INDESPA | Providing fresh water to Chilean fishing villages without electricity

A solar-powered LB-2800F reverse osmosis system manufactured by Spectra Watermakers has been installed to support the water needs of an off-grid fishing village.

project:	LB-2800F in Chile
customer:	INDESPA
product:	LB 2800F
area:	Chile's Atacama Desert Coast. No natural fresh water source.

client

The water-making equipment was purchased by the fishermen's union of Pan de Azucar, a small fishing village on the coast of Chile's Atacama Desert. The village consists of 22 homes and 3 seafood restaurants and is located in the Pan de Azucar National Park, which has unique marine flora and fauna. Since no public facilities reach the village, electricity production relies entirely on solar power. Lack of potable water has long been a problem and the village has struggled to survive on water transported from Chanaral.

need

The original intention of the project was to provide drinking water for seafood restaurants and promote the prosperity of fishing activities. The project is funded by the Chilean government’s Institute for the Development of Sustainable Fisheries and Small-Scale Aquaculture (INDESPA). INDESPA worked with fishermen's unions to purchase water production equipment and define the basic objectives of the project. The goal is to support Pan de Azucar's economy, promote the diversification of its fishing industry, and help future community development. The water production equipment will improve the health of fishing families and strengthen their livelihoods by providing water for seafood restaurants and sanitation throughout the village.

Project details

For 35 years, Sea Line and Nauticentro have had a strong presence in the region and have been leaders in providing products and services to Chile's small fishing communities. The project was developed within the framework of the government project INDESPA, in which Sea Line and Nauticentro collaborated to install water production equipment powered by renewable energy.

Construction work began in December 2019. The entire installation was contained within a 16-foot fiberglass shed built by Sea Line. One side houses the batteries, inverter, charge controller and spare parts, while the other side is dedicated to the Spectra LB 2800F unit and associated components such as a large pre-filter, boost pump and chlorination tank. A 3-horsepower electric pump was installed at the dock to capture and deliver seawater to two 15,000-liter seawater tanks on the hillside. Two 15,000-liter water tanks have also been installed to store drinking water produced by the LB-2800F. Sea Line provided remote monitoring and on-site training of the water production equipment, and the fishermen’s union was very pleased with the installation and the high quality of water produced by the LB-2800F.

About water making equipment

LB 2800F is a reverse osmosis water production equipment that uses a Pearson Pump energy recovery device. These durable systems are extremely efficient and ideally suited for solar power. A fixed recovery ratio means that reverse osmosis membranes can be used for many years and are not considered consumables. Due to the simplicity of the system, highly technically trained operators are not required. In addition, the Spectra Connect controller allows full automation of the operation of water-making equipment and, when necessary, freshwater flushing. These robust water-making devices can significantly improve the health and quality of life of any water-scarce area, as long as the area has access to seawater or any water source.

SPECTRA land-based water generator LB 2800 F product link

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