Construction of a 1.4 million dollar activated carbon filtration plant undertaken by municipal services in an effort to combat PFAS contamination.
In an effort to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water, Stadtwerke (local utilities) are investing 1.4 million euros in the construction of a new filtration facility in Anrath, Germany. This facility, scheduled for completion in December 2025, will be equipped with eight parallel filter tanks, each with a volume of 20 cubic meters.
The primary purpose of this facility is to filter Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) out of the drinking water, a global concern due to their persistence and potential health risks. The filter material to be used is activated carbon from coal, capable of processing 640 cubic meters per hour at a pressure of up to two bar.
The new facility will also be able to filter out other unwanted substances such as pesticides. This development comes after the discovery of increased PFAS contamination in the Anrath well two years ago, during a preventive examination.
It's important to note that the history of PFAS contamination in Willich, the specifics of any new filtration plant, and the future implications for drinking water quality in that location were not found in the available search results. To gain more insights, it's recommended to consult local environmental agency reports, water utility publications for Willich, and regional news sources covering environmental issues.
The construction of this facility is a proactive measure, as the last well in Anrath serves as a protective well to deflect pollutants, while another well continues to serve the purpose of providing drinking water. If the PFAS levels were to increase before the facility goes into operation, preventive measures would be taken.
The annual operating costs for the Stadtwerke are estimated to be approximately 200,000 euros. The additional costs for operating the facility will be passed on to consumers via the water price, potentially amounting to around 20 euros more per household per year. However, if the party responsible for the PFAS contamination is identified and damages can be claimed, the price for households will decrease.
Incidentally, three men are suspected of illegally storing and disposing of firefighting foam via a Willich company, and charges have been brought against them. Firefighting foam is a common source of PFAS contamination.
Regular measurements have been taken since the PFAS detection two years ago, and values have mostly been below 100 nanograms. From 2026, the limit for PFAS in drinking water will be 100 nanograms per liter for 20 connections, and from 2028, it will be 20 nanograms for particularly problematic PFAS. The facility constructed by the Stadtwerke ensures compliance with the revised drinking water ordinance.
Two wells in the Anrath area have been out of operation since 2024. One well is only flushed to prevent the formation of germs, and no drinking water is extracted from the other well. The Stadtwerke have initiated the construction of a modern activated carbon filtration plant to prevent future contamination.
In conclusion, the new filtration facility in Anrath is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and quality of drinking water in the region. However, ongoing monitoring and advanced filtration will be crucial to maintain this standard, particularly in areas with known PFAS contamination.
The new filtration facility in Anrath, equipped with environmental-science-driven technology, willingly undergoes upgrades to eliminate PFAS and other unwanted substances like pesticides, acknowledging the potential health risks and environmental concerns associated with climate-change impact. The science-backed approach ensures compliance with the revised drinking water ordinance, emphasizing the commitment to health-and-wellness and environmental protection.
