ABOUT THE CLIENT
DRINKING WATER FACILITY IN SWITZERLAND
The Bern Region Water Supply (WVRB) operates key drinking water infrastructure for 23 municipalities in the Bern region. At the Mannenberg site, a reservoir has been in place since 1906 (with expansions in 1913 and 1932), providing interim storage of water from the Emmental.
After more than 100 years of operation, the original reservoir had reached the end of its service life and a replacement project was initiated. Planning began in 2013, the building permit was granted in summer 2021, and the new Mannenberg Reservoir has been operational since September 2025.
The new structure was built above the old one to preserve the existing gravity-fed supply concept from the Aeschau groundwater source.
WHAT THE CLIENT NEEDED
CHEMICAL-FREE DISINFECTION WITH OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY
The Mannenberg Reservoir receives groundwater transported 33.5 km from the Aeschau source in the Emmental entirely by gravity.
While the water is naturally safe to drink, WVRB implemented preventive disinfection using UV irradiation as a chemical-free safeguarding step. The facility supplies drinking water, service (non-potable) water, and firefighting water, and has a total storage capacity of 30,000 m³ – equivalent to one day’s average consumption for approximately 135,000 people.
To ensure uninterrupted service, the reservoir was designed with two separate chambers, allowing for cleaning and maintenance without interrupting the supply.
THE SOLUTION
ENERGY-EFFICIENT UV DISINFECTION
In collaboration with Aqua Innovation, 3x MR8-350SSV validated UV systems were installed, featuring state-of-the-art low-pressure UV-C disinfection. The installation provides preventive disinfection for ~30,000 m³ of drinking water, service water, and firefighting water, with an emphasis on reliable and energy-efficient operation.
The UV systems are part of a broader operational concept that includes continuous water quality monitoring via sensors measuring turbidity, pH, conductivity, and temperature.
In combination with the reservoir’s redundant two-chamber layout and gravity-based hydraulics, the UV solution ensures a safe and stable water supply for the region.
