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Water Management
In 2009 we achieved a further reduction in water consumption and wastewater discharge. The reduction in total water withdrawals reached 8.6% compared to 2008 data mainly due to small improvements in our systems and production reduction. In parallel, several technological improvements were made at the water treatment stage as well.
Water withdrawal
At Duna Refinery the amount of total water withdrawals decreased by 14% in 2009 (compared to 2008) due to unit shutdowns along with a slowdown in production plans and the purchasing of steam from external sources.
Total water withdrawals decreased at the Tisza Refinery in 2009 (compared to 2008) due to unit shutdowns and fewer tank calibrations - which are postponed to 2010. Rainwater collected on site was recycled at a ratio of more than 50% of the total water used for technology purposes.
At Slovnaft Refinery total water withdrawals decreased by 11% in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to improvements in the water cooling processes and decreased production.
Total water withdrawal by source in 2009 [th m3]:
Water discharge
The total volume of water discharged was 84.7 mn m3 in 2009, mainly discharged into surface waters. The Danube and Tisza rivers are those most affected.
We reviewed our subsurface water risk assessment plan for the Duna Refinery with further proposals to extend the monitoring system. Reconstruction of underground tanks was initiated. At the Zala Refinery upgrading of the biological wastewater treatment facility (which started in 2008) is under way; the project will be finished in 2010.
Last year we modernized the wastewater treatment unit at the Slovnaft Refinery. With the installation of a fine bubble aeration system and new pumps and enhanced sludge processing, a significant efficiency improvement was achieved. The amount of discharged oil recorded increased due to a new, more precise way of measurement.
Modernization of the obsolete wastewater treatment plants was completed in the Kapušany, Hronský Beňadik and Horný Hričov depots to improve the removal of organics. To prevent non-compliance with the Water Act for the period 2010-2012, we initiated projects to install a leakage indication system with associated isolation of manipulation areas and wastewater tanks in the Stoľok, Hronský Beňadik and Horný Hričov tank farms. We also prepared a project for the revamping of the old pipeline from Bratislava refinery to the Barge loading harbour to reduce the risk of further leakages.
At our Slovakian petrochemical plant we decreased water consumption by recycling demineralised water used for the cleaning of cylinder filters for the process cooling water containers. As a result of optimizing the pH-regulating system we also managed to save deionised water.
Regarding our main discharge water quality indicators – e.g. TPH, BOD, COD - in 2009, we can declare that an almost 30% decrease was realised when comparing with the same parameters from 2005.
