Chapter 277 Water Purification And Treatment Plants



In the capital, Bideford, the said king is sitting at the head of a long oak table at Bideford Research Center. Arrayed around him were a group of esteemed scholars, their faces plastered with tense expressions.

They were the kingdom's most brilliant minds in engineering, tasked with the monumental challenge of designing a comprehensive water supply and treatment system for their expanding population. After so long, he finally had his focus on this part.

Bideford had experienced significant growth in recent years, with an influx of people seeking a better life within its borders. And this trend accelerates even more after the war broke out.

However, the rapid increase in population had put a strain on the existing water sources, leading to contamination and pollution of the once-pristine Grivy River that flowed through the heart of the capital. 

"Your Majesty, we have located suitable water sources to establish a sustainable water supply," said Eleanor, the project manager who lead her fellow scholars and engineers working on this project. "We explored the surrounding terrain and identified potential sites for digging wells. These wells, combined with our existing river network, will provide us with ample water resources."

Riz nodded as his gaze fall on the maps, blueprints, and sketches covering the table.

Each of them represents a potential solution the scholars came up with debated considering factors such as the merits of various techniques and technologies, cost and feasibility.

Truth be told, he kinda hates water and wastewater subjects as there is a seemingly endless array of complicated formulas and equations for every little aspect.

From the process of purification, the tank and impeller geometries for mixing, to the intricate calculations involved in hydraulic design and flow rate analysis. The sheer volume of technical jargon he needed to learn and remember only added to his frustration.

The thought of spending countless hours grappling with equations and data sent shivers down his spine. There is no way he's going through that ever again.

As such, he basically left this project in the hand of these people.

To briefly explain, the water purification process involved several steps starting with coagulation where a coagulant, such as alum or iron salts, is added to the water.

The purpose was to destabilize the suspended particles, causing them to come together and form larger clumps. 

After coagulation, comes flocculation. During this stage, the water was gently stirred to encourage the formation of larger and denser particles called flocs. These flocs acted as magnets, attracting and aggregating the remaining suspended impurities in the water. 

The water then entered large tanks, allowing it to settle. Gravity played a crucial role in this phase as the larger and heavier flocs gradually sank to the bottom, forming a layer of sediment. This sediment was then carefully removed, separating it from the clarified water.

Once sedimentation was complete, the water was through various filters, which typically consisted of layers of sand, gravel, and activated carbon.

These filters acted as physical barriers, effectively capturing and removing any remaining suspended particles, as well as certain dissolved contaminants.

Finally, disinfection is the last phase of the water treatment process. Disinfection was essential to eliminate any remaining harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Chlorination, the most commonly used method, involved carefully adding a precise amount of chlorine to the water. 

Overall, it is a tedious process that involved a lot of consideration and he has no intention to do it on his own. And so, leaving the entirety of this project in the hand of these people is a wise choice.

After days of tireless work, the scholars combined their expertise in engineering, and hydrology was here, to present their constructed plan.

"So, why don't you tell me what plan have you guys come up with?" Riz instructed.

She then turned her attention to the location of the city's water purification centre. "Your Majesty, we propose building the main water purification centre on the northern outskirts of Bideford, near the banks of the river. This location offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides easy access to the river, which will serve as the primary water source. Secondly, the proximity to the city will minimize the distance for distribution, ensuring efficient supply to the population."

Her assistant, Evans chimed in, adding, "We also recommend constructing a network of smaller satellite treatment plants strategically placed throughout the city. These plants will help decentralize the purification process, reducing the load on the main centre and improving the overall efficiency of the system."

Riz nodded, impressed by their meticulous planning. "And what about the water treatment system? Are you planning to dump the waste into the river without any measures?"

Eleanor stepped forward, addressing King Riz's concern, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We have given careful consideration to the wastewater treatment system as well. It is crucial to ensure that the treated water is discharged back into the river without posing a risk to the ecosystem."

She began by explaining the treatment process.I think you should take a look at pandasnovel.com

Basically, the wastewater first enters a bar screen, which acts as a physical barrier to remove large objects and solid materials. Next, the wastewater flows into a grit chamber, allowing heavier inorganic materials like sand, gravel, and small stones to settle at the bottom. 

ƥandasnovel.com Following the grit chamber, the wastewater enters a settling tank, also known as a sedimentation tank. Here, the flow velocity is further reduced, allowing suspended solids to settle by gravity.

Heavier particles settle at the bottom to form sludge, while relatively cleaner water is collected from the surface or middle of the tank. 

The partially treated wastewater enters an aeration tank, where oxygen is supplied to support the growth of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms break down and consume organic matter, further reducing its concentration in the water.

The wastewater then proceeds to another settling tank, where any remaining suspended solids and microorganisms settle as sludge.

For the complete removal of harmful pathogens, the wastewater undergoes disinfection.

In a chlorine disinfection tank, a carefully measured amount of chlorine is added to the water to destroy any remaining bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms before being discharged back into the river.

"As you can see from the plan, we have identified an ideal site for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant. It is located on the eastern side of the city, closer to the river's edge and far from the residential area and port. By locating the plant downstream, we can take advantage of gravity to facilitate the flow of wastewater through the treatment stages." said Eleanor. 

Riz carefully flipped through the pages of the plan, his eyes scanning the details and annotations.

As he examined the plan, he could see the rationale behind its selection.

After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, satisfied with the proposed site and the overall plan. "Very well," he said, addressing the group of scholars. "You have presented a well-thought-out proposal. Proceed with the construction of the wastewater treatment plant at the designated site."

Eleanor, the lead scholar, bowed respectfully and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty. We assure you that we will execute the construction of the wastewater treatment plant diligently and ensure its successful implementation."

"I can't wait to see the result," Riz responded before promptly leaving the Bideford Research Center for his office. 

....

As Riz arrived at his office, he found his butler, Edward, waiting for him in front of the office.

Riz raised an eyebrow at Edward's unexpected presence. "What are you doing here, Edward?" he inquired, slightly intrigued by the butler's appearance.

Edward, maintaining his composed demeanour, replied, "Your Majesty, there's a letter that has arrived at the mansion, addressed specifically to you. Considering it is from the commander of our army, I deemed it necessary to bring it to you immediately."

"Is that so?" Riz asked, raising his eyebrows. "Well, let's get into the office first."

Curiosity piqued, Riz extended his hand to receive the letter from Edward. With a swift motion, he broke the seal and unfolded the paper, scanning its contents with a focused expression.

Shortly thereafter, curiosity turned to delight as Riz read the contents of the letter, a smile gradually forming on his face.

The news seemed to bring a glimmer of excitement to his eyes.

Edward, though curious about the contents of the letter, maintained his respectful silence, not daring to intrude on the king's thoughts.

He cleared his throat, drawing Riz's attention, "Is there anything I can do, Your Majesty?"

Riz looked up from the letter, his smile still lingering. "Yes, Edward. Please go and summon our Minister of War and Defense, William for me immediately. I need to discuss this matter with him."

Edward nodded, recognizing the urgency in Riz's voice. "Right away, Your Majesty. I will bring him to you promptly."

As he leaves the room, the butler couldn't help but make his own assumption. The army must have made some sort of achievement on the battlefield. Perhaps this war will finally come to an end.