Drinking water supply requires resilient infrastructure
Between the waterworks and the point of use, drinking water often has to travel long distances and overcome differences in elevation – while meeting consistent requirements for pressure, availability and water quality. Treated drinking water can be lost through leaks along the way. In addition to the resulting water loss, leaks can, under certain conditions, also increase the risk of contamination within the pipe network.
Microbiological and chemical contaminants, biofilms, stagnation or backflow can affect water quality and require continuous monitoring of relevant operating and quality parameters. Long-distance pipelines, significant differences in elevation, ageing pump systems and pressure management that is not aligned with actual demand place additional demands on network operation.
Excessive pressure can place additional strain on pipelines and increase the risk of leakage, while insufficient pressure can affect supply within the intended operating range. This calls for systems that can be adapted to different load scenarios and changing operating conditions.
Conditions at the waterworks are becoming more demanding too
Heavy rainfall, prolonged dry periods and different types of substance inputs can affect raw water quality and change the conditions for drinking water treatment. In addition to conventional parameters, micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, pesticides or industrial chemicals may also be relevant.
Many plants have already been in operation for decades. As a result, reviewing existing technology and considering potential modernisation measures are becoming increasingly important, alongside digital monitoring and documentation of plant operation. For drinking water treatment, this means designing processes and system technology to accommodate different raw water qualities and operating conditions while taking applicable legal and technical requirements into account. Energy demand can also be considered at the design stage and monitored during ongoing operation.
Rethinking drinking water infrastructure
Whether water transport, pressure management or drinking water treatment: together, we develop solutions tailored to your requirements and existing infrastructure.
Contact our expertsOur solutions for drinking water transportation and treatment
Drinking water supply starts long before water flows from the tap. Our solutions support both the transport of water over long distances and selected process stages in drinking-water treatment.
Drinking water transportation
Pressure in focus. Reduce losses. Manage networks effectively.
Drinking water often has to travel long distances and overcome differences in elevation – from water abstraction through the waterworks to the distribution network. Coordinated pressure management plays a key role in this process. Elevated storage tanks and pump systems work together to provide the required supply pressure.
Pump systems designed to meet actual demand adapt pressure conditions to the requirements of the network. Variable-speed control and coordinated system control can help reduce pressure peaks and minimise stress on the pipeline infrastructure. This can also help reduce the risk of pressure-related leaks.
Digital solutions provide additional transparency into network operation. Depending on the measurement and system technology used, operating data such as flow rates, pressure profiles and energy consumption can be made available and integrated into existing control systems. This data helps operators adjust duty points and make informed decisions about modernisation measures.
From hydraulic design and technical planning to the modernisation of existing networks, we support projects across different phases – for both new installations and existing infrastructure.
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Drinking water treatment
Targeted support for treatment. Coordinated processes.
Numerous treatment stages work together within a waterworks. Depending on the raw water quality and treatment concept, we support these processes with coordinated pump, equipment and system technology. The range extends from mechanical pre-treatment and deacidification to precipitation and flocculation, filtration, adjustment of the calcium carbonate equilibrium and disinfection. Solutions from our Wilo Likusta, Wilo FSM and Wilo EMU Anlagenbau sub-brands can be integrated into existing treatment concepts to meet project-specific requirements.
Coordinated hydraulic processes are also essential between the individual treatment stages. We support the design of pumps and systems for intermediate pumping and filter backwashing, as well as pressure maintenance and water storage. Demand-based control allows hydraulic conditions to be adapted to different operating conditions and energy use to be aligned with actual demand. Digital interfaces and monitoring also provide transparency into relevant operating parameters and support the monitoring and documentation of system operation.
Whether for an existing waterworks or new capacity, we consider the requirements as a whole – from pump and equipment technology and process engineering systems through to integration into control systems and service concepts.
Contact us nowWater solutions in practice
Every drinking water project has its own requirements for transport and treatment. Our references show how Wilo solutions are used in a wide range of infrastructure projects around the world – from water transport and pressure management to selected processes within waterworks.
Water supply for the Xiong'an New Area
Rongdong pressure-boosting pump station
Xiong’an is one of China’s major urban development projects. The development of the Rongdong area also includes the construction of new municipal infrastructure. The approximately 2000‑square‑metre pressure-boosting pump station is located entirely underground. The reliability and energy consumption of the pump system are critical, as it forms the core component of the pressure-boosting station.
To support water supply and energy savings, the station uses a combination of a non‑negative‑pressure water supply system and a controllable storage water supply system. Wilo provides complete solutions for this, including a total of 12 Wilo‑Atmos TERA‑SCH pumps.
The pressure-boosting pumping station is designed for a supply capacity of 1370 tonnes of water per hour, for the Rongdong area.
Soft water for the region
Moos Waterworks, Germany
At Moos Waterworks, the Bayerischer Wald water supply association treats drinking water for 15 municipalities south of the Danube. A key part of the process is water softening. The treated water is then fed into the connected supply networks as what is known locally as “soft forest water”.
