regulates public water systems, oversees water recycling projects, permits water treatment devices, and supports and promotes water system security.
As California continues to address water shortages associated with urbanization and long-term drought, water reuse is an essential and sustainable solution that will help secure the state’s water needs, according to Xylem’s statement. Water reuse is a proven approach that can help meet growing water demands, while safeguarding existing water supplies.
Water reuse technology produces high-quality water at a lower life-cycle cost than developing a new water supply, and delivers a resilient, drought-resistant water source with valuable economic and environmental benefits, according to Xylem. UV disinfection is a sustainable alternative to chemical-based disinfection such as chlorine, which may create harmful disinfection byproducts.
Earlier this year, Xylem launched a survey of California residents that revealed they are overwhelmingly supportive of using recycled water in their everyday lives. The survey found that 76 percent of respondents believe recycled water should be used as a long-term solution for managing water resources and 89 percent of residents are more willing to use recycled water after learning about the advanced treatment processes used to make it clean and safe.
“Approval of the Wedeco LBX 850 e and LBX 1500e under Title 22 legislation is great news for Xylem and our customers,” said Tanja Burgschwaiger, Xylem’s global UV product manager for its Wedeco brand. “As California regulations are recognized in many markets worldwide, this approval will open up new markets for our technology, which is equally good news globally for those looking for sustainable reuse technology options. We’re looking forward to working with customers in California and further afield to develop efficient and effective reuse solutions to help combat water scarcity.”
Xylem’s Wedeco LBX system is optimized for medium- to large-scale wastewater treatment plants, as well as industrial and water reuse applications. It is an energy efficient, closed-vessel UV system for wastewater disinfection. It was the first closed-vessel, low-pressure, high-output amalgam UV system in the world to obtain California Title 22 acceptance, according to Xylem. The system offers exceptional performance because of the highly efficient Ecoray lamp technology, which consumes approximately one-third of the energy of medium-pressure lamps, and are characterized by longer life, superior dimming capabilities, lower mercury content and greater sustainability.
Wedeco UV disinfection systems are being operated for Title 22 water reuse applications in California at the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center in San Jose, along with numerous other sites throughout the state.