Riverbank filtration in Vietnam

BMBF project AquaViet

Science-based master plan for bank filtration water supply in Vietnam

Assessment of water quality and research into behaviour and fade of Micropollutants via river bank filtration (RBF) in Vietnam.

Project leader: Dr. H. Börnick

Project team: M. Sc. Lale Carstensen, M. Sc. Stephan Eberle

Funding organisation: BMBF (FKZ: 02WCL1472B)

Duration: 02.2019- 12.2022

In the context of the project background and the described state of the art, the broad R&D project goal is to develop and deliver concept documents and model designs to achieve a safe & sustainable drinking water supply centred on the following R&D aims:

• Development and application of an integrated concept for a feasibility assessment for RBF in Vietnam with special focus on riverbed clogging and redox conditions in the aquifer followed by a conceptual study for the deployment of RBF in Vietnam as a basis for the ADB to follow-up with specialized studies for investments in the country,
• Water quality assessment and risk assessment of contamination of bank filtrate, river water quality screening for RBF-relevant micro-pollutants using innovative sampling and enrichment concepts, development of treatment concepts for bank filtrate,
• Testing and adaptation of methods to determine the fraction of bank filtrate in pumped water including the application of alternative spectroscopic online-techniques (fingerprints), geo-hydraulic modelling, the analysis of tracer compounds and isotopes,
• Feasibility study of subsurface removal of iron, manganese, arsenic and ammonium,
• Conception, design and testing of a low cost modular sand/ iron hydroxide / MnO₂ based filter systems (filter cascade) considering the specific regional boundary conditions,
• Systematic experimental testing, assessment and recommendations for use of various innovative, real time, and highly-automated water quality monitoring in combination with new disinfection technologies under field conditions,
• Innovative modification of RBF in combination with relief wells for dyke protection during flood events,
• Conceptual study for the deployment of RBF in Vietnam as a basis for the ADB to follow-up with specialized studies for investments in the country,
• Science based documentation of the innovative RBF elements of solution tested in the R&D project to prepare the enablement of the RBF market through an adaptation/ enhancement of the relevant regulatory framework.