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Raw water & drinking water

Less than 3% of all water on earth is freshwater and, because most of that is locked in ice caps or deep underground, only 1% is available to us. Since life is impossible without H2O, which makes up around 60% of our bodies, taking care of the world’s freshwater is of the utmost importance.

Large variability in surface water quality means raw water is very rarely good enough to be used for drinking or industrial processes without treatment. We help both municipalities and water-intensive industries meet their required quality standards with our application expertise throughout the water cycle.

Drinking water

Drinking water producers are faced with ever-deteriorating quality of raw water, as well as ever-tightening regulations for safe and clean potable water. Raw water contains varying proportions of organic decomposition products, sand/clay particles, algae, bacteria and viruses and pH may fluctuate as well. Coagulation and flocculation are the most effective treatment methods. The coagulants, polymers and antiscalants in our portfolio are FDA compliant and NSF certified.

But it is our expertise that makes all the difference. By offering our R&D and technology expertise to the water market, based on decades of experience in a broad range of applications, we can help you meet your requirements for safe drinking water. The reliable and responsible Kemira supply chain ensures the peace-of-mind you need for steady delivery.

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Desalination and water reuse

In areas where natural groundwater or surface water cannot meet demand, seawater and brackish water are desalted and processed into drinking water and process water. To make this kind of water usable, the main salt components, sodium and chloride, must be removed by using a special membrane technology called Reverse Osmosis (RO).

Membrane technology is also utilized in water reuse applications. This means treatment and recycling of wastewater to be used in industrial processes, agriculture or in some cases for municipal purposes. Not all water that is utilized needs to be drinking water quality.

Kemira offers a holistic, cost-effective membrane program for desalination plants and water reuse applications. Based on our expert analysis, we offer an optimized solution for both the pretreatment and the membrane processes, with a full range product offering coupled with monitoring and optimizing technologies.

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Color, taste and appearance

Nobody appreciates suspicious color, taste or appearance in their water. Removal of suspended solids is one important issue when aiming to produce healthy and aesthetic water. We have developed safe and certified coagulants and flocculants with high-performing properties for removing suspended solids. With a little help from Kemira, you can reach exceptionally low residual particle matter.

Color may be caused by dissolved organic matter, like humic and fulvic acids, or can also result from mineral impurities such as iron and manganese. Chemical coagulation is an effective method to achieve color removal and improve water quality.

For metal removal, our products are commonly used for precipitation of both particle-bound and dissolved heavy metals. By combining coagulants and flocculants, the treatment is most effective. We also offer chemistries for the reduction or oxidation of metal ions to make them easier to separate – and for selected heavy metals, adsorbents can work as an alternative treatment method.

Our long experience and comprehensive water treatment process know-how is available to resolve your specific water quality problems.

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Process water

Each process water system is different and requires products that are customized depending on the water quality, branch of industry and process parameters. Water reuse is also a viable option in industrial settings, especially in water-scarce areas. With the right treatment technologies, water can be reused through several cycles, which helps to balance the gap between water supply and demand. In all cases, getting the chemistry right is extremely important for maximum efficiency, while minimizing damage to equipment and maintenance shutdowns.

We help you optimize the total cost of process with lower energy and water consumption, and keep your equipment running reliably with less maintenance required.

Find out also how we can help with odor, corrosion, foam, struvite and scale control.

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