Towards a smart & integral treatment of natural radioactivity
in water provision services
LIFE ALCHEMIA addresses one of the current challenges of water for human consumption such as the presence of natural radioactivity. There is a considerable lack of knowledge by the actors involved and it can be stated that, despite the current legislation (Directive 2013/51/Euratom), radioactivity is not systematically monitored at European level. Indeed, this is an environmental problem that cannot be solved at source, as it is generated by the groundwater dilution of minerals rich in radioactive isotopes, mainly from uranium (U), radium (Ra) and thorium (Th) series. Therefore, new systems able to provide sustainable removal of radioactivity from a cost-effectiveness point of view are needed. Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most commonly treatment used for this application; however carbon footprint of this process is very high and generates large volumes of water rejection with radioactivity that needs further treatment. LIFE ALCHEMIA offers a breakthrough in this problem from two angles. First, with the use of removal systems based on bed filters, which will reduce up to five times the cost of the water purification. Moreover, the whole life cycle of the radioactivity will be considered, including the management of the waste generated.
Objectives
To demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of bed filters that will be optimized to remove radioactivity from water and to minimize the generation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) exceeding the exemption level …
Expected results
In quantitative terms, LIFE ALCHEMIA will lead to the following results: 4 filter-based pilot plants will provide removal rates of gross alpha and beta activity up to 90%, and reductions in the concentrations of specific radionuclides (U and Ra) between 75% and 90% …
Improving drinking water quality
Building a sustainable futureProject news
Latest activity in LIFE ALCHEMIA
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Water characterization of the pilot plant in Tahal (Almería)
Last sampling tasks for water characterization in the pilot plants (Action A3). For this, partners of CIESOL and Diputación de Almería have traveled to the municipality of Tahal, where one of the...
Characterization of the DWTP water in Benizalón (Almería)
Continue with the tasks within the preparatory action A3: Selection of catalytic filter media. Personnel of CIESOL and Diputación de Almería are characterizing the water of the DWTP of Benizalón,...
Water characterization of the pilot plant in Alboloduy (Almería)
Within the preparatory action A3: Selection of catalitic filter media, partners of CIESOL and Diputación de Almería are taking samples for the characterization of water in Alboloduy, where finally...
Sample preparation procedure. Radioactivity measurement
Within the preparatory action A4: Optimizing the operation conditions for the HMO technology (Estonian Demo), University of Tartu has been working on to elaborate on the baseline and important...
Radio interview on Cadena COPE
The Special Radio Program "Prioridad Agua" of the Cadena COPE, has interviewed Javier Martínez of Diputación de Almería, to talk about the LIFE ALCHEMIA project. To listen the entire interview...
Visit to DWTP of Alboloduy (Almería)
Diputación de Almería visits the ETAP of Alboloduy, which is considered as a possible location of one of the three pilot plants of Spain in Almería.
Environmental awareness
Some project figures
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%
NORM reduction genetared during the elimination of radioactivity
%
Cost reduction in water treatment
%
Alpha and beta radioactivity reduction in pilot plants
%
Environmental impact reduction
Participate with LIFE ALCHEMIA
Project evaluation online questionnaire and quick questionnaire about drinking water treatment plants (DWTP)
DWTP Database
Get access to our database of drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) that treat water with natural radioactivity in Europe