Latest news with #waterrecycling
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
‘Tastes like water': how a US facility is recycling sewage to drink
As the pumps whir around us, Denis Bilodeau motions to the liquid in the vats below. It looks like iced tea, but in fact it's secondary treated sewage, cleaned of any solids by the plant next door. In less than an hour, and after three steps of processing, we will be drinking it – as pure water. The Groundwater Replenishment System facility in Orange County, California, houses the pipes, filters and pumps to move up to 130m gallons each day – enough for 1 million people – processing it from dark to clear. The facility, which opened in 2008, is part of broader moves to help conserve water. Bilodeau, the president of the water district, says: 'This is going to be a blueprint for any community that's facing water scarcity, or wants to have more locally controlled water.' The idea is to take the water from the sanitation district next door and to push it through a three-step process – microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light purification – to make clean water. The facility provides 45% of central Orange County's water and helps manage stormwater inflows and reduce reliance on imported water. View image in fullscreen The Orange County project generates about 130m million gallons of clean drinking water each day –enough for 1 million people. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty In general, once sewage has been treated, the water is returned to our rivers, but extreme droughts and climate change are pushing cities to consider using recycled sewage for drinking water. It is already done in Israel, Singapore and Kuwait, but Orange County has been a US pioneer in this area, hoping to reduce dependence on water piped from faraway rivers or pumped from shrinking aquifers under the ground. Orange County has a population of about 3 million and gets about 14 inches (35.5cm) of rain per year, some years far less, so recycling isn't just a way to reduce costs, it's a way to make sure everyone has what they need. 'Everything's going to have to be reclaimed and recycled,' says Bilodeau. When the liquid reaches the plant it has already been through some treatment and is clean enough to discharge into the oceans, but nowhere near clean enough to drink. The first step is to pump the water through bundles of hollow polypropylene fibres – which look like tiny plastic straws – to remove particulates as well as bacteria and other unwanted elements. Pipes then carry the filtered water to a building to undergo reverse osmosis, where it is pushed through membranes that squeeze out the salts, organic chemicals and any pharmaceutical leftovers. View image in fullscreen Pipes carry the filtered water to a building to undergo reverse osmosis, where it is pushed through membranes that squeeze out the salts, organic chemicals and any pharmaceutical leftovers. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Finally, the water is blasted with high-intensity ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide to disinfect anything that might remain. 'It's concentrated sunlight,' Bilodeau says, 'like what you would see in a tanning booth.' Except this would injure your eyes, because it's so strong. After walking around all three buildings, we reach a sink with running, clear water. I drink a cup of the stuff, expecting a whiff of what it used to be – but no, it's super clean, with almost a flat taste. That's because it no longer contains any salts or minerals – they have been blasted out by the cleaning process. On the cup is a motto, 'Tastes like water … because it is water', chosen because it is the number one comment, says Mehul Patel, the executive director of operations at the Orange County Water District, who oversees the facility. 'There was a misperception that it tastes different or tastes like something,' he says. 'We're trying to show people scientifically, water is just water.' 'We wanted full transparency,' adds Bilodeau, 'because we're talking about serving recycled wastewater to people.' Even though we are drinking the super-clean water out of the facility, the liquid will actually head back underground. Some of it will travel in pipes to the coastline of the Pacific Ocean where it will serve as a buffer to keep the salty water out of the coastal aquifer. Most of it will zoom 15 miles in pipelines to the city of Anaheim, where it will create lakes to percolate down into the aquifer and replenish the water that people drink in the county. 'It's the one that's consistent, because we can control it,' says Bilodeau. 'And that's a big reason why we invested in recycled water so heavily.' skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Down to Earth Free weekly newsletter The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion The big drawback to this system is that making water – instead of sucking it from the ground – takes a huge amount of energy and manpower. The system consumes 17 megawatts of electricity and has a monthly electricity bill of $2.5m (£1.85m), while to run the place takes 26 operators. But the technology also offers some control over an increasingly climate-changed future: Bilodeau says the team estimates several years ahead in terms of what they think their water needs will be and what the water sources will be. 'That's one of the main reasons why we developed this,' he adds. 'Because we wanted to sort of diversify our supply portfolio.' View image in fullscreen A sample of purified water, left, flows next to wastewater following the microfiltration treatment process. