Reliable drinking water supply starts with robust infrastructure
Up to 30 per cent of treated drinking water is lost through leaks during transportation. This water has already been extracted and processed – yet still fails to reach its destination. Leaky networks mean more than wasted resources: they also increase the risk of contamination entering the system. Microbiological and chemical pollution, biofilms, stagnation and backflow can all impair water quality and require consistent monitoring.
Long-distance transmission mains, significant elevation differences, outdated pump systems and inadequate pressure management place additional strain on networks. Excessive pressure can damage pipes and cause leaks, while insufficient pressure jeopardises security of drinking water supply. What is needed are systems that operate reliably and efficiently – even under peak loads, changing climatic conditions and tighter regulatory requirements.
Conditions at the waterworks are becoming more demanding too
Heavy rainfall, periods of drought and inputs from agriculture and industry are causing greater fluctuations in raw water quality. Alongside classic parameters, micro-pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, microplastics and industrial chemicals are becoming increasingly important.
At the same time, many plants have been in operation for decades and now require modernisation, more maintenance and improved digital capability. In parallel, the demands placed on documentation and process reliability are increasing. Today, drinking water treatment must operate flexibly, in full compliance with regulations and with high energy efficiency – consistently and under changing conditions.
Let’s shape the future of drinking water infrastructure together
Whether it is modernising transmission mains, optimising pressure management or improving efficiency at the waterworks – talk to us about your project and we will work with you to develop tailored solutions for both transport and treatment.
Our solutions for drinking water transportation and treatment
Drinking water supply starts long before water flows from the tap. Our solutions support both the reliable transport of water over long distances and its safe treatment at the waterworks.
Drinking water transportation
Stable pressure. Lower losses. Full transparency.
A high‑performance drinking water transport system reliably connects extraction points, waterworks and distribution infrastructure over long distances and across varying elevations. Precise pressure management is crucial: constant pressure at the tap is usually ensured by elevated tanks, which are either clearly visible above ground or built into the surrounding hillsides, depending on the local topography.
Our carefully dimensioned pump systems create the required pressure conditions to keep supply stable and protect the pipe network. Variable-speed drives and intelligent control systems consistently prevent both underpressure and overpressure. This reduces pressure surges, minimises the risk of leaks and effectively curbs water losses.
At the same time, digital interfaces provide transparency on key operating parameters. Volume flows, pressure profiles and energy consumption are recorded in a clear and traceable way and can be integrated into existing control systems. This enables continuous adjustment of duty points, improves hydraulic efficiency and provides a solid foundation of data for investment and modernisation decisions.
From hydraulic dimensioning and technical engineering through to the renewal of existing long-distance and distribution mains, we take a holistic approach to projects – for both new installations and the modernisation of established infrastructures.
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Drinking water treatment
Reliable processes. Efficient operation. Future-proof waterworks.
A wide range of treatment stages interact within a waterworks – and we offer suitable solutions for each of them. Fluctuating raw water quality and additional loads from heavy rainfall or inputs from agriculture and industry place high demands on treatment and call for flexible, robust system solutions. From inlet screening and, where necessary, deacidification, through precipitation and flocculation, filtration and adjustment of the lime–carbonic acid balance, right through to disinfection, we support you with coordinated pump technology as well as equipment and plant technology. Our sub‑brand, Wilo FSM, offers proven solutions that can be precisely integrated into existing treatment concepts.
In addition, we support the energy‑optimised design of intermediate pumping stages, filter backwashing and pressure maintenance in elevated tanks. Demand‑based control ensures stable hydraulic conditions and reduces energy consumption in continuous operation.
Digital interfaces and monitoring options can further enhance transparency around key process parameters – particularly in modernisation or new‑build projects with heightened requirements for documentation and operational reliability.
Whether you are modernising existing infrastructure or planning new treatment facilities: we take a holistic view of waterworks – from pumps and associated equipment through to process engineering systems such as deacidification and treatment plants, their integration into existing control technology and service‑oriented operating concepts.
Contact us nowProven references for secure drinking water transport and future‑ready treatment
Our systems are already in use in demanding drinking water projects worldwide. Explore selected references to see how we work with our partners to stabilise transport mains, reduce water losses and further develop waterworks for the future.
Reliable and efficient water supply for the Xiong'an New Area
Rongdong pressure-boosting pump station
Construction of the new Xiong’an area is in full swing. Rongdong is one of the most important districts under development, and work on municipal infrastructure has already begun there.
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 ensure 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, ensuring sufficient water for the Rongdong area.
Efficient treatment of clean water
Moos waterworks, Germany
The new Moos waterworks supplies 15 municipalities in the Bavarian Forest with soft “forest water” using an innovative softening process. This state‑of‑the‑art plant is equipped with 67 Wilo pumps and is one of the most modern waterworks in Europe.
The main aim is to further increase the reliability of the water supply and secure the availability of clean drinking water for people in Eastern Bavaria. Operated by the Zweckverband Waldwasser association, the plant supplies 15,000 households south of the Danube with softened drinking water, the so‑called soft forest water. With a capacity of up to 400 cubic metres per hour, it distributes water efficiently into the networks.
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 and safeguard 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 largely maintenance‑free and is expected to remain in operation for between five and seven years.
Services and solutions for the entire lifecycle of your plant
Wilo supports you reliably in every project phase – from planning and design through to commissioning and maintenance. The goal is safe, efficient and predictable 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 predictive maintenance
- Trainings for operation and maintenance
With standardised and individually-tailored packages and digital tools, we create transparency around operating conditions, reduce unplanned downtime and ensure the long-term operation of water management infrastructure.
Contact our expertsReliable water supply begins with responsibility
A secure drinking water supply underpins health, quality of life and economic stability. Behind every litre of water lies a complex chain of transport and treatment processes that must function reliably over the long term.
By designing these processes precisely and ensuring their long‑term stability, we help to maintain resilient infrastructure and use water responsibly, even under changing climatic and regulatory conditions.
For us, water supply means responsibility – towards regions, municipalities and future generations. With carefully engineered pump and system technology, we create the foundation for a drinking water infrastructure you can depend on.
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about Drinking Water Transportation 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 sharply increase consumption. Precise pressure management in the network is therefore essential. Speed-controlled pump systems for water supply installations adapt volume flows flexibly and ensure that stable pressure conditions are maintained in the mains, even at peak loads.
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 protects infrastructure and ensures that water can be transported reliably over long distances and across varying elevations.
How is climate change affecting drinking water supply?
Climate change is altering both water demand and the quality of water resources. Heatwaves significantly increase consumption, while heavy rainfall can introduce additional substances into water bodies. For a stable drinking water supply, this means that transport mains and waterworks must be able to respond flexibly to changing conditions while still guaranteeing a consistently high quality of service.
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 at the waterworks therefore needs to be flexible enough to cope with a wide range of different loads.
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 steps, support filter backwashing and maintain stable pressure conditions in elevated tanks. Carefully coordinated pump technology helps ensure stable hydraulic processes and reliable 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 without disrupting ongoing operations. Digital monitoring and control solutions, along with energy‑optimised pump systems for water supply, help to modernise plants step by step and make operations more transparent and efficient.
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 stable pressure and ensuring even supply across the whole supply area.
Solutions along the water cycle
Our solutions cover the entire water cycle – from extraction and storage through responsible use to treatment and return to the natural environment. In this way, we ensure water quality and availability for current and future generations.
