How to improve water utilities management with evaporation solutions

Utilities like power plants frequently discard coal ash in unlined ponds and landfills, where harmful pollutants such as mercury, lead and arsenic can leach into groundwater, emphasizing the importance of proper water utilities management. Yet, typical water management solutions often fall short of meeting efficiency and cost targets in industrial settings.

Minetek’s industrial evaporation systems accomplish just that, offering more cost-effective solutions than traditional methods. Read on to find out how our evaporators can help your operation’s efficiency and environmental water compliance.

Step #1: Check if Minetek’s evaporation technology is suitable for your site.

Your company may be affected by new government rules and regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has broadened federal standards to encompass active and retired landfills, as well as legacy ponds. This expansion aims to manage the substantial amounts of toxic coal ash found at decommissioned power plants. Additionally, they’ve also reinforced wastewater treatment requirements for coal facilities.

Minetek’s solutions enhance natural evaporation to efficiently reduce wastewater volumes.

Fortunately, the dewatering of coal ash ponds is one of the many uses of our water utility management solutions. To do so, we use mechanical water evaporation technology, which atomizes water into tiny droplets that are lofted into the atmosphere. Our evaporators are largely unaffected by water quality so they can efficiently separate water from solids, facilitating the safe handling and disposal of ash material.

Plus, no matter where your operations take place, our wastewater disposal solutions deliver consistent results. Built to adapt to various climates, even in extreme conditions—from arid deserts to humid regions—our systems are 10 times more cost-effective than traditional water utilities management solutions.

Our systems deliver savings during both the initial setup and ongoing operations and maintenance. Reducing both CAPEX and OPEX costs means they can offer more financial relief compared to relying solely on wastewater management treatment, sprinkler irrigation and new dam construction.

Step #2: Implement Minetek’s advanced evaporation solutions for maximum efficiency.

At Minetek, we have two types of water evaporators on offer. Our land-based water evaporator is fully customizable and bespoke in design and available in an array of sizes to fit needs. On the other hand, our floating water evaporator is made to process water in sites with limited land, as it is equipped with an electric motor, a submersible pump, floats and pipework on top of a heavy-duty pontoon structure.

These are designed to tackle one of the biggest challenges in water utilities management: processing water of various qualities efficiently. Capable of processing a wide range of water qualities, including those with acidic or saline characteristics, it ensures that whether the pH level of the water is as low as 1.8 or exceeds 14, it’s effectively managed. It’s also fast—able to process more than 2,160 m3/h.

In addition to our evaporators, we also have the innovative Environmental Management System (EMS), which enhances the efficiency of the water evaporation process. It monitors environmental variables and adjusts operations accordingly to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This real-time responsiveness maximizes operational output while minimizing resource waste.

Step #3: Enhance operational efficiency with our customizable evaporation systems.

Advanced features help reduce manual intervention and operational expenses.

Minetek integrates remote-controlled and automated features to significantly cut down on the need for manual intervention and supervision, ultimately leading to reduced operational costs. These facilitate precision, minimize water mismanagement due to human error and ensure seamless operations even in less accessible areas.

Innovative designs minimize downtime and maintenance expenses.

Our water utilities management solutions incorporate features like low-fouling nozzles and compact footprints. This way, the system is built to resist frequent breakdowns and begin quick maintenance when necessary. This keeps operations running smoothly and frees up resources for other critical tasks. Reducing downtime and maintenance translates into a more efficient and dependable operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the key challenges in managing industrial water utilities?

Effective water utilities management involves dealing with aged infrastructure and planning out how to ensure water compliance amid regulatory hurdles. As infrastructure ages, leaks and deteriorating components can compromise water quality and trigger losses, directly impacting revenue for utility companies as non-revenue water (NRW) hikes operational costs without corresponding income. 

Furthermore, strict regulatory environments make compliance a non-negotiable, demanding ongoing adaptation and financial investment. To address these evolving requirements while remaining cost-effective, operators need a strategic blend of improvements in technology, maintenance practices and financial management.

Finally, budget shortages make it difficult to finance necessary infrastructure updates and routine maintenance. This exacerbates operational challenges, leading to higher costs and inefficiencies. Investing in innovative, cost-effective solutions like Minetek’s water evaporator systems can alleviate financial strain by reducing overheads and improving efficiency.

What are the best practices for maintaining compliance with water utilities?

Real-time monitoring and data analytics are crucial in maintaining compliance.

Advanced systems for monitoring water quality and environmental conditions allow for quick responses to potential issues before they escalate. Data analytics can also help identify patterns and early warning signs, promoting proactive rather than reactive water utilities management.

In addition, continuous staff education and training ensure all team members remain abreast of changing regulations and best practices, particularly in environmentally sensitive operations involving acid mine drainage, tailings dams and more.

What makes Minetek’s water evaporators different from other solutions?

Minetek’s evaporators stand out due to their capacity to handle water with high TDS and TSS, managing complex wastewater varieties with minimal environmental impact. This ability to efficiently process diverse water qualities means significant cost savings over traditional methods.

Plus, the customizable system means it can be easily adapted to meet specific operational needs around the globe, delivering enhanced efficiency and ecological stewardship.

Streamline compliance while optimizing industrial water management

Effective water management in the industrial sector is more crucial than ever. Minetek provides advanced solutions tailored to help power plants and other companies with their water utilities management by streamlining – and sometimes even eliminating the need for – water wastewater treatment.

With over 600 successful projects globally, we’re at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions for challenges like high rainfall water management and evaporation control. Our commitment to pioneering technology means you can trust our solutions to be both cost-effective and reliable.

Choose Minetek to maintain regulatory compliance and drive efficiency in your water management practices.