Local water and wastewater engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, WEC Water, has successfully completed a contract for the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of a 2 Ml /day lamella clarifier for a water treatment plant in Eswatini.

The contract forms part of an upgrade project for the existing water treatment plant which aims to improve water access and quality to the surrounding communities. The clarifier not only enables the plant to increase its throughput but also produces a better quality of treated water.

The lamella clarifier, complete with an integrated flocculation zone, was installed upstream of the plant’s existing sand filters, greatly improving water access and quality for the surrounding communities. It clarifies up to 2 M/day of raw river water before being fed to the existing sand filters for further reduction in total suspended solids. The coagulant is dosed upfront to enhance the settling characteristics of the suspended particles. This clarifier is desludged daily, based on a timer, by opening the automated desludge valve for a suitable duration

The lamella packing installed inside the clarifier increases the available surface area, requiring a smaller footprint compared to conventional clarifiers. The smaller footprint makes it easier to integrate into existing plants. The inclined plate design of the clarifier prevents sludge buildup. Due to its simple operational requirements, there is minimal operator intervention, reducing costs and boosting reliability.

Ashly Forster, project manager at WEC Water, says, “A team of 20 worked tirelessly to meet the deadline. Factory acceptance testing and commissioning were completed a week ahead of our schedule, which is testimony to the collaboration of the execution team.” The project took a total of 14 weeks to complete from design to handover.

Forster adds, “WEC Water has worked with this client on several water and wastewater treatment projects across Eswatini. The strong partnership has fostered trust from the Kingdom’s water authority in our ability to deliver tailored, high-quality solutions for every application.”