The construction and engineering industries play a crucial role in the continued social and economic development of our world. Any serious project (whether public or private) is now subject to requirements to minimize impacts on people and the environment. A contractor’s environmental impact assessments (EIA) and environmental management plans (EMP) set the minimum levels for efficient use of resources, the protection of biodiversity, climate change and, not least the risk of accidents and the protection of our health in general.

An important part of a construction project’s EIA is water management, especially in civil engineering. Water plays a key role whether it is used in excavation and foundations, to cool machines, keep pressure, move solids (for example tunnel boring machines, drilling rigs and cutting machines) or as a means of cleaning. Rainwater and effluent seepage also need to be managed. Companies that can optimize consumption and ensure water meets the national and local regulations regarding cleanliness will always be at an advantage.

Alfa Laval’s range of centrifuge decanters are built to meet the high environmental demands for solid-liquid separation in tunnelling construction and similar applications. The proven separation technology removes the finest particles (unlike sedimentation tanks) making it easier to meet requirements for water disposal or re-use, such as suspended solids, acidity (pH), and biological and chemical oxygen demand. Low operating costs and high separation capacity help contractors to compete effectively and to meet these evermore-stringent environmental demands.