MONTREAL & PITTSBURGH, MARCH 27, 2017 -- Evoqua today announced its Vortisand® water filtration system is now in service at the Montreal Ecomuseum Zoo, making it possible for visitors to see the zoo's otters at play.
Evoqua was selected to supply a Vortisand cross-flow microsand media filtration system, a Vortisand H2F® series 600 gpm (136 m3/h) unit, to filter the water circulating in the otter habitat and water basin. The Vortisand H2F series is unique in its high efficiency capabilities and reduced footprint, making it the perfect solution for the Ecomuseum's 3-meter by 4-meter (10 foot by 13 foot) mechanical room. The natural outdoor environment of the habitat posed a challenge; over time, the water basin acts as an air scrubber, absorbing airborne contaminants and debris as they brush along the surface of the water. These contaminants can build up and create a film on various types of hard surfaces, potentially covering the viewing window and other surfaces found within the habitat. The airborne contaminants and debris also increase the risk of experiencing higher levels of water turbidity. Such high levels of turbidity will result in reduced water clarity, further limiting the learning experience for Ecomuseum Zoo visitors. The submicron filtration performance of the Vortisand filter helped remove fine particles that would otherwise make it impossible for visitors to see the otters through the viewing glass, portholes and underwater tunnel. With minimal maintenance and manual intervention required, the Ecomuseum Zoo employees are able to focus on nurturing and growing their family.
The Ecomuseum Zoo is home to the most impressive ambassadors of Quebec's wildlife. All residents of the Ecomuseum Zoo are there for a special reason: orphaned, injured or born under professional human care, each of them could not return to the wild. Hence, they have found a forever home at the zoo.
The Ecomuseum Zoo, a member of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), opened its doors in 1988 and has been the recipient of various awards. While always making animal welfare a priority, the Ecomuseum Zoo has had one goal: being leaders in environmental education and conservation of Quebec's species and their habitats. This goal has been further achieved by introducing the zoo's first 6,000 square foot river otter habitat; made up of vast land area, riverbanks and a 66,000-gallon (250,000 litre) water basin. Visitors of the zoo will see the otters in action through a 15 meter (50 foot) window, as well as an underwater viewing tunnel.
"Every effort is made to provide an exceptional level of care. Here at the Ecomuseum Zoo, we make animal welfare our number one priority, and this habitat is a faithful reflection of that choice. Nothing has been neglected to ensure that the River Otters in our care have a safe, soothing and stimulating environment. We are deeply satisfied with the work achieved by Vortisand systems. Being able to work with such a high level product means a lot for our team's efficiency and our animals' well-being, two of our main concerns," said David Rodrigue, Executive Director of the Ecomuseum Zoo.
About Vortisand
Vortisand®, an Evoqua brand, is synonymous with water filtration, serving the industrial water markets since 1986. The award-winning Vortisand High Efficiency Microsand Filtration System is a high capacity media filter that combines cross-flow dynamics with microsand media to achieve submicron filtration performance. This technology allows the unit to operate at filtration rates of up to 5 times greater than those of traditional media filters, while filtering 10-50 times finer. With over 2,500 installations worldwide, Vortisand systems are a leader in high efficiency filtration systems.
About Evoqua
Evoqua Water Technologies is the global leader in helping municipalities and industrial customers protect and improve the world's most fundamental natural resource: water. Evoqua has a more than 100-year heritage of innovation and industry firsts, market-leading expertise, and unmatched customer service, where it continues to transform water and wastewater. Its cost-effective and reliable treatment systems and services ensure uninterrupted quantity and quality of water, enable regulatory and environmental compliance, increase efficiency through water reuse, and prepare customers for next-generation demands.
