Key points
When a water treatment system begins to present performance and efficiency issues, it’s important to act responsively. In many cases, system refurbishment represents the best option. Here, Daniel Parry, Head of Sales – Municipal and Industrial at Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) discusses the benefits of choosing refurbishment over replacement and why working with a water technologies provider can deliver real cost savings.
Making the right choice
It’s important to deal with water treatment system issues as soon as they occur. Whether the system is reaching the end of its lifecycle, or just functioning less effectively than before, there are implications associated with delaying action. In this situation, many businesses are left with a choice between refurbishment or replacement.
Particularly in times of economic uncertainty, it can sometimes be more advisable to embrace a refurbishment approach. In doing so, companies are able to extend the lifecycle of their systems, without having to compromise on quality or performance.
Time to refurb?
Whilst some companies feel obliged to replace poorly performing water treatment systems with new solutions, there still remain many practical benefits associated with system refurbishments. For one, system refurbishments can be far less disruptive to site activity and can enable companies to continue critical operations without the fear of lengthy delays.
When working with a water technologies expert, such as VWT UK, companies can even explore the possibility of refurbishment work outside of operational hours, which further mitigates the risk of on-site stoppages by using our temporary and mobile fleet of water treatment services.
In addition to this shorter timeframe, opting for a refurbishment can help companies to avoid expensive new build treatment plants. What’s more, refurbishment works can be delivered through a phased approach, which enables the spreading of costs over a longer time period.
As a result, refurbishment works often represent a much smaller financial risk than total replacements. Furthermore, by choosing to refurb, companies are only paying to fix areas of their water treatment systems that need updating and aren’t letting viable components be discarded.
Finally, it’s worthwhile remembering that refurbishments can help companies to reduce their carbon footprint. To this end, refurbished solutions avoid the embodied carbon needed to manufacture entirely new components. As such, businesses looking to reduce raw material consumption and manufacturing emissions are best served adopting this approach.
What’s more, refurbished systems are also able to improve existing energy efficiency performance. As such, when combined with the short-term embodied carbon savings, refurbishments often represent the environmentally conscious decision.
Still unsure?
Given the often-complex nature of water treatment systems it can sometimes be tempting to push for replacement solutions, even when they’re not needed. For companies that feel unsure about their best option, it’s advisable to contact a water technologies expert, such as VWT UK, who will be able to offer a free system health check.
The service helps businesses to make more informed choices with the guidance of a genuine industry expert. In turn, companies are able to optimise system performance and capacity, whilst still reducing operating and maintenance costs.
More than anything else, the system health check allows companies to better compare their options before making costly decisions. The service is non-obligatory and includes inspection and evaluation of all systems, including pre-treatment and make-up water.
Following the check, businesses will be provided with proposals and recommendations tailored to their existing systems, plus the benefits they can expect in terms of water quality performance, reduced OPEX and CAPEX costs, as well as minimised downtime and prevention of lost production.
Working it out
As a professional in the waste water sector, you’ll understand the varied nature of water treatment systems and the many different markets and sectors they serve on a daily basis. Therefore, you’re also in a good position to understand the nuances that come into any decisions regarding the refurbishment or replacement of water treatment systems. As this article explains, particularly in this current moment, it’s likely to be more practical for companies to prioritise the refurbishment of systems, and budget for replacement plans further down the road.
Fortunately, by partnering with a water technologies expert, such as VWT UK, companies working with water treatment systems are able to put themselves in the best position to make the right choice.
With our assistance, businesses across a wide-range of industries and sectors have access to high-performing, innovative replacement components to facilitate effective refurbishments, as well as the informed technical guidance of our team of expert engineers to conduct repairs.
To find out more about Veolia Water Technologies UK, please visit here
