EPCOR installs world's largest UV water treatment system in Edmonton, Alberta

Completed UV building.

What is claimed as the world's largest ultraviolet (UV) water treatment system, is being installed at the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton, Alberta. EPCOR is using the Sentinel UV Disinfection System, developed by Calgon Carbon Corporation. This system uses intense beams of ultraviolet light to provide highly efficient inactivation of viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

EPCOR says the Sentinel system will significantly increase the company's ability to treat organisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia -- intestinal protozoa, which can cause serious illnesses if left untreated.

What is Giardia?

Beaver Fever is the common name for a flu-like illness caused by a common intestinal parasite known as Giardia. The symptoms usually appear one to four weeks after ingesting a large amount of Giardia cysts. Giardia can be found even in otherwise pure mountain streams.

What is Cryptosporidium?

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite even smaller than Giardia, that can live in the intestines of humans and animals (hosts). Outside of the hosts the microbe is protected by a shell called an oocyst, so it is like a seed of a plant, very tough and long lasting. Once swallowed, the microbe emerges from its shell and infects the lining of the intestine. When this happens, some people get a disease called cryptosporidiosis.

What are the benefits of UV technology?

Ultraviolet light is a highly effective method of disinfecting potable water and is capable of inactivating organisms such as Cryptosporidium, which are resistant to traditional treatment methods. UV is a very safe method for disinfection as it produces no disinfection by-products and is a cost-effective solution to provide anywhere from 100 to 1,000 times the current safety factor in drinking water. It also has the added benefit that it can easily be retrofitted into existing facilities.

The $10 million UV system installation is the major component of an overall upgrade at the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant.

In 1976, the E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant was built upstream of the downtown core in the City of Edmonton. It has a maximum treatment capacity of 240 ML/day.

• The plant uses a multiple barrier treatment process with coagulation, clarification, filtration, and disinfection. The UV system is another barrier in the treatment process.
• In 2000, the plant produced 62,811 ML of water, or approximately 63 billion litres.

EPCOR will be showcasing the new treatment facility to utility representatives, and plans to market the Sentinel system.

Another Sentinel system has been purchased for the Canmore Water Treatment Plant, which is operated by EPCOR, and the Rossdale Water Treatment Plant in Edmonton will have a Sentinel system installed within two years.

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