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World’s largest HFNF plant for indirect potable reuse in Mexico (SAPAL)
NX Filtration’s HFNF technology enables sustainable potable reuse with low energy consumption, minimal chemical use and preservation of beneficial minerals.
World’s largest HFNF plant for indirect potable reuse in Mexico (SAPAL)
The Challenge
León, Mexico, is facing severe and prolonged drought, putting pressure on groundwater resources and existing water reuse practices. To secure future drinking water availability, SAPAL launched a large-scale indirect potable reuse program, converting municipal wastewater into a reliable source for reservoir augmentation and subsequent drinking water production.
The Solution
NX Filtration’s Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration technology provides a fit-for-purpose alternative to conventional UF-RO based reuse schemes. HFNF removes colour, COD, turbidity, bacteria and organic micropollutants, while preserving hardness, alkalinity and other beneficial minerals. This avoids the need for remineralization and supports stable integration with the El Palote drinking water treatment plant.
At SAPAL, secondary municipal wastewater is treated using screening, cloth disk filtration and HFNF, followed by ozone polishing before blending into the reservoir. Phase I of 17 MLD is operational, while Phase II will bring the total capacity to 34 MLD, making this the world’s largest HFNF-based indirect potable reuse installation.
The Result
The HFNF system operates at more than 85% recovery and around 30 LMH, with measured energy consumption of approximately 0.24 kWh/m³. Operating data show strong reductions in colour, COD, turbidity and bacterial coliforms, while maintaining mineral balance and alkalinity. The process requires no coagulants, flocculants or antiscalants, reducing operational complexity and residuals.
The SAPAL project demonstrates how HFNF can support drought-resilient urban water supply by transforming treated municipal wastewater into a reliable, high-quality source for indirect potable reuse.
León, Mexico, is facing severe and prolonged drought, putting pressure on groundwater resources and existing water reuse practices. To secure future drinking water availability, SAPAL launched a large-scale indirect potable reuse program, converting municipal wastewater into a reliable source for reservoir augmentation and subsequent drinking water production.
The Solution
NX Filtration’s Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration technology provides a fit-for-purpose alternative to conventional UF-RO based reuse schemes. HFNF removes colour, COD, turbidity, bacteria and organic micropollutants, while preserving hardness, alkalinity and other beneficial minerals. This avoids the need for remineralization and supports stable integration with the El Palote drinking water treatment plant.
At SAPAL, secondary municipal wastewater is treated using screening, cloth disk filtration and HFNF, followed by ozone polishing before blending into the reservoir. Phase I of 17 MLD is operational, while Phase II will bring the total capacity to 34 MLD, making this the world’s largest HFNF-based indirect potable reuse installation.
The Result
The HFNF system operates at more than 85% recovery and around 30 LMH, with measured energy consumption of approximately 0.24 kWh/m³. Operating data show strong reductions in colour, COD, turbidity and bacterial coliforms, while maintaining mineral balance and alkalinity. The process requires no coagulants, flocculants or antiscalants, reducing operational complexity and residuals.
The SAPAL project demonstrates how HFNF can support drought-resilient urban water supply by transforming treated municipal wastewater into a reliable, high-quality source for indirect potable reuse.
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