AWWA MTC64592

In July 2002 the Intermunicipal Water Company of the Veurne region (IWVA) integrated wastewater effluent in the drinking-water production process. After using ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) the treated effluent recharges the dune aquifer. It flows through the dune sands during a minimum time of approximately 40 days and then it is recaptured together with a surplus of natural groundwater. After aeration and sand filtration it becomes drinking water again. The main drivers for using membranes were the high quality standards set for infiltration water and the limited space available for treatment facilities. This paper presents the experiences from the start-up until January 2007. Includes reference, tables, figures.