North of Mexico’s gigantic capital of Mexico City, one of the world’s largest wastewater treatment plants is being erected. The government’s ambitious goal is to be able to treat all of the country’s wastewaters by 2020.
In 1950, Mexico was the home of 26 million people. Water was part of the natural resources of this vast country. Today, Mexico’s population is approximately 107 million, and the country is struggling to provide enough water for everyone. The fact that population, industry and economic activity are all concentrated on regions with little water adds to the challenges the country is facing.
The population of the Mexico City metropolitan area has doubled to nearly 20 million people in a mere 35 years. Water supply has not been able to keep up the pace. Challenges are enormous and affect all areas of water supply.
Treating wastewater requires gigantic investments
Mexico’s incumbent president Felipe Calderón and his government have set reforming the country’s water supply as their primary objective. Treating wastewater is a central pillar in the government’s extensive nationwide water supply program, extending to the year 2030.
In 2006, Mexico had capacity to treat slightly over one-third of all municipal wastewaters. According to CONAGUA, the country’s water management authority, the figure today is more than 40 percent. The goal is to reach 60 percent in 2012, and 100 percent by 2020.
The enormous Atotonilco wastewater treatment plant, being built in the state of Hidalgo north of the capital, is a giant leap forward. The treatment plant is one of the largest in the world. Construction is planned to kick off in the first half of 2010, and the project is due for completion in 2012.
“Mexico’s municipal wastewater projects are extremely ambitious,” says Tuomas Rinne, Managing Director of Kemira de México.
“In addition to the capital, new wastewater treatment plants are being built in a number of other big cities in Mexico. The capacity of old plants is also being upgraded. My understanding is that all areas are pushing hard to complete the plans on schedule.”
Kemira’s sales increased in all sectors
Kemira has had operations in Mexico since 1998, and has two production plants there. The company is now the largest supplier of water treatment chemicals in the country.
The main product is liquid and solid aluminum sulfate for both the municipal sector and industry.
In addition to treating wastewater, Kemira’s products are also used for cleaning drinking water.
“Chemicals to treat drinking water are needed in large quantities during periods of heavy rain here. That’s when rivers that supply drinking water turn into sludge,” Tuomas Rinne says.
According to Rinne, the past couple of years have been exciting times for Kemira in Mexico.
“First, the increasing raw material prices got us on our toes. Now the economy is uncertain.”
Nevertheless, Kemira’s sales have increased in all areas, in particular in the Paper segment as Kemira has strengthened its position in board and tissue applications.
“We have started exporting water treatment chemicals to Central America and to the Caribbean. Kemira’s aluminum sulfate manufactured in Mexico and other water treatment chemicals are being used in as many as ten countries in the region,” Rinne states.
Kemira’s Oil & Mining segment has also launched operations in the region. Results have manifested faster than expected.
Rinne believes Mexico’s new wastewater treatment plants now under construction will have an impact on Kemira’s sales within a couple of years.
Mexico’s national water commission an important customer
Kemira’s international experience and know-how are customized to fit local conditions as much as possible. In Mexico, Kemira has strengthened its competitiveness by tapping into local expertise and competence.
“It is of utmost importance that we listen to the customers and understand their needs,” Rinne says.
The majority of drinking water treatment plants in Mexico are operated directly by the cities. In many areas, wastewater treatment is privatized although the public sector is in charge of planning the new plants.
“Mexico’s National Water Commission CONAGUA is a highly valued partner for Kemira. It is also our biggest customer here,” Rinne comments.
CONAGUA is in charge of drinking water treatment in Cutzamala where approximately a quarter of the water consumed in the Valley of Mexico is produced from surface waters.
“Kemira has been supplying CONAGUA with aluminum sulfate for several years. We have safeguarded deliveries even during turmoil in the world market for raw materials”.
Kemira has also offered CONAGUA potential solutions for wastewater treatment, for example to combine the chemical treatment process with a biological one.
Rinne thinks that in Mexico wastewater treatment will combine the best of both worlds in chemical and biological processing.
Sewage sludge turned to biogas
Kemira’s competence is also needed when the putrefaction of sludge generated in wastewater treatment becomes more common and biogas recovered from sludge is used for energy. For example, the Atotonilco treatment plant aims to cover more than half of its energy needs with biogas.
“Traditionally, the treatment and disposal of sludge have been costly in the treatment process. However, now there is growing interest in maximizing the volume of biogas recovered from sludge and, concurrently, in reducing the amount of sludge. Chemicals administered in the treatment process can play a role in this,” Rinne says.
Read the full article in Kemira’s stakeholder magazine WaterLink 1/2010