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Single-family eco-house in the Ardennes

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Project

Single-family eco-house in the Ardennes / Belgium / 2016

Application

Potable water from well and rainwater

Products

AQUALOOP

Planning

Connected fixturesAll the fixtures in the house
Persons in the household2 adults and 3 children

Description

Written by the builder

Initial situation
We were looking for a way to treat sufficient drinking water for a single-family house in the wilderness for 5 people from an existing well (in the proximity of a spring) and a 5,200 litre rainwater cistern. This was necessary because our wood home in the Ardennes, acquired 13 years ago, was constructed in the 1970s and has not been connected to the drinking water supply in Belgium because of its location. The well water is very clean, but it has to be treated for household use. The aim should be to get water so clean that it could be available for showers, toilets, washbasins, the washing machine, kitchen sink and cooking. Water should not be used as drinking water in the narrower sense. From the outset a larger UV light unit was planned as well as sufficient pre-filtration to keep the INTEWA AQUALOOP filter system clean and long-lasting. The electricity for water production and treatment comes from, among other things, a 7,600 kilowatt solar system.

Implementation
After some research on the internet we became aware of the filter systems of INTEWA from Aachen. The AQUALOOP system quickly turned out to be suitable for domestic use in the treatment into drinking water. The order was placed without any problems after detailed and patient advice from INTEWA. We picked up the components directly in Aachen. Our Belgian installer was able to install the system smoothly. But INTEWA offers support here as well. Basically, you only need space in the basement for two large water tanks (350 litres each) and installation areas for the pump or the expansion tank. The control unit is installed on the wall.

Evaluation
Although the plant is certainly not low-cost, we are very satisfied with the filtration and the extraordinary water quality. We have never seen such clear tap water or felt it on our skin. The water is soft, crystal clear and soothing. It recalls fresh glacier water rather than tap water. It is not necessary to mention that the water does not contain lime. This means that less detergent is needed, the skin is not so dry and the equipment is protected. The water is considerably better than any tap water that we have seen so far.
The system is completely autonomous. The components are of high quality and designed for a long service life. The saved water costs per year are not negligible either. Our system has been running smoothly for almost three years.
On the scale of things, the AQUALOOP water treatment system is highly recommended. A total of 5 out of 5 stars.

Siegers/ Heinrichs