Maximizing wastewater treatment

The Lahav Kibbutz, located 400m above sea level, was established in order to settle the eastern dessert (Negev) in Israel and to enhance the agriculture in the nearby fields. The first wastewater treatment plant upgrade was successfully completed in 2009. Due to the customer’s high satisfaction level, the Kibbutz approached us once again in order to perform a second upgrade to adjust to their changing needs, meet new regulations and increase the volume of treated flow. The full-scale wastewater treatment plant was successfully upgraded and has been operating continuously since 2013, while generating required effluent quality in line with regulations.

Water reused – over 350,000 cubic meters in total

Energy consumption – 0.14kWh/m³

Maintenance frequency – 2 working days per month in total

The Kibbutz approached Triple-T in 2009, seeking a solution for upgrading the wastewater treatment plant. Triple-T was keen to take on the challenge and provided an innovative solution based on the TAYA proprietary technology. Then, in 2014 the customer approached us once again in order to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant for 2 major purposes:

• Increasing the effluent quality to meet new regulations by the Ministry of Health (MoH)
• Increasing the volume of treated flow, to enable the Kibbutz to provide both the domestic and industrial needs of the Kibbutz, and to treat the wastewater of nearby villages

Triple-T was engaged to design, construct and support the operation of the upgraded wastewater facility, which included a 6mm screen, anaerobic treatment in an earth basin and an aerobic – anoxic treatment based on TAYA’s technology. The new design maximized the existing infrastructure, by converting a lagoon to an anaerobic pond, alongside a newly constructed basin, minimizing CAPEX. The existing TAYA unit, already in operation, was upgraded by adding perforated pipes below the gravel, increasing the media volume within the basin. The wastewater capacity can be expanded upon demand, taking on additional flow from nearby villages, as required.

The upgrade was a great success. The new TAYA system began to produce consistent effluent quality, in accordance with the strict environmental standards for Israeli wastewater reuse, saving 80% of energy consumption in comparison with activated sludge, and leading to an 80% reduction in sludge treatment costs.

But the key benefit for Lahav is the minimal labor required for treatment. A local operator is required only once a week! This is due to the minimal electro-mechanical equipment needed and the extremely low sludge handling requirements.

We empowered the Lahav Kibbutz with the ability to maximize their water resource production, while minimizing pollution and costs – demonstrating an eco-responsible approach.