AVK Valves Contribute to Green Development in Wuhu, Preserving the Clear Waters of the Yangtze River

Wuhu Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion Project (Phases I- III) 25-03-2024

Looking at the Yangtze River is also looking at China. The Yangtze River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, carries five thousand years of Chinese civilization. However, for some time, the ecological environment of the Yangtze River has faced severe challenges, such as chemical encirclement and industrial wastewater discharge. The Yangtze River is sick and the situation is severe. In response to General Secretary Xi Jinping's call for "focusing on protection, not excessive development," various cities along the Yangtze River have taken action, committing to the protection and restoration of the river's ecological environment.

On the map of China, the Yangtze River winds horizontally like a giant dragon, and Wuhu is a shining pearl beside this dragon. As a city built alongside and prosperous due to the river, Wuhu plays a pivotal role in the mission of collectively protecting the Yangtze River. In July 2018, a memorable moment occurred when the Three Gorges Corporation selected Wuhu as one of the first pilot cities for the Yangtze River protection efforts, signing a far-reaching agreement with the Wuhu Municipal Government—the "Cooperation Framework Agreement for Jointly Protecting the Yangtze River and Establishing a Green Development Demonstration Zone." This agreement not only sets a green tone for the future development of Wuhu City but also marks a new historical stage in ecological protection and green development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Three Gorges Corporation and the implementation subject of ecological and environmental protection businesses, the Wuhu Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant, which Yangtze Ecology and Environment Co., Ltd. is involved in, is a concentrated embodiment of the "Three Gorges Model" and "Wuhu Experience" in Wuhu's ecological construction. As the largest wastewater treatment plant in southern Anhui, the Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant undertakes the task of treating domestic wastewater from Wuhu and its surrounding areas. To improve wastewater treatment efficiency, achieve higher discharge standards, and enhance the regional water ecological environment, the Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant has undergone multiple phases of upgrading and expansion. Phases I and II have a total treatment capacity of 220,000 m3/day, while Phase III added an additional 115,000 m3/day, bringing the total capacity to 335,000 m3/day. The long-term design capacity is 450,000 m3/day.

The upgrade project for Phases I and II involves adding advanced treatment units after the existing secondary treatment process, adopting the "Biological Tank (existing, with added media) + High-Efficiency Flocculation Sedimentation Tank + Denitrification Deep Bed Filter" process. For the Phase III expansion project, the pretreatment adopts the "Fine Screen + Aerated Grit Chamber + Membrane Screen" process, the biological treatment uses the "A-A-O + MBR" process, disinfection uses the "Sodium Hypochlorite" process, sludge treatment employs the "Gravity Thickening + Centrifugal Dewatering" process, and odor control utilizes the "Biofilter" process.

Amidst these complex upgrading and expansion projects, there are numerous technical difficulties, such as precise control of biological treatment, achieving efficient flocculation and sedimentation, and implementing MBR flat membrane technology. AVK valves, with the superior product performance, precisely addressed these challenges. We provided a full range of valve solutions for the multiple phases of the Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project, including gate valves, butterfly valves, check valves, and knife gate valves, ranging from DN50 to DN2000, totaling over 400 units. With high-precision control capabilities and excellent corrosion resistance, AVK valves ensure stable and efficient biological treatment. Additionally, AVK’s unique design and advanced manufacturing enable the valves to perform remarkably in the advanced treatment stages, effectively enhancing water quality. For customers, AVK valves not only resolve application challenges but also offer significant cost savings in maintenance and time, delivering both environmental and economic benefits.

Through the upgrade project and the assistance of AVK valves, the Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant has significantly improved its treatment capacity, with the treated water meeting the national Class A discharge standard. This means the treated wastewater can be safely discharged into the Yangtze River, significantly reducing its negative impact on the river's ecological environment. Furthermore, the upgrading project at Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant has also positively influenced the surrounding aquatic environment. Specifically, Wuhu Jiangdong Water Ecological Park receives 40,000 tons of tailwater daily from the plant. Through ecological purification facilities such as subsurface flow constructed wetlands, the nitrogen and phosphorus content is reduced, elevating the water quality to meet the Surface Water Quality Standard Class IV. This purified water is then discharged into the surrounding Banshengyan and Baoxingyan water systems. These clean waters feed into the urban river system, providing a constant source of freshwater, effectively improving the water environment, and achieving the trifecta of water pollution control, ecological restoration, and resource protection. This not only demonstrates Wuhu's dedication to ecological civilization construction, but also contributes significantly to the development of a beautiful Yangtze River Economic Belt.

AVK played an important role in the upgrading and reconstruction project of Wuhu Zhujiaqiao Wastewater Treatment Plant, contributing to the great protection of the Yangtze River and playing a positive role in comprehensively building a beautiful economic belt along the Yangtze River (Anhui) with clear waters, green banks, and excellent industries. Looking ahead, with the in-depth promotion of the Yangtze River protection action and the implementation of more similar projects, AVK will continue to gather globalized professional know-how and advanced manufacturing capabilities, deeply integrate localized efficient services and deep understanding, and are committed to providing high-quality, intelligent valve solutions for the protection of the Yangtze River ecological environment. We adhere to the environmental protection concept of low-carbon and energy-saving, and contribute more to building the ecological barrier of the Yangtze River through continuous innovation and service upgrades, to jointly protect this mother river of the Chinese nation.