COMMUNITY PROJECT

Case: A Faith Community located in South East of Brazil contacted me to solve a long-term problem of potable water at their site. The groundwater contained high red-orange colour levels adhering to all reservoirs, pipelines, showers, and ceramics at their house. It was a health and aesthetic issue for all.

Location: Pousada Harmonia (Harmony Inn), Brazil 1999

Problem-solving: The project involved sample collection and laboratory analysis, understanding the amount of water used in peak consumption periods versus the availability of the underground reservoir in the dry season. I found an extraordinary amount of Iron and Manganese metals present, causing the problems.

I devised a chemical treatment of the ferruginous water using chemical products similar to those used in water stations such as ANGLIAN WATER. The process encompassed seven stages: the water was pumped from the groundwater into a receiving tank, flocculation in a stirring tank, decantation, filtration, chlorination, storage, and distribution. That is a typical process of an extensive treatment plant on a reduced scale to serve a floating community of up to 300 people.

End of the project: The project took four months to be concluded, within the time scale and the budget, bringing drinkable water and conforming to the local H&S regulations.