9/38
5.1 The treatment of the water
The UO SMALL unit is designed for the treatment of technical waters; it represents a technological
solution for the treatment of municipal water and adds value to the local resource as the filters
applied at the extraction point enhance the water and make for a more satisfying consumption of the
water resources. It is known that potable water analysed at the tap, while respecting the chemical
and physical parameters within the limits provided by law, may have unpleasant odours and traces
of unwanted substances and biological contaminants.
The issues relating to the health aspects of municipal water are essentially two:
1.
The condition of the conduits: at least 30% of water is lost between the source and the tap;
older pipes may release materials that are carried by the water or inorganic and organic trace
substances may be accidentally introduced during maintenance work;
2.
Chlorine: most purification systems employ chlorination processes. Substances such as
sodium hypochlorite or chlorine dioxide, which by their unstable nature dismutate into chlorine
(used to kill bacteria) and chloride, are added in such quantities as to ensure the bactericidal action
up to the point of extraction. The chlorine ensures the safety of the water because it runs with water
right up to the tap. It is therefore essential for the protection of public health in order to ensure
bacteriological control. Unfortunately it releases an unpleasant odour that combines with other
organic gases to alter the organoleptic properties of water.
The purpose in designing the UO SMALL is to present the consumer with a solution that allows a
finishing system, (refinement) of municipal water at the end of its journey through the pipes in
order to enhance the organoleptic properties without altering the saline content. It is therefore
suitable for all aqueduct waters for technical use, and at the same time represents a solution to any
real or suspected problem, foreseeable or unforeseeable.
The treatment carried out on the water can be summarised as follows:
1.
Elimination of all suspended impurities;
2.
Elimination of chlorine taste and odour
The UO SMALL system is therefore able to be used in order to deprive water of chlorine smells and
any substances in suspension. A refinement process, therefore, at the end of the passage through the
tubes in order to enhance the organoleptic properties of potable water, without altering the saline
content.
The UO SMALL system can only accept input water as defined in Directive 98/83/EC of 03/11/98,
or Leg. Decree 31/2001.
The filter traps suspended matter down to 0.005 microns, and according to tests conducted at
Serchem Laboratory, showed total effectiveness against chemicals such as chlorine, derivatives of
microorganisms and large organic molecules that may be present in very low concentrations in
potable water distributed through urban networks.