As part of a long-term collaborative partnership with a major food manufacturing business, Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) has helped improve operational costs and minimise the risk of downtime with improvements to the site’s water treatment system.
The site in northwest England produces a range of baked snack products and relies on a consistent supply of purified water for use in the production process. A key part of the water treatment on the site is a chlorine dioxide system that treats all incoming mains water supplying the factory. Water treated by this system is used for everything from process water to hand washing.
VWT UK has a long-standing and trusted relationship with the manufacturer. In 2022, the site was experiencing increased chemical usage and its chlorine dioxide generator was becoming mechanically unreliable, requiring new parts and frequent service callouts. The recurrence of these issues had the potential to impact the production process in addition to the increased cost of maintenance. As a result, VWT UK recommended that the unit be replaced, and following a discussion with the client, a new chlorine dioxide generator was selected.
Sandra Rountree, National Account Manager at VWT UK explained:
“While we have a wide range of solutions for the food and beverage sector, we suggested a direct replacement of the chlorine dioxide unit due to the fact that the system as a whole was still in good condition. Also, the familiarity that the team on site had with this type of system meant there would be a minimal impact on them.”
VWT UK worked closely with the client throughout the process from planning and specification to installation and aftercare. In particular, VWT UK ensured that the installation of the new unit was carried out as quickly as possible with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
As a result of the replacement, the site has experienced an improved performance from the water treatment system. By ensuring more consistent chlorine dioxide reserves are maintained, the system has helped the site to guarantee full compliance at all times. Plus, as a precursor, chemical usage has been reduced by 50%. This has produced significant cost savings with minimum dosing whilst producing maximum results. Level sensors installed in the tanks ensure that chemical reserves are monitored closely to allow orders to be placed in plenty of time, preventing stockouts.
VWT UK also provides several other services to the manufacturer, including:
- Legionella control and sampling
- Tank cleaning and disinfection
- Steam boiler water treatment
- Softener servicing
- Effluent treatment chemical supply
Sandra concluded: “We have a long and collaborative partnership with the client and have invested time over the years in understanding the business and its requirements fully. The nearly decade-long relationship is in no small part due to the comprehensive range of services and support we provide, something that few water treatment specialists can offer.”
