Public News|The invisible water plant and visible park

On October 11, our reporter explored the Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant of China Water Environment Group, situated in Xi'an (hereinafter referred to as "Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant"). The subtle gurgling of treated water accompanied our journey along a vibrant blue walkway, leading to a captivating scene of small white pavilions, lush greenery, and various fitness facilities.

"The water flowing through the man-made landscape waterfalls and water for other purposes in the park is derived from the tailwater treated by the underground reclaimed water plant. Though this treated water is not suitable for direct consumption, it meets the standards set for urban landscape water systems and greening irrigation." Sha Long, the general manager of the plant, explained that their approach employs distributed sinking reclaimed water ecosystem technology. This involves placing sewage treatment equipment underground and developing scenic parks above ground, showcasing a vivid realization of the harmonious and ecological city construction concept.

As Sha Long described, the above-ground landscape park spans 16,000 square meters, featuring 9,800 square meters of green space and a 1,100 square meter landscape water system. Equipped with ecological greenways, landscape pavilions, circulating water systems, fitness facilities, and educational exhibits, the park utilizes reclaimed water for all landscaping and irrigation needs, saving approximately 25,000 cubic meters of water resources annually. Since its July opening, the park has become a popular hub for relaxation and entertainment among locals. "At present, all the water used in the park comes from the water plant. Next, we'll work to enhance residents' awareness through the establishment of an environmental protection science museum, coupled with a tailwater wetland landscape." Sha Long said.

Additionally, the Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant incorporates water source energy replacement technology. This innovation provides heating in winter and cooling in summer for office, accommodation, and surrounding buildings, contributing to urban pollution control, haze reduction, enhancement of the water environment quality in the Bahe River Basin, and overall energy conservation. "We've achieved seamless integration among the pipe gallery layer, operational layer, and the open park on the ground, effectively realizing tail water recycling." Sha Long said.

All functional treatment areas within the reclaimed water plant are interconnected through expansive underground passages. The high-speed underground plant serves as the key for achieving the 'multi-purpose use of a single water source' concept for reclaimed water.

The Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant stands as the city's inaugural sunken reclaimed water facility, constructed and operated under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The envisioned sewage treatment capacity is 180,000 tons per day, with the initial phase set at 100,000 tons per day. This phased implementation unfolds in two stages, with the initial phase catering to 50,000 tons per day. At present, a central control system enables intelligent equipment linkage and remote management, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the groundwater plant.

Sha Long outlined three key advantages of the distributed sinking reclaimed water ecosystem technology: environmental friendliness, efficient land use, and resource optimization. Sharon emphasized that, in terms of both environmental and economic value, the water plant has successfully mitigated the odors and noise associated with conventional above-ground water plants, achieving the objective of environmental friendliness. From a land-use perspective, the water plant strategically utilizes underground space, requiring only one-third of the space compared to traditional ground-based sewage treatment plants with equivalent treatment capacities. In the realm of resource utilization, the plant not only minimizes investment and operational expenses in sewage collection and pipe network transportation but also serves as a valuable source of municipal water for activities such as greening irrigation and road spraying in cities. Additionally, it provides refrigeration and heating for offices, accommodations, and surrounding structures within the facility, contributing to energy savings and emissions reduction in urban areas.

Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant currently produces 15 million tons of reclaimed water annually, supporting municipal landscaping, river ecological restoration, and various urban applications. The plant also transforms produced sludge into nutrient-rich soil, contributing to resource utilization. "Going forward, we plan to leverage the valuable experience gained from water plants in the realm of green development and share more green practices within the sphere of water environment construction with the public, fostering a deep-seated adoption of the green lifestyle among the community." Sha Long said.

From the builder: Sha Long, General Manager of Xi'an No.12 Reclaimed Water Plant of China Water Environment Group

Reclaimed water is an important part of the urban water security system, which plays a vital role in the sustainable improvement of the urban ecological environment. The treated reclaimed water from Xi'an No.12 Reclaimed Water Plant primarily serves purposes such as ecological replenishment of the Bahe River, restoration of the park water system, and various urban applications, including municipal road maintenance, green space upkeep and watering, road sweeping, cleaning, and vehicle washing. Moving forward, Xi'an No. 12 Reclaimed Water Plant will steadfastly uphold green development principles, focusing on enhancing water management and optimizing reclaimed water utilization for sustainable ecological improvement.