Desalination plant at Jumeirah Bali using Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) for sustainable water treatment.

Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant: AFM and SWRO

Introduction

Luxury coastal resorts must manage water supply carefully. At Jumeirah Bali, the resort installed a desalination plant combining Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) to ensure sustainable, high-quality water for its operations. According to the group, it features one of the region’s most advanced desalination solutions to avoid stressing Bali’s fragile freshwater resources (Jumeirah).


Challenges Faced by Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant

Resort-scale seawater desalination comes with several obstacles:

  • High turbidity and suspended solids in seawater intake
  • Need for robust pre-treatment to protect SWRO membranes
  • Maintaining cost efficiency (OPEX, CAPEX) for long-term operations
  • Environmental considerations like brine discharge and energy demand (ScienceDirect)

Technical Solution: AFM Filtration and SWRO in Industrial Desalination Systems

AFM Filtration in Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant

  • Seawater intake filtered through AFM Grades 1–3.
  • AFM effectively reduced colloidal matter, suspended solids, and organic load.
  • Research shows AFM can outperform sand filters in reducing turbidity and SDI (ResearchGate).

👉 Learn more about our Water Treatment Supply solutions.

SWRO System for Seawater Desalination

  • Post AFM, seawater processed through SWRO membranes.
  • Reduced turbidity and lower SDI safeguarded RO performance.
  • External studies note that SWRO is effective but requires careful energy optimization and brine management (Frontiers in Water).

👉 See our Reverse Osmosis Membrane product page.


Performance Results of Jumeirah Bali Industrial Desalination System

The desalination plant achieved:

  • Turbidity: reduced from 3–4 NTU → 0.2 NTU
  • SDI: lowered from 5–6 → <3
  • Suspended solids: reduced from 10–12 mg/L → <2 mg/L
  • Capacity: 400 CMD (2021) and 300 CMD (2023)

These results highlight how AFM filtration + SWRO desalination produced stable, cost-efficient operations at Jumeirah Bali.


Sustainability and Benefits of Seawater Desalination at Jumeirah Bali

  • Long-term OPEX and CAPEX savings
  • Stable performance of industrial desalination systems
  • Reduction in freshwater dependency in Pecatu, Bali
  • Alignment with global resort sustainability standards (Destinasian)

👉 Explore our expertise in Seawater Treatment and Desalination Technologies.


Conclusion: Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant as a Model for Resorts

The Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant proves how industrial desalination systems combining AFM pre-filtration and SWRO technology can ensure clean, reliable, and sustainable water supply for luxury hospitality. By addressing turbidity, SDI, and suspended solids, this project demonstrates best practices for future resort-scale desalination projects in Southeast Asia.


❓ FAQ About Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant

1. What is the Jumeirah Bali Desalination Plant?
It is a seawater treatment facility at Jumeirah Bali that uses Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) to produce clean, sustainable water for resort operations.

2. Why does Jumeirah Bali need a desalination plant?
The resort is located in Pecatu, Bali, where freshwater resources are limited. Desalination reduces dependency on local water supplies and ensures sustainability.

3. How does AFM improve desalination at Jumeirah Bali