Pesticides

Pesticides and fungicides may contain a huge range of molecules, measured together as chemical oxygen demand (COD), that may harm the environment, starve waterways of oxygen, and enter the human food chain. Certain compounds often found in pesticides and fungicides, including adsorbable organic halides (AOX), are subject to additional restrictions due to their toxicity. Furthermore, some fungicides may decompose into 1,2,4-triazole, causing environmental and food contamination concerns. 

Activated carbon treats pesticides and fungicides, including 1,2,4-triazole, from wastewater from rinsing, vegetable washing, and food processing. These compounds must be removed from wastewater to avoid killing off the bacteria in biofilters at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). 

DESOTEC’s activated carbon filters are an effective pre-treatment for WWTPs, lowering COD and removing AOX, triazole and other harmful components. Our filters may also be used to purify wastewater for reuse in your industrial processes, boosting sustainability and saving you disposal costs. 

Activated carbon may be used to treat water from the rinsing of agricultural tools and machinery, as well as contaminated rainfall run-off, leaks and spills. This prevents crop protection products such as fungicide and pesticide components from entering groundwater or surface water. 

DESOTEC filters are ideally suited to small farming businesses: they have a compact footprint and are plug-and-play, requiring no on-site operators. They are also economical for batch treatment.

Our filters are also widely used in remediation work to treat pumped-up groundwater, which can then be discharged back to the environment or sent to a WWTP. Our filters are mobile and rental, making them useful for temporary applications such as spills, and can be delivered fast in urgent situations. 

Activated carbon can enable your company to comply with regulations around pesticides and fungicides in water, as well as with WWTP acceptance criteria. In the EU, the Water Framework Directive is the overarching legislation governing water quality, regulated through regional and national laws and COD/ BOD and AOX limits. Other regions have similar regulations. It’s worth noting that regulation is becoming stricter, particularly for triazole and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

DESOTEC has the expertise and technology to help your company comply with all relevant legislation. In emergencies, we can deliver our filters swiftly for immediate operation. As they are modular, set-ups may be expanded to suit changing parameters or more stringent limits, making them an ideal way to future-proof your business. 

Activated carbon is a highly effective treatment for pesticides and fungicides in wastewater and groundwater, and mobile filtration is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option – but it does depend on various factors.

For example:

• Where flow is intermittent, activated carbon is generally more cost-effective than alternatives.
• If space is tight, DESOTEC filters have a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
• For short-term usage, our filters are mobile and rental – unlike more permanent installations.
• If treatment is needed immediately, our filters can be delivered fast and are plug-and-play – some alternatives have a lengthy lead-in time.
• If your needs might change in the future, our systems are modular – other technology might be less adaptable.

DESOTEC is keen to help customers find the best treatment for their needs, and our experts will tell you if they think an alternative technology might be more suitable than activated carbon.

Activated carbon is a very versatile technology, so there are many ways to optimise set-ups – e.g. placing filters in series, using different carbon grades, or combining filters with complementary technology such as scrubbers or reverse osmosis.

DESOTEC’s experts carry out testing, advise on set-up design, and offer ongoing support as part of our full-service solution. Our activated carbon filtration solutions have a low total cost of ownership (TCO): they have minimal capex costs, and our service includes maintenance, upgrading, and sustainable carbon waste handling. Thanks to our circular approach, waste carbon is reactivated wherever possible, cutting your costs and helping you reach your green goals.