Salher activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis solutions: key technologies for PFAS removal in municipal and industrial drinking water systems

Activated carbon filtration systems are among the most widely used technologies for removing persistent organic compounds from drinking water. Their adsorption capacity helps reduce the concentration of certain PFAS present in water.

Salher’s activated carbon solutions stand out for:

1. High efficiency in the removal of organic contaminants
2. Modular design adaptable to new or existing installations
3. Easy integration into drinking water treatment processes
4. Optimized operational and maintenance costs

This type of treatment is particularly effective as a polishing or advanced treatment stage in municipal and industrial systems.

Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective technologies for removing dissolved substances that are difficult to treat, including PFAS.

Salher’s reverse osmosis systems achieve high water quality standards for drinking water applications, industrial processes, and reuse, offering:

• High rejection rates of emerging contaminants

• Optimised energy efficiency

• Advanced automation and process control

• Adaptation to different water qualities and flow requirements

How to Maximize the Use of Every Cubic Meter of Water

Although the report warns that we are entering a post-water-crisis phase in which some systems may never fully recover, it also highlights the urgent need to reduce impacts, protect existing water resources, and optimize the use of available water.

Salher’s urban and industrial wastewater treatment systems, hydrocarbon separators, and pretreatment solutions help prevent the degradation of water bodies, protecting both ecosystems and critical infrastructure.

At the same time, water reuse systems make it possible to recover treated water for new applications, reducing pressure on natural sources and supporting a circular water economy. Ozone generation technology enables effective disinfection by reducing pathogens and organic compounds without relying on aggressive chemical products, improving the quality of treated water.

The development of tailor-made solutions for industrial wastewater allows pollutant loads (COD, BOD, solids, metals, fats, and oils) to be reduced, facilitating internal water reuse and improving overall process efficiency.

In addition, Salher’s compact plant designs enable scalable and adaptable solutions for municipalities, industries, hotels, and remote facilities, strengthening local water resilience and supporting more sustainable water management worldwide.

Experience shows that there is no single solution, but rather a combination of technologies tailored to each point of wastewater generation. With this integrated approach, Salher’s solutions cover the entire cycle, from pretreatment to treatment and reuse.

Kitchens and food preparation areas

Professional kitchens are the main source of fats and organic residues. For this reason, the installation of grease separators is essential to protect internal drainage systems and comply with discharge limits.

Salher grease separators, manufactured in GRP or stainless steel, are designed to:

• Efficiently separate oils and fats
• Retain settleable solids
• Reduce odours and facilitate maintenance.

Proper selection and sizing are key to preventing downstream failures and ensuring system stability. Among these solutions, Salher has recently launched its new MORSA grease separators, manufactured in GRP and designed for the direct recovery of fats from wastewater.

Effective pretreatment for washing and service areas

In dishwashing areas, tray washing and utensil cleaning zones, large volumes of water carry solid particles of different sizes. Screening and pretreatment systems remove these solids before they reach subsequent stages, where they could damage electromechanical equipment.

To reduce breakdowns and extend equipment lifespan, Salher offers screens, filters and compact screening units, such as TAURUS, TAHEL and PPC plants, especially suited for central kitchens, catering services, high-occupancy hotels and installations with space constraints.

On-site wastewater treatment in hotels, resorts and central kitchens

In larger facilities or locations without access to adequate municipal wastewater treatment networks, on-site treatment becomes a practical and cost-effective solution. Salher’s compact wastewater treatment plants, based on physico-chemical and biological technologies, have been supplied to:

• numerous kitchens in gastronomic markets, such as San Antón Market in central Madrid,
• seatering and ready-meal services, including La Vienesa and Stock and Superseis supermarkets in Paraguay,
• multiple hotels, resorts, service areas, leisure centres and remote catering facilities.

Innovation and new product launches

Throughout the year, Salher has implemented technical and functional improvements across a large part of its product catalogue, optimising performance, energy efficiency and ease of operation in its water treatment solutions.

