Industrial water treatment
Water treatment for food processing
Process water has to meet more than the regulations — it has to meet the requirements of your specific production process. ZIKO designs the solution around your plant.
- In-house laboratorywater analysis and testing
- 1,760+ completed projectsZIKO experience since 1993
- Up to 5-year warrantyon engineering solutions and equipment, subject to terms
- Service across Ukrainetechnical support and field service crews
Problems
When water quality becomes a production problem
In food production, water quality affects the product, process stability, the condition of equipment and compliance with production requirements.
Who needs water treatment in food processing
Meat and poultry processing
Slaughtering, washing, chilling, sanitation. Water quality affects production processes, product safety and equipment performance.
Dairy processing and cheese making
Water is used in production, washing and CIP processes. Its composition affects product quality and equipment reliability.
Juice, puree and beverage production
Water is an ingredient of the product and is used in production processes. Steam generators and heat exchangers have separate water requirements.
Vegetable, fruit and berry processing
Raw material washing, production processes and sanitation. Microbiological and physicochemical water parameters are especially important.
Fish and seafood processing
Washing raw material and equipment, chilling and production processes. Water quality directly affects product safety and plant hygiene.
Grain processing, bakery and confectionery
Water is used as an ingredient and in production processes. Its composition affects product properties, the process and equipment performance.
What poor water breaks
Microbiological parameters
Non-compliant microbiological parameters put product safety, equipment hygiene and process stability at risk.
Iron, manganese, turbidity
Can cause discoloration, sediment, off-flavors, deposits on equipment and poorer organoleptic properties of the product.
Hardness and mineralization
Drive scale and deposit formation, reduce heat-exchange efficiency and affect steam and process equipment.
Chlorine, organic impurities, odor and taste
Can affect the organoleptic properties of the water and the finished product and put additional load on production processes.
Water requirements
Drinking water is not always process water
Every production has its own requirements. Water is no exception.
One water main — four different requirements
In food production, water is an ingredient, a cleaning agent and a heat carrier at the same time. Each use has different requirements, so the system is designed around actual consumption, not around the industry label.
Into the productrecipes, dough mixing, diluting concentrates
CIP washingcleaning equipment and pipelines between batches
Steam and boiler houseboilers, steam generators and heat exchangers
Product chillingchilling, ice, ice water
“We have drinking water from the mains” — and it still needs treatment
Water “as is”
- Residual chlorine within the drinking-water limit — and an off-flavor in the product.
- Hardness within the drinking-water limit — and scale in CIP washing and the steam generator.
- Iron from the well causes color, taste and rust stains on equipment.
- Water composition can change, while the process needs consistent quality.
Water after treatment
- Parameters meet DSanPiN and the process specification, not just the drinking-water standard.
- Stable composition — reproducible recipes and predictable washing cycles.
- Less scale — less fuel and detergents, longer equipment life.
- Proven result: iron ≤ 0.2 mg/L at a poultry processing plant since 2018.
Water parameters that matter for production processes
| Parameter | Why it matters for production |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Affects scale formation and equipment reliability |
| Iron and manganese | Can affect color, sediment, product quality and equipment performance |
| Mineralization and salt composition | Important for recipes, production processes and equipment life |
| Residual chlorine | May be undesirable for certain production processes |
| Turbidity and suspended solids | Affect water quality and the performance of process equipment |
| Microbiological parameters | Critical for food safety and sanitation |
Water that meets drinking-water standards is not necessarily optimal for a particular production. The required quality parameters depend on how the water is used, the production technology and the equipment requirements. That is why ZIKO starts every system design with a water analysis and the process requirements of the specific plant.
How we work
From production requirements to a ready solution
Not every customer has a ready technical specification for water treatment — and that is fine. Here are the four stages ZIKO goes through with you.
Stage 01 of 04
We study the task
We analyze the input data, your needs and the specifics of the site.
- Water analysisTesting the raw water and defining the treatment requirements.
When needed, laboratory studies and water testing are added to the work to justify the solution for the specific site.
Stage 02 of 04
We help draft the specification
We define the required parameters and the requirements for the treated water.
- Technical specificationWe compile the input data and system requirements based on the production technology, water consumption and discharge.
Often all you know is
- the water source
- the water quality problems
- the production needs
- the required capacity
ZIKO specialists help to
- compile the input data and the technical specification
- define the treated water quality requirements
- take into account how the water is used at the plant
Stage 03 of 04
We design the solution
We select the solution for your specific production.
- DesignWe develop the engineering solution and project documentation tailored to the site.
