Project Will Supply 20% of Barcelona's Drinking Water Supply
For Immediate Release:
TREVOSE, PA (September 20, 2006) --- GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), today announced plans to upgrade Aigües Ter-Llobregat's (ATLL) existing water treatment facility in Abrera, Spain with GE electrodialysis reversal (EDR) technology. GE's water treatment technology will assist ATLL in supplying a trustworthy drinking water source for approximately 20% (200,000 m3 per day) of Barcelona, Spain's metropolitan region. When completed, the facility will be the world's largest EDR plant by nearly four times its predecessors.
"GE technology will help provide a consistent source of safe drinking water for the people of Barcelona" said Jeff Garwood, president and CEO of GE Water & Process Technologies. "By providing an efficient, dependable, contaminant-free water supply, GE works to empower industries and communities, like Barcelona, with the right technologies and solutions to resolve their water quality, scarcity, and regulatory concerns."
For the past two years, GE and ATLL piloted the project focused on increasing Barcelona's supply of quality drinking water. GE's EDR technology uses an electrochemical separation process to remove potentially harmful contaminants found in many source waters, like Barcelona's Llobregap River. While improving the overall availability of quality drinking water, the technology will also allow the facility to operate at the exceptionally high water recovery rate - 90%; strategically deal with a dynamic water source; as well as, resist damaging fouling that can decrease a plant's operating performance or even shorten the overall lifespan of a plant. GE's technology will also help the plant improve overall efficiency and productivity.
ATLL project upgrades are estimated at the USD $25 million. Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of this September
For more information on GE's EDR technology, please visit www.gewater.com
GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company, is solving some of the world's most pressing water challenges by providing industrial, agricultural and potable water, while lessening our dependence on fresh water sources. Technologies to accomplish this include desalination, advanced membrane, separation solutions, and water reuse and wastewater management and process technologies. GE delivers value to customers by improving performance and product quality, reducing operating costs and extending equipment life. For more information on GE Water & Process Technologies, visit www.gewater.com.
Media Contact:
Ellen Mellody
+ 1 215-989-302509