One of the most significant developments has been the optimisation of ultrafiltration systems, which now evolve under the MAYA brand, representing the new generation of Salher ultrafiltration systems. This advancement comes in a global context marked by water scarcity and the growing need for safe water reuse.

This technological evolution is complemented by TAURUS, Salher’s rotary drum screen, featuring components manufactured in AISI 316 stainless steel. It is designed for demanding applications and is recognised for offering one of the best quality-to-price ratios on the market.

In the pretreatment segment, Salher has also developed the new MORSA grease separator, a lighter and more practical solution designed to optimise processes and reduce installation costs.

Record sales in dissolved air flotation

2025 has also been an exceptional year for dissolved air flotation (DAF) technologies. The VESPA and XCORPIO flotation units have achieved record sales in Europe, consolidating their position as reference solutions for treating water with high pollutant loads, particularly in demanding industrial sectors.

Water solutions worldwide: international expansion and stronger global presence

International expansion remains one of Salher’s key strategic pillars. In 2025, the company reached new regions worldwide with the opening of Krolem, its commercial offices in Dubai, new offices in the centre of Warsaw, Poland, the establishment of new commercial partnerships in Chile and Mexico, and a strengthened presence in key markets through international trade fairs.

Salher has actively participated in professional events in Algeria, Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, China, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Paraguay, reinforcing its international influence in the field of wastewater treatment and strengthening relationships with partners, clients and engineering firms worldwide.

In addition, Salher continues to offer a comprehensive turnkey service, covering everything from engineering and design to manufacturing, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of water treatment plants anywhere in the world.

Throughout the year, numerous international projects have been successfully delivered in sectors such as the agri-food industry, chemical industry, municipal sector and tourism, reinforcing the trust of clients seeking reliable, customised and long-term water treatment solutions.

Among the most notable projects of recent months is a hydrocarbon separation system for an airport in northern Australia and, in response to the extreme drought affecting southern Europe, a project in Bulgaria for an agricultural industry. This wastewater treatment solution includes an arsenic removal system to enable water reuse for irrigation.

Integrated services and digitalisation in global water treatment

Salher’s growth goes hand in hand with the digitalisation of its systems. In this regard, the implementation and development of AquaBrain, Salher’s remote supervision and monitoring system, stands out. AquaBrain enables optimised plant operation, proactive issue detection and improved efficiency in water management.

Salher solutions for all types of water, uses and needs

Compared to traditional methods such as chlorination, UV treatment offers a cleaner, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly option. It eliminates the need to handle chemicals, store disinfectants, or manage toxic waste.

One example is Salher’s GRISAL-AUT unit, a compact greywater and treated wastewater reuse plant designed for non-potable applications. The system integrates a UV lamp to ensure safer and more reliable disinfection.

In addition, Salher’s UV disinfection system is specifically engineered to eliminate bacteria and viruses present in water. Its UV-C lamp (λ ≈ 254 nm) acts at the molecular level on the DNA/RNA of microorganisms, preventing them from reproducing and ensuring microbiological safety.

This type of solution provides optimal water quality for residential buildings, hotels, communities, and facilities seeking to reuse greywater for toilet flushing or irrigation. It is also ideal for projects aiming to reduce potable water consumption, decrease operating costs, minimize environmental impact, or avoid chemicals to maintain a more natural and safe water quality.

With a strong track record in water treatment solutions, Salher combines high-quality engineering, proven technology, and environmental commitment. The GRISAL-AUT and SAL-UV product ranges represent the company’s dedication to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient reused water, through practical, turnkey solutions tailored to any need.

What is process water?

Depending on its quality, water plays a key role in multiple stages of industrial production: cleaning, rinsing, CIP systems, cooling towers and boilers, raw material dissolution, product transport, or steam generation. All these flows are known as process waters.

Once used, their composition varies depending on the type of industry and process, but they typically contain residues of raw materials, oils, detergents, or dissolved salts. For this reason, they require appropriate treatment before discharge or reuse.

