Water Reuse at ZENON World Headquarters

Applying over 20 years of experience in providing water and wastewater technology to the land development sector, ZENON designed a showcase for our own technology by constructing on-site water and wastewater infrastructure at our world headquarters. The result is a modern, environmentally-responsible and cost-effective business park, set on 150 acres of undeveloped land.

Potable water is drawn from an underground aquifer and treated with a ZeeWeed ultrafiltration membrane system prior to distribution. Wastewater from the office and assembly plant is treated by the reliable Cycle-LetŪ bioreactor wastewater treatment and recycle system.

The Cycle-LetŪ system treats approximately 25,000 gallons per day of sanitary wastewater from the facility. The compact, odor-free treatment system is housed in a corner of the indoor assembly plant and requires minimal operator attention. It produces an extremely high quality effluent capable of surpassing the toughest environmental regulations.

The high quality effluent produced by Cycle-LetŪ is either recycled within the office complex as flush water for urinals and toilets, used for landscape irrigation or fed to the decorative ponds on the property, which also serve as a fire water reservoir. Reusing treated wastewater reduces the amount of fresh water drawn from the aquifer by up to 85%.

ZENON World Headquarters and Assembly Plant

Across North America, strict environmental regulations or the inability to access a municipal sewer grid have created major obstacles to the commercial development of land, severely restricting the level of development possible or even preventing it completely. Similar problems exist around the world.

In 1997, ZENON's success and growth resulted in a need to find a new, larger facility for its world headquarters and assembly plant. Few suitable sites existed within the serviced areas of the local community; however, a number of very attractive sites were identified beyond the existing sewer and water perimeter.

Applying over 20 years of experience in land development water and wastewater technology, ZENON used its world-leading membrane-based systems to construct an on-site water and wastewater infrastructure. The result is a modern, environmentally-responsible and cost-effective business park, set within a beautiful 150 acre reserve.

Potable water is drawn from an underground aquifer and treated with a ZeeWeed ultrafiltration membrane system prior to distribution. Wastewater from the office and assembly plant is treated by the reliable Cycle-LetŪ Bioreactor wastewater treatment and recycle system.

The Cycle-LetŪ system treats approximately 25,000 gallons per day of sanitary wastewater from the facility. The compact, odor-free treatment system is housed in a corner of the indoor assembly plant and requires minimal operator attention. It produces an extremely high quality effluent capable of surpassing the toughest environmental standards.

The high quality effluent produced by Cycle-LetŪ is either recycled within the office complex as flush water for urinals and toilets, used for landscape irrigation or fed to the decorative ponds on the property, which also serve as a fire water reservoir. Reusing treated wastewater reduces the amount of fresh water drawn from the aquifer by up to 85%. Water reuse is especially valuable where fresh water is in scarce supply or expensive to produce.

The Cycle-LetŪ Treatment Process:

  1. Sanitary wastewater (influent) is collected in a pretreatment tank, which removes non-biodegradable debris and provides gross solids retention. The pretreatment tank also provides energy flow equalization and acts as an emergency storage reservoir.
  2. Influent from the pretreatment tank is pumped into the first chamber of the Cycle-LetŪ Bioreactor (anoxic zone) for high-level nutrient removal. Process fluid from the aerobic zone of the bioreactor is recycled back to the anoxic zone for denitrification.
  3. Wastewater flows by gravity from the anoxic zone into the aerobic digester chamber. The wastewater undergoes further carbonaceous oxidation and nitrification.
  4. ZeeWeed Immersed membranes are incorporated in the final stage of the Cycle-LetŪ system. Treated water is drawn through the surface of the membrane leaving behind solids, organics, and bacteria in the bioreactor.
  5. Membrane-filtered water is then passed through the activated carbon chamber for removal of color and odor compounds.
  6. Permeate is recirculated through a UV disinfection system to eliminate any potential bacterial re-growth. This measure is a final precaution for ensuring high quality water for reuse.
  7. Treated water is stored in a holding tank and reused throughout the building for non-potable water needs and business park irrigation. Reuse water is distributed through a separate piping system to the toilets and urinals, thus greatly reducing total water usage.