You do not have to choose the water treatment technology or the equipment yourself. That is the job of ZIKO engineers.
Stage 04 of 04
We deliver and support
Manufacturing, installation, commissioning and technical support.
- SupplyEquipment sourcing and delivery according to the approved solution.
- InstallationInstallation and integration of the system into the plant’s utilities.
- CommissioningChecking the system’s operating parameters and training the staff.
- ServiceWarranty and post-warranty maintenance, technical support.
Service throughout the system’s life cycle
The maintenance schedule is set individually based on the technology, water quality, operating mode and actual load.
- Scheduled maintenance
- Diagnostics
- Monitoring of operating parameters
- Operating recommendations
- Ongoing service support
From the technical specification to consistent water quality at your plant.
Completed projects
ZIKO experience in water treatment for food production
We build water treatment systems for food industry plants based on how the water is used, production requirements and water consumption patterns.
Iron removal · 80 m³/h
equipment washing, poultry chilling
Industrial water treatment system — 80 m³/h
Task: supply the plant with consistently treated water for process needs.
ZIKO solution: an industrial water treatment system designed and built around the raw water specifics and the plant’s operating mode.
Result: consistent treated water quality; iron content ≤ 0.2 mg/L. The system has been in long-term industrial operation under ZIKO service support.
-
Water treatment system — 30 m³/h
- The solution supplies the plant’s processes with treated water of stable, controlled quality.
- Result: stable operation of the water treatment system and automated supply to production processes.
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Water treatment system for process needs
- The solution was designed to meet the plant’s requirements for treated water quality and how the water is used.
- Result: stable treated water parameters and automated system operation.
ZIKO’s experience covers meat and poultry processing, the dairy industry, juice and beverage production, feed and other food production.
Have a water treatment task?Send us your water analysis and briefly describe your production needs. ZIKO engineers will review the input data, help define the water requirements and propose the best way to solve the task. Consultation and preliminary estimate are free.
Discuss your task with an engineerCost
How much it costs
The cost is calculated individually, based on the water analysis, required capacity and treated water requirements. Consultation and a preliminary estimate are free.
What drives the figure
- Raw water composition from an extended analysis
- Capacity and operating mode of the plant
- Treated water requirements per the process specification
- Where the wastewater goes and the discharge limits at the site
Two schemes compared for an 800 m³/day site
- The difference in investment pays back in 2 years
- Cost of treated water — about UAH 0.02 per liter
FAQ
What to know before ordering a water treatment system
Didn’t find your answer? Describe your task or send a water analysis — a ZIKO engineer will review it and help you plan the next steps.
How much does a water treatment system cost?
The cost is calculated individually and depends on the site’s input data, the required capacity and the treated water requirements. Once we have the input data, ZIKO can prepare a preliminary estimate. The consultation is free.
Where do I start if I don’t have a technical specification yet?
That is not a problem. ZIKO engineers will help you gather the input data, define the treated water requirements and draft a technical specification for your specific production.
Do I need extra treatment if the water is already of drinking quality?
Not always. Water can meet drinking-water requirements and still not meet the requirements of a specific process or piece of equipment. Whether extra treatment is needed depends on the raw water quality and the production requirements.
How does ZIKO choose a solution for difficult water?
We don’t stop at the analysis results. ZIKO has its own laboratory where, when needed, we run additional studies and hands-on tests of the water on different filter media. This lets us assess treatment efficiency on your actual water and design a well-founded technical solution.
Can an existing water treatment system be upgraded?
Yes. ZIKO engineers can review how your existing system performs, your current needs and assess whether it can be upgraded or expanded.
Does ZIKO take the plant’s actual water consumption into account?
Yes. When designing a solution we take into account the required capacity, consumption patterns and peaks, how the production works and the treated water requirements.
Does ZIKO provide service after the system is commissioned?
Yes. ZIKO provides warranty and post-warranty maintenance, scheduled service and technical support throughout the system’s operation.
Get an engineer’s consultation
Tell us about your production and water source — an engineer will tell you where to start. If you have a recent water analysis, attach it: the estimate will be more accurate.
Or call: +38 095 93 21 273
Where to go next
Technologies in the solution
- Combined treatment (MIX)
- Mechanical water filtration
- Water softening
- Ultrafiltration (UF)
- Iron and manganese removal
- Reverse osmosis (RO)
- Odor removal and sorption treatment
- Water disinfection
- Chemical dosing
Related industries
- Distilleries and spirits production
- Breweries
- Water and soft drink bottling