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Lecture on arsenic and uranium removal from drinking water

Lecture on arsenic and uranium removal from drinking water

On February 6th, 2025, the regional working group of Austrian official experts for drinking water treatment and snowmaking systems met in Salzburg for their annual meeting. We were invited by our Tyrolean subsidiary, hydroFilt, to give a presentation on the topic of “Removal of arsenic and uranium in drinking water treatment”. After a short round of introductions of the participants, the event started at around 10 a.m.: Peter Rose opened the lecture with a brief introduction of hydroFilt and Hydroisotop, whereupon Florian Blum immediately followed up and presented the background to the contamination of Austrian groundwater with arsenic and uranium. After a brief overview of the origin, mobility and toxicity as well as the limit value situation, the focus was entirely on the topic of drinking water treatment. Florian Blum addressed the basics of adsorption and ion exchange. Peter Rose presented the current state of the art of possible treatment processes for arsenic and uranium removal. Both speakers showed how a treatment project is developed from planning to implementation. Using practical case studies, the participants were shown the possibilities in the operation of arsenic and uranium treatment plants and the challenges that arise in the course of project planning, construction and subsequent plant operation. A special focus of the presentation was always on the water itself. It quickly became clear that without detailed knowledge of the hydraulic and hydrochemical boundary conditions, arsenic and uranium treatment cannot be operated in line with requirements. A stimulating discussion already developed during the lecture. The lecture on arsenic and uranium processing was a fruitful and enriching exchange of experience for both sides.