Vertex Water Treatment is the exclusive agent for the water desalination equipment and technology designed and manufactured in China by Zhonghe Seawater Desalination Engineering Co Ltd. Vertex specialises in Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) desalination plants, with a particular emphasis on utilising waste heat to power the plants.
Technology provider Zhonghe is the product of cooperation between three large Chinese state-owned (government) enterprises, with years of experience in the research, engineering, production, installation and operation of desalination and power generation equipment for the worldwide market.
Desalination plant and equipment is manufactured by Zhonghe for the world market, utilising unique MED processes to produce water for drinking, boiler feed, processing facilities, irrigation and other custom requirements. Plant and equipment is generally supplied turn-key with comprehensive local engineering, spare parts, warranty and service support directly from the team at Vertex.
MED plants supplied by Vertex Water Treatment are amongst the most economical in the world in terms of both capital expenditure and water production costs. Zhonghe’s proven background in large-scale renewable energy projects throughout Europe and Asia also provides for the efficient integration of solar and wind power facilities, as well as high-efficiency co-generation plants, with MED desalination plants.
Quality is fundamental to Vertex Water Treatment and Zhonghe, and begins with a well defined and established quality assurance policy which is implemented throughout the design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, training, servicing and maintenance processes.
Vertex Water Treatment works closely with customers to develop the most cost effective water treatment solution that best suits their requirements and also provides post-sales and preventative maintenance, support and training services with the backing of Zhonghe, in order to guarantee the performance and reliability of its operating plants.
The Global Water Situation
Fresh water is essential to our existence - it allows us to produce food, manufacture goods and sustain our health. It is also an essential part of the natural environment which supports all human, plant and animal life.
Global water consumption has risen almost tenfold since 1900, and many parts of the world, including many parts of Australia, are now reaching the limits of their supply. World population is expected to increase by 45% in the next thirty years, whilst freshwater runoff is expected to increase by 10%. UNESCO has predicted that by 2020 water shortage will be a serious worldwide problem.
One third of the world's population is already facing problems due to both water shortage and poor drinking water quality. Effects include massive outbreaks of disease, malnourishment and crop failure. In addition, excessive use of water has seen the degradation of the environment costing the world billions of dollars
Australia's Situation
Australia is the driest populated continent on earth, (Antarctica is drier, but does not support the population of Australia), but we are the greatest consumers of water per person.
The average annual rainfall in Australia is 469 mm/yr, well below the global average of 746mm/yr. 70% of our continent is classified as desert or semi-desert, with little or no precipitation.
On average, each Australian consumes around 100,000 litres of fresh water per year. When you factor in the water used to produce the food we eat and the products that we use in everyday life, we are each responsible for using about 1 million litres of water per year, or a total of about 24,000 GigaLitres.
That's enough to fill Sydney Harbour 48 times over! About 70% is attributed to agricultural irrigation, 9% to other rural uses, 9% to industrial uses and 12% to domestic use.