22 November 2002
New
Treatment Plant Protects Chile's Water

Water Clarifiers
at the wastewater treatment plant in Calama
A further
step has been taken to ensure the protection of the precious water supply
in Northern Chile's Atacama desert. The recent opening of Cascal's wastewater
treatment plant in Calama has stopped the discharge of raw sewage into
local streams preventing contamination of the water supply. This plant
uses the latest treatment technology to produce a final effluent that
meets environmental standards.
The
town of Calama is close to the World's largest copper mine, Chuquicamata
and has a population of 150,000 people. The growth of Chile's copper
industry has had a direct impact on the mining town, where existing
infrastructure is struggling to cope with the growing population.
This
BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) project consists of design, construction
and operation of the plant that will process approximately 250 litres
per second of sewage. Construction commenced in July 2001 and the plant
was completed in July 2002. Since completion Cascal has worked together
with state owned Essan (Empresa de Servicios Sanitarios de Antofagasta)
over a three-month commissioning period to ensure the plant meets the
standards set by the Environmental Authority and the Sanitary Services
Superintendence.
Following
successful commissioning, the Calama wastewater treatment plant commenced
full operations during October.
For
more information please send an e-mail to the Marketing Manager,
enquiries@cascal.co.uk