Bank filtration brings light into the soil

In the interdisciplinary research programme NASRI (Natural and Artificial Systems for Recharge and Infiltration), the Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin investigated the processes that take place during bank filtration in order to improve the quality of raw water and drinking water.

Within the framework of this programme, experts investigated the behaviour of pathogen bacteria and viruses and of organic trace elements and algae toxins during bank filtration and artificial groundwater enrichment between 2002 and 2006. The surface water which is infiltrated into the soil is significantly improved in its condition en route to the wells. The essential processes here, such as biological degradation under aerobic or anoxic conditions as well as filtration and adsorption, were identified and the understanding of the process as a whole was expanded.

With the results of NASRI, the raw water quality – and therefore also the quality of the drinking water – can be assured in the long term in accordance with the supply principle. The results are of great importance to us, since more than two-thirds of the groundwater pumped for the drinking water supply in Berlin is extracted using bank filtration and artificially enriched groundwater. This largest research project to date conducted by us together with the Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin gGmbH was financed with 3 million Euros by us and Veolia Water.