Transforming natural sea water in water suitable for human use is achieved via different processes which are carried out at desalination plants.
Canal Gestión Lanzarote has four reverse osmosis desalination plants which annually produce 25, 5 hm³, spread out in two production centres.
Central de Desalación Díaz Rijo, en Punta de Los vientos Ctra. Arrecife-Puerto Los Mármoles km 3,5, Arrecife C.P. 35500.
Centro de Desalación Sur.
Ctra. Yaiza-Playa Blanca s/n, Yaiza
C.P. 35580
It consists in propelling sea water to the physical pre-treatment. The sea water collection of is closed off with coastal wells and as a result of this, the temperature suffers few deviations; also, thanks to the actual terrain, the water has low turbidity.
It serves to guarantee optimal conditions of sea water which feeds the mainframe of the reverse osmosis. It consists in eliminating or reducing to the maximum possible the risk of obstruction of the membranes as a result of the accumulation of substances, materials and microorganisms on the surface. This type of obstruction reduces the life and efficiency of the membranes.
The mainframes are in charge of transforming salt water in to fresh water. This is the most important step of the entire process, in which a pressure pump enables the salt water to run through towards a pipe with seven inner membranes which retain the salt in a support, allowing only the exit of the water molecules. At the end of this process there are two resulting fluids: salt free water and the brine.
The water, once it has been desalinated, is diverted to the re-mineralizing system where it is incorporated with lime and carbon dioxide, which transforms it in water suitable for human consumption. Chlorination is also a part of this post-treatment phase.
