Work package WP 3: Water quality

Innovative early warning system for hydraulic facilities

Karst aquifers are generally highly vulnerable to pollution and are characterized by large variations in water quality. Therefore, in close cooperation with WP2, WP3 includes the technological development of an early warning system for abrasive particles and microbial contamination for the hydropower plant Seo Ho (Concept 1). The Early warning system ensures a minimum requirement of raw water quality and the protection of the conveying modules from abrasion damage. Based on an innovative online particle counter from Markus Klotz GmbH, the system will be exemplarily implemented at the reference unit and the associated water distribution system.

The development of the early warning system within WP3 includes:

• Time-resolved high-resolution characterization of the particle-size distribution and dynamics of the suspension load in the karst aquifer (input and output) and in the intake of the Seo Ho hydropower plant
• Development and implementation of an early warning system for contamination and abrasion risk based on a multichannel particle counter

Large-scale water treatment and point-of-use container system

Furthermore, a central goal is the development of an adapted concept for drinking water treatment in the project area and its large-scale implementation. The project aims to design classical (coagulation and filtration) and innovative (ceramic membranes) purification processes for particle removal and to investigate them on a small scale under on-site conditions. Development and construction of the small-scale plant are carried out together with the German scientific partner TZW and the industrial partner Hydroelektrik GmbH, Ravensburg. Considering the results of the investigations, a concept for a central water treatment plant for drinking water supply will be developed. This facility may be implemented on an industrial scale by the Vietnamese partners. In addition, it is planned to prepare the small-scale water treatment plant for a permanent operation in Dong Van. The point-of-use facility for drinking water will be provided to a suitable building (e.g., school, community or hospital). Target water quality for treatment is determined by applying existing Vietnamese regulations, the local requirements and in close coordination with the planned water distribution network.

Intended procedures for water treatment within WP3 include:

• Identification of suitable locations for small-scale and large-scale water treatment plants as well as for point-of-use applications
• Development and construction of a small-scale water treatment plant
• Training of Vietnamese staff in dealing with the small-scale plant in Germany and in Vietnam
• Transport of the small-scale plant to Vietnam and implementation in the project area
• Development of an adapted process concept and construction of a large-scale water treatment in the project area