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Some places are looking to the oceans for drinking water, but wastewater is more cost-effective as a source of water, Bilodeau says, because there are fewer salts in wastewater than sea water. That makes the energy costs of cleaning the water about half of what it would be to desalinate. The model is increasingly being used in other water-scarce regions in the US. Los Angeles County is building a water recycling project in the San Fernando Valley to produce 20m gallons a day. Instead of sending treated wastewater out to sea, it will be cleaned for drinking water, just like in Orange County. There are also projects starting in Utah, Texas and Colorado. California's State Water Resources Control Board approved regulations for direct potable reuse in October 2024, which allow purified water to go directly into drinking water systems instead of being mixed in with other water sources. The technology in the treatment process allows for the water to be even cleaner than most drinking water. The Orange County model has won awards, including a Guinness World Records title for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours on 16 February 2018. But the best praise is the public support for the water, says Bilodeau – and the economic argument behind it. 'It's now cheaper to make our own water than to buy imported water, or to clean sea water,' he says.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Langport water centre gets £11m refurb for cleaner rivers
A water recycling centre has undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment to better filter chemicals from sewage £11 million project carried out by Wessex Water at Langport over the past 18 months is meant to improve the water quality of the River Parrett and other Somerset manager Victoria Plummer said: "Chemicals like phosphorus can cause large growths of algae in waterways, damaging plants and animals in those areas by depleting the amount of oxygen in the water."In the last few years, more than £40 million of similar work to improve treatment methods has been completed or got started across Somerset. This includes work on sites near Martock, Crewkerne and Merriott, all close to the River nearby Somerton, more than £5 million was spent to remove chemicals and enhance the water recycling centre to protect the nearby River north, a £5 million Wessex Water project to build an integrated constructed wetland to naturally remove nutrients is expected to get under way near Shapwick next Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing Ofwat's final determination of Wessex Water's 2025-30 business plan, which has outlined further action to tackle nutrients in the region's fully accepted by the CMA, the plans include investing £820 million in river and coastal water quality by upgrading treatment sites and removing 1,550 tonnes of nutrients from waterways.
Entrepreneur
12-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Welspun to Invest INR 2,400 Crore in Sintex; Targets 5% Share Pipes Market by 2030
While continuing to grow in the premium water tank segment, which sees around 12 per cent growth, the company is realigning capacity to reduce freight costs and expand its reach, particularly in tier II and III cities. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The Welspun Group is steering its newly acquired brand Sintex into fresh territory beyond its well-known water storage tanks, with an ambitious plan to capture 5 per cent of India's highly competitive pipes market within the next seven years. Sintex, which was acquired by Welspun in March 2023 through a corporate insolvency resolution process for INR 1,251 crore, is now being repositioned into new verticals including pipes, water recycling, and electrical components. The diversification strategy reflects the Goenka family-led group's aggressive investment approach toward expanding Sintex's capacity, product offerings, and national footprint. "So our plan is to get into all the different categories. We are in the storage for water tanks. We are getting into transportation, which is the full range of pipes. We will get into the treatment of water as well," said Yashovardhan Agarwal, managing director of Welspun BAPL and director at Sintex, in an interview with PTI. Agarwal revealed that Sintex has already begun prototyping for its pipes business and is targeting a nationwide presence in under a year. Additionally, the company is entering the water recycling space, with a focus on water reclamation and harvesting. "We have already announced last year, INR 2,400 crore as investment in capacity, in which INR 300 crore to INR 350 crore has already been invested," he added. The group has inherited five manufacturing units from Sintex and added three more, including a newly acquired firm, Weetek Plastics in Raipur, for INR 75 crore. "We are already tripling its capacity. We have started a plant in Sonipat near Delhi for tanks, and Bhopal, the biggest one right now, is for the full range of pipes," Agarwal said. Sintex currently has a INR 600 crore business, after shedding non-core segments post-acquisition. While continuing to grow in the premium water tank segment, which sees around 12 per cent growth, the company is realigning capacity to reduce freight costs and expand its reach, particularly in tier II and III cities. "When we acquired the company, it was in shambles. You have to fix the company inside. You have to bring transparency. Now the results are going to come back," said Agarwal.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ARIS Q1 Earnings Call: Revenue Tops Expectations, Margin Headwinds and Strategic Initiatives in Focus