A total of 67 Wilo pumps are used for the various processes within the waterworks. They perform different tasks in water treatment and distribution, supporting coordinated system operation.
With a treatment capacity of up to 400 m³ per hour, the waterworks supplies around 15,000 households with softened drinking water, according to the available project data. The reference demonstrates how pump technology can be integrated into the different process stages of a waterworks.
Pressure-boosting system for outdoor installation
Town of Bräunlingen, Germany
The town of Bräunlingen in the Schwarzwald‑Baar district has developed a new residential area covering around 8 hectares. As the required minimum supply pressures for drinking water and fire‑fighting water could not be ensured by the existing elevated tank – and building a new tank will take several years – an interim solution was put in place.
The town commissioned the engineering firm Fritz Spieth from Esslingen to review the water supply for the Bregenberg residential area with its 45 dwellings. The solution implemented was a containerised unit with an integrated pressure-boosting system from Wilo.
After around six months of designing, the plant was installed on site. It is designed for reduced maintenance requirements, according to the current project plan, the interim solution is intended for 5-7 years of operation. .
Services and solutions for the entire lifecycle of your plant
Wilo supports defined project phases – from planning and design to commissioning and maintenance. The goal is a demand-based system operation.
Our offering at a glance:
- Support with planning and design (e.g., product selection, simulations, documentation)
- Commissioning and acceptance testing
- Maintenance, repair, and spare parts service
- Energy analyses
- Digital services for condition monitoring and condition-based maintenance planning
- Trainings for operation and maintenance
With standardised and individually configurable service packages, as well as digital tools, relevant operating conditions can be recorded and used to support operation and maintenance. This helps identify deviations at an early stage, reduce unplanned downtime and support predictable operation of water management systems.
Contact our expertsWater infrastructure working together
Drinking water is something we take for granted – at home, in cities, hospitals and industry. But getting it to where it is needed requires many processes to work together behind the scenes: water has to be treated, transported and distributed – under conditions that vary from region to region and can change over time.
This is where we come in as a water technology company. We support operators in adapting drinking water infrastructure to their specific requirements – with pump and system technology, digital solutions and services designed to work together across the entire system.
For us, it is about more than individual components. It is about creating the technical conditions that enable water to reach people.
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about Drinking Water Transport and Drinking Water Treatment
How can pressure fluctuations and peak demand in drinking water mains be managed?
Demand for drinking water varies considerably over the course of the day and throughout the year. Periods of extreme heat can increase consumption. Coordinated pressure management supports network operation. Speed-controlled pump systems for water supply installations adapt volume flows flexibly and can help maintain pressure within the design range during periods of elevated demand.
Why is pressure management so important in drinking water transportation?
During drinking water transportation, pressure must be carefully controlled. Excessive pressure can damage pipes and cause leaks, while insufficient pressure impairs security of water supply. A well‑designed pressure management strategy can help reduce pressure-related stress on infrastructure and support water transport over long distances and across varying elevations within the intended operating range.
How is climate change affecting drinking water supply?
Climate change can alter both water demand and the quality of water resources. Heatwaves can increase consumption, while heavy rainfall can introduce additional substances into water bodies. For a stable drinking water supply, this means that distribution networks and waterworks should be able to respond to changing conditions.
Why is raw water quality becoming more variable?
Raw water quality is increasingly influenced by external factors. Inputs from agriculture and industry, micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues or pesticides, and microplastics can all alter the composition of water resources. At the same time, heavy rain and droughts affect the concentration of constituents. Modern water treatment should be designed for defined variations in relevant raw-water parameters.
What role do pumps play in water treatment at a waterworks?
At a waterworks, pumps and pump systems play a central role in many stages of the drinking water treatment process. They transfer water between treatment stages and support processes such as filter backwashing and pressure maintenance. This helps maintain the required hydraulic conditions and supports demand-based plant operation.
How can existing waterworks and drinking water mains be modernised?
Many waterworks and drinking water mains have evolved over decades. Modernisation often focuses on renewing or optimising individual components of the water infrastructure with the aim of limiting disruption to ongoing operations. Digital monitoring and control solutions, together with energy demand in mind, can support the step-by-step modernisation of plants and make relevant operating parameters more visible for ongoing system optimisation.
What is the difference between drinking water transportation and drinking water distribution?
Drinking water transportation refers to the movement of large volumes of water from extraction points or waterworks to storage facilities or central network nodes through trunk mains. This often involves covering long distances and overcoming topographical height differences.
Drinking water distribution takes place within the regional or municipal mains. From there, treated water is delivered via a finely branched pipe system to households, public institutions and businesses. While transport focuses primarily on flow capacity and pressure management, distribution is all about maintaining pressure within defined ranges and supporting demand-based supply across the designed service area.
Solutions along the water cycle
Our solutions address multiple stages of the water cycle – from extraction and storage through use, treatment and return to the environment. In this way, our solutions support defined tasks in the transport, treatment and operation of water infrastructure.
