Services / Treatability studies

We define the treatment technology based on how your water behaves

At Sanitron we carry out treatability studies to evaluate how water responds to different treatment processes and establish the technical conditions needed to reach the required quality.

By evaluating treatment alternatives, we define the processes, operating parameters and dosing requirements that allow us to select the most suitable technologies and support engineering decisions.

Gloved hand holding a beaker with a water sample in the laboratory

Studies aligned with

Discharge limitsapplicable to each project

Regulationsbased on water use and quality

Characterizationby an accredited laboratory

Investing without testing is the most expensive mistake in water treatment

Every water source has particular conditions that affect the selection and performance of a treatment technology. Evaluating them before investing lets you anticipate limitations, compare alternatives and reduce technical and financial risk.

  • Choosing the wrong technologyAvoid processes that don’t reach the required quality or don’t fit the water’s actual conditions.
  • Unexpected operating costsEvaluate dosing needs, consumable use and discharge generation before the design is defined.
  • Variations in water qualityHelps identify conditions that can affect treatment stability and performance.
  • Failure to meet quality requirementsProvides technical information to define processes that meet the parameters required for the water’s use or discharge.
  • Unidentified reuse opportunitiesEvaluate options to recover water and determine whether reuse is technically feasible.

What you gain from a treatability study

  • Lower investment riskAssess the feasibility of treatment alternatives before committing resources to equipment and infrastructure.
  • A technical basis for the designObtain operating parameters, dosing requirements and performance results that serve as the basis for defining the treatment solution.
  • Operating cost projectionCompare alternatives considering consumable use, operating needs and waste generation.
  • Decisions backed by resultsGet a technical report that supports the technology selection and makes project evaluation easier.
  • Continuity with SanitronFeed the study results into the next stages of engineering, design and system implementation.

What we study and at what scale

We evaluate the water characteristics and treatment alternatives through tests of different scope. We define the study stages based on the water conditions, the project goals and the level of technical validation required.

1Characterization

Water characterization

We determine the water’s physicochemical and, where applicable, microbiological properties to identify the parameters that drive treatment.

When do you need it?When starting a project or when you need to know the water quality and establish a technical basis for selecting treatment alternatives.

2Alternatives

Evaluation of treatment alternatives

Based on the characterization and the project requirements, we evaluate treatment alternatives and define the additional tests or analyses needed to determine their technical feasibility. When the case requires it, we coordinate specific tests to compare alternatives and establish design parameters.

When do you need it?When several technologies are possible or additional information is needed to support the choice of treatment process.

3Pilot test

On-site pilot test

When the project requires it and pilot equipment is available, we evaluate the treatment with real water to observe its behavior under representative operating conditions.

  • Tracking of performance parameters.
  • Evaluation of process stability.
  • Analysis of consumable use and operating needs.
  • Gathering information for scaling up the system.

When do you need it?In projects where water complexity, flow or quality demands require additional validation before defining the full-scale industrial design.

4Feasibility

Technical and economic feasibility

We analyze the test results and compare alternatives considering their technical requirements, costs and implementation conditions.

  • Comparison of treatment technologies.
  • Investment (CAPEX) and operating cost (OPEX) estimates.
  • Evaluation of discharge generation and management.
  • Analysis of water reuse and recovery potential.
  • Identification of conditions and risks relevant to implementation.

When do you need it?Before approving an investment, when you need to compare options and have technical and economic information to support the decision.

Already know what your treatment system needs?

If you already have enough information about water quality and process requirements, we can go straight to designing a solution tailored to your project.

How we carry out your treatability study

We structure each study according to the project’s needs, from defining objectives to delivering technical recommendations that guide the next stages of system development.

  • Defining requirementsWe set the study objectives, the client’s needs and the quality criteria the water must meet.
  • Information gatheringWe review the available process data, operating conditions and water quality history.
  • Water characterizationWe identify the parameters relevant to treatment and, when more information is needed, coordinate the corresponding lab analyses.
  • Evaluation of alternativesWe analyze the treatment options that best fit the identified conditions and the project goals.
  • Feasibility analysisWe assess the technical and economic feasibility of the alternatives, considering their operating requirements and estimated costs.
  • Report and technical recommendationWe consolidate the results and present the recommendations that will serve as the basis for technology selection and solution development.

What does your technical report include?

Results and technical recommendations that support technology selection and guide the development of your project.

  • Executive summary
  • Water characterization
  • Evaluation of alternatives
  • Technical recommendation
  • Preliminary design criteria
  • Operating requirements
  • Cost estimate
  • Regulatory and operating considerations

Related services

Complement your treatability study with services to develop, evaluate and optimize water treatment solutions.

Engineering and designDevelopment of treatment solutions tailored to process requirements and water quality.

Upgrades and retrofitsIdentification of improvement opportunities to optimize the performance of existing systems.

System rentalTreatment options for projects that need temporary solutions or operational flexibility.

Technical auditReview of operating conditions and identification of improvement opportunities in treatment plants.

What do we need to evaluate your project?

Here is the basic information that helps us identify your water’s treatment needs and define the scope of the study.

  • Water source.
  • Intended use: process, consumption, reuse or discharge.
  • Required flow.
  • Available quality analyses.
  • Final quality you need to reach.
  • Need or problem you want to solve.

Frequently asked questions

When is a treatability study recommended?

It’s recommended when you need to determine the most suitable treatment technology, evaluate alternatives before investing in a plant or identify improvement opportunities in an existing system.

What information is needed to start a study?

It helps to have information about the water’s source and quality, the required flow, its intended use and the process operating conditions. If you don’t have all this data, we can review the available information and define the evaluation requirements.

Are laboratory analyses necessary?

It depends on the available information and the study objectives. If additional data is needed to evaluate treatment alternatives, the necessary complementary analyses can be defined and coordinated.

How long does a treatability study take?

The timeline depends on the water characteristics, the information available and the scope of the evaluation. Timeframes are set according to each project’s specific requirements.

What information will I get at the end of the study?

You’ll receive a technical report with the evaluation results and recommendations to guide the choice of treatment alternatives. The content is defined according to the scope agreed for the project.

What happens if the evaluated alternative isn’t feasible?

The results help identify technical limitations and analyze other treatment options, process adjustments or reuse possibilities, depending on the water conditions and project goals.

Evaluate your water before you invest

Tell us the source, flow and quality you need to reach. We’ll define the scope of the treatability study for your project.

Contact us

Office in EcuadorDe los Eucaliptos E8-70 y calle E9, Quito 170307

Phone numbers+593 99 871 1330
+593 2 280 8126

Emailinfo@sanitronec.com

Business hoursMonday to Friday
9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00

Office in the United States9995 NW 9th St. Circle, Suite 3, Miami, FL 33172
+1 786 972 2008