Water handling and recycling company Aris Water (NYSE:ARIS) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 16.5% year on year to $120.5 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.24 per share was 16.6% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy ARIS? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $120.5 million vs analyst estimates of $113.1 million (16.5% year-on-year growth, 6.5% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.24 vs analyst expectations of $0.28 (16.6% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $56.54 million vs analyst estimates of $52.54 million (46.9% margin, 7.6% beat) EBITDA guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $52.5 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $56.59 million Operating Margin: 23.1%, down from 26.9% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow was -$27.23 million, down from $24.23 million in the same quarter last year Sales Volumes rose 3% year on year (6% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $703.1 million Aris Water reported first quarter results driven by higher-than-expected customer activity and record produced water and water supply volumes, which management attributed to robust completion activity and strong demand for water takeaway services. CEO Amanda Brock highlighted the successful integration of the McNeill Ranch acquisition and cited the company's ability to accelerate growth as land values rise in key production regions. Management also discussed ongoing efforts to commercialize new revenue streams, including solar and surface royalty projects at the Ranch, and progress in large-scale water recycling and beneficial reuse partnerships. Looking ahead, management emphasized uncertainty in the second half of the year due to commodity price fluctuations and potential tariff impacts. CFO Stephan Tompsett described the company's capital allocation flexibility, noting that Aris Water can adjust investment in response to customer activity levels. The company remains focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and delivering free cash flow, with Brock stating, 'We are positioned to moderate our capital investments alongside our customers if and as needed.' Aris Water's latest quarter was shaped by elevated water handling volumes, successful integration of new assets, and early contributions from strategic initiatives beyond its core business. Margin pressures and capital investment discipline were recurring themes throughout management's remarks. Record water volumes: Management credited higher-than-expected customer activity and increased spot (interruptible) volume demand for producing record sequential growth in both produced water handling and water supply. McNeill Ranch progress: The first full quarter of integrating McNeill Ranch exceeded expectations, with management reporting strong inbound interest from potential partners for solar and other surface projects, as well as new disposal permits already secured. Beneficial reuse acceleration: The company advanced its initiatives in large-scale desalination and water recycling, partnering with operators to reduce desalination costs and progressing on permitting for reservoir replenishment and industrial use. Industrial water treatment expansion: Aris Water further integrated a recently acquired team focused on industrial water treatment, aiming to expand beyond oilfield services and diversify revenue streams. Cost management and capital flexibility: Management stressed the company's ability to reduce capital spending by 25%-30% if customer activity slows, and highlighted maintaining balance sheet strength as a top priority amid ongoing volatility in oil prices and tariffs. Management's outlook for the remainder of the year centers on adapting to customer activity trends, commodity price movements, and the continued commercialization of new business lines. Customer activity and oil prices: The company's growth is closely tied to customer drilling and completion levels, which could be affected by changing oil prices. Aris Water's long-term contracts with large operators provide some revenue stability, but management remains alert to possible reductions in customer activity. Expansion of new revenue streams: Strategic efforts to monetize McNeill Ranch through surface projects and to commercialize beneficial reuse and mineral extraction (such as iodine and potentially magnesium) are expected to drive incremental revenue and margin opportunities over time. Operational flexibility amid uncertainty: Management cited the ability to scale down capital investments quickly as a key mitigant to potential downturns, aiming to protect free cash flow and maintain dividends even if market conditions worsen. Wade Suki (Capital One): Asked how Aris Water would respond if its customers shifted to maintenance mode; management explained it could reduce capital expenditures by 25%-30% and expects water cuts to remain stable. Jackie Koletas (Goldman Sachs): Queried about strong Q1 volumes and the sustainability of spot volume contributions; management noted some wells outperformed and that spot volumes are difficult to forecast, viewed as incremental rather than core. Spiro Dounis (Citi): Requested color on the timeline and commercial potential of McNeill Ranch; management described strong inbound interest and ongoing permitting progress, but said they are 'in early innings' on full monetization. Jeremy Tonet (JPMorgan): Investigated competitive positioning versus other midstreamers expanding in water; management said its geographic footprint and long-term contracts provide insulation, and it continues to pursue its own pipeline development. Derrick Whitfield (Texas Capital): Sought insight on the cost structure of desalination and potential for beneficial reuse to become cost-competitive; management stated that operational expenses are trending below $1 per barrel, though commercial scale remains in development. In upcoming quarters, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the sustainability of elevated water volumes and the cadence of customer drilling and completion activity, (2) progress and commercial traction at McNeill Ranch, including new surface or mineral projects, and (3) the company's ability to scale beneficial reuse and industrial water treatment initiatives. We will also watch for updates on capital allocation and any changes in customer behavior in response to commodity price or tariff shifts. Aris Water currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 14.6×. Should you load up, cash out, or stay put? The answer lies in our free research report. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