Process water is essential for production continuity, product quality, and industrial sustainability. Regulatory progress in Europe and the growing pressure to reduce consumption and discharges have accelerated the adoption of efficient technologies, internal reuse strategies, and circular economy models.

The EU Regulation 2020/741 on minimum requirements for water reuse strengthens the framework for producing safe, traceable reclaimed water, promoting quality standards and risk management plans.

To assess the suitability of these treatments, Salher considers:

1. Specific water consumption of the facility
2. Internal reuse rate and discharge reduction
3. Energy consumption of the system compared to total factory use
4. Carbon footprint
5. Compliance with current environmental regulations

Salher designs tailor-made solutions for the treatment and production of process water, combining different purification technologies according to each project’s needs. From physico-chemical treatments to advanced biological systems, filtration, and disinfection, our plants are designed to ensure optimal, stable, and safe water quality.

In the initial phase, pretreatment systems like TAURUS homogenize flows and remove coarse contaminants. Then, coagulation-flocculation and dissolved air flotation (DAF) systems, such as Vespa or Xcorpio, remove suspended solids, oils, and turbidity.

After removing the most visible solids and oils, many industrial facilities incorporate biological processes to eliminate organic matter, nitrogen, or phosphorus. MBBR reactors (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors) are particularly effective in handling variable loads.

When an exceptionally high effluent quality is required, MBR systems (Membrane Bioreactors) combine biological treatment with integrated membrane filtration. These biological technologies stabilize processes, reduce odors and emissions, and prepare water for reuse or polishing stages.

To achieve higher quality levels and promote circular economy principles, ultrafiltration membranes such as MAYA or nanofiltration systems are applied for fine clarification, color reduction, and dissolved organic matter removal.

For zero liquid discharge (ZLD) applications, reverse osmosis (RO) acts as a barrier against salts, inorganic matter, ions, and pathogens. Additionally, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), such as ozone and UV treatment, eliminate microcontaminants, odors, and persistent color.

On the other hand, digital transformation plays an increasingly important role in process water treatment. Salher’s R&D strategy focuses on integrating remote monitoring technologies into modular, client-adapted solutions.

Which industries benefit from process water treatment?

A wide range of sectors benefit from Salher’s industrial water treatment systems: food and beverage industries (e.g., dairy, canning, soft drinks), chemical and pharmaceutical plants, textile industries, metallurgical and energy generation industries. Each sector presents specific process water challenges. Salher’s tailored approach ensures maximum operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

One recent success story involves a food processing factory in northern Greece, where Salher implemented an intensive filtration system to produce high-quality process water for a pickling plant — with outstanding results.

Installing an in-house process water treatment plant reduces dependence on external supplies and enhances the facility’s autonomy and sustainability. Once treated, process water can be reused in several ways:

• cooling systems,
• factory cleaning,
• irrigation of green areas,
• partial recirculation to reduce freshwater demand.

This allows companies not only to meet strict discharge limits but also to save on water consumption, management costs, and energy use, moving toward a more sustainable and competitive production model. Ultimately, Salher process water treatment solutions transform waste into an opportunity for efficiency and profitability.

Recent success stories with Salher ultrafiltration systems

The effectiveness of Salher’s ultrafiltration technology has been demonstrated in multiple international projects. For the new facilities of a government building in Angola, Salher supplied a rainwater treatment system and a compact ultrafiltration plant to produce high-quality water for irrigation of green areas.

In addition, for the new luxury resort in Jamaica by the Mexican group UNICO, a water reuse system based on ultrafiltration was installed, contributing to sustainability in a region under significant water stress.

Planning, investment and responsibility: the case of Ibiza

During the most recent prolonged drought, critical moments were experienced across Spain: restrictions were put in place, public awareness campaigns were launched, and many local governments rediscovered the importance of diversifying water supply sources. Now, with water reserves at optimal levels, we cannot wait for the next drought to act: this is the perfect time to implement new infrastructure and modernise existing systems for both urban and industrial water treatment, prioritising savings and energy efficiency.

