Transforming water reuse: How Unity4Water and PBS Generation are setting new standards with ozone technology

A primary obstacle in water conservation is maintaining microbiological safety standards. High levels of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in reject water typically prevent reuse, calling for advanced decontamination methods. PBS Generation’s innovative technology directly addresses this by achieving what could be called near-complete decontamination, a prerequisite for water reusability.

– Our technology is designed to neutralize microbial content to levels compliant with quality standards required for safe reuse, explains Frédéric Pouyet, ozone specialist & technical sales at PBS Generation.

When water stagnates in storage tanks, microbial growth can return, especially in systems with organic material present. PBS Generation tackles this issue through continuous low-level treatments that inhibit microbial regrowth.

– It’s the same phenomenon you see when rainwater turns green after sitting for days—bacteria and fungi thrive in untreated conditions. But with our system, microbial life is minimized in these water loops, notes Frédéric Pouyet, and continues:

– The only residual element in the treated water is oxygen, presenting a safer, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional disinfection methods.

The power of ozone

A cornerstone of PBS’s approach is their advanced ozone generation technology. For over a century, ozone has been valued for its effectiveness in disinfecting drinking water and industrial applications. Ozone’s versatility in targeting chemical compounds, microorganisms, odors, and colors makes it a strong choice for water treatment. While traditional ozone generation systems require high-quality air and extensive pre-treatments, PBS has re-engineered this process to be simpler and more robust.

– Our generator is unique—it requires no pretreatment of air, handles condensation, and is resistant to external process contamination. This breakthrough allows for efficient ozone production even in demanding environments,says Frédéric Pouyet.

This design, coupled with their proprietary washable cell, minimizes the cost, space, and maintenance typically associated with ozone systems, making it highly adaptable to industrial contexts in Unity4Water.

Collaborative innovation across sectors

The strength of Unity4Water lies in its collaborative framework, combining expertise from academia, industry, and environmental research to pioneer sustainable water solutions.

– In Unity4Water, we benefit from knowing exactly where ozone can be applied and where it cannot, thanks to insights shared by our industry partners. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle—different players contribute their pieces to build a coherent picture of water reuse, says Frédéric Pouyet.

The smart reuse of water

Unity4Water’s mission is to integrate water reuse across industries, creating interconnected systems that extend water’s lifecycle. PBS’s ozone technology plays a role in this by enabling new water flows between various industry actors. This partnership not only enhances industry water reuse capabilities but also sets a precedent for environmentally responsible practices in industrial water management.

– Unity4Water is advancing the smart reuse of water, and we’re thrilled to contribute to this shift, says Frédéric Pouyet.