Global Water Engineering, represented in Australia by CST Wastewater Solutions has been recognised for its wastewater technology employed at an Asia-Pacific cassava plant project to reduce pollution, save power and enhance profitability simultaneously.  

CEO Mr Jean Pierre Ombregt received Highly Commended recognition at this year’s Global Water Awards in Berlin for the wastewater treatment installation designed to attain top environmental standards of wastewater cleanliness while generating green power and carbon credit profits. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan presided at the event.  

The Awards were established in 2005 to recognise outstanding achievements in the International Water Industry.    

GWE partnered with Chokyuenyong Industrial in Thailand to cut effluent COD pollution levels by more than 95% at its cassava production plant while extracting gas from wastewater to power boilers and generate electricity.  

Processing 1200 tons of cassava roots a day, Chokyuenyong Industrial employs GWE anaerobic technology supplied by local GWE agent Retech Energy with a capacity of 3,200m³ effluent a day.  

Highlights of the Chokyuenyong installation: 

  • Cut COD pollution level of influent wastewater from 22,500 ml/l to less than 1125 mg/l, resulting in cleaner discharges to treatment ponds and the environment 
  • Returns up to 2.7 Mw of electricity a year to a provincial power grid, PEA 
  • Saves the equivalent of up to 21,000 litres a day of fuel oil by producing up to 34,000 Nm³ of biogas 
  • Biogas is used to power the boilers and heating equipment used extensively in cassava drying and processing as well as generate electricity for the rotating equipment used in processing 
  • Generates carbon credits under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
GWE has installed more than 300 water and wastewater treatment systems across Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia, China, Europe (including Eastern Europe) and Russia. 

GWE has successfully built and commissioned more than 75 biogas utilisation systems for clients worldwide, including most recently in Australasia at the new Bluetongue Brewery in NSW. The biogas and wastewater technology has wide applicability throughout Australasia.