Moreover, drought does not impact all regions equally. The current situation in Ibiza illustrates the vulnerability of certain territories to water scarcity. Despite ambitions to move towards a more sustainable island, inadequate infrastructure, the lack of effective measures to prevent water waste—especially in large villas with gardens and pools in heavily touristic areas—and urban planning regulations that allow new construction in rural areas, paint a complicated picture.

Even with the contribution of desalinated water infiltrated into the island’s freshwater aquifers, the supply remains insufficient. At Salher, we believe that producing more water through desalination alone is not enough: a broader strategy is essential—one that includes reuse, infrastructure optimisation, and digitalised water management to anticipate crises and ensure long-term water security.

Rain is not enough: water reuse solutions

As mentioned earlier, recent rains have significantly improved water reserves in Spain, with reservoirs reaching over 70% of their capacity, leading to the lifting of many water restrictions in regions such as Catalonia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. However, this improvement is not enough.

The prolonged drought that affected towns like Buenasbodas, in Toledo, highlights the need to invest in drinking water and water reuse infrastructures. The installation of this DWTP by Salher is just one example of how customized solutions can ensure a safe and sustainable water supply, even in times of abundance. Strengthening water resilience is essential to tackle future climate challenges.

Treating Water Containing Hydrocarbons

Salher offers over 18 models of hydrocarbon separators—with CE certification under European standard EN‑858—capable of treating polluted rainwater, as well as wash and de‐icing water. These last categories, however, require additional advanced technologies like membranes, filters, and oxidation systems.

In airport environments, handling rainwater is vital due to large runoff areas—runways, taxiways, and parking zones. Salher provides a standard range of regulation valves and also designs custom systems tailored for stormwater retention ponds or on-site treatment of oily or hydrocarbon‐laden water.

Can airport wastewater be reused?

Among all the wastewater generated at airports, the most readily reusable types are sanitary wastewater and effluents from restaurants and shops. Opting for this option—even if it initially increases the budget for installing the airport’s water treatment plant—enables savings in water resources by reducing dependence on potable water supplies, and offers long‑term cost benefits, since treated wastewater can be reused for irrigation, cleaning, or even technical processes such as cooling in HVAC systems.

Additionally, investing in a treatment facility that includes reuse systems prevents the release of contaminated water into the environment, thereby helping to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

An airport that reuses its water demonstrates sustainability leadership and adds value to local communities, especially in developing countries, where water is a critical resource. Companies like Salher, with experience in this field, have the capacity to design customized and efficient solutions tailored to local needs.

Salher has offered its expertise and advanced technology to design tailored solutions for the specific needs of this international airport, thus contributing to sustainable development and environmental protection in regions facing significant water challenges. In Spain as well, Salher has taken part in the renovation of water treatment systems at several airports, installing its ultrafiltration reuse technology in the terminals at Dénia (Alicante) and Ibiza.

To ensure success in the installation and operation of a water treatment plant, it is essential to contract directly with the companies responsible for the design and development of these solutions. This offers key advantages. On one hand, having detailed knowledge of each system component allows for precise installation and optimal configuration, tailored to the specific conditions of the airport.

 

On the other hand, avoiding intermediaries prevents communication issues that can lead to technical errors or misunderstandings, speeding up commissioning and ensuring optimal operation from the start. Furthermore, in such complex systems, commissioning without deep knowledge can result in delays and costly subsequent adjustments.

 

Finally, the companies that design the solutions also provide specialized support, maintenance services, and technological updates, ensuring that the system operates efficiently throughout its lifespan.

Efficient and sustainable water management is a priority for airports seeking to reduce their environmental impact and operate responsibly. Installing dedicated water treatment plants is not only a key step toward sustainability but also an economically smart decision. By contracting directly with the developers of the water treatment solutions, airports guarantee a streamlined, safe, and efficient process that enables them to successfully meet their environmental and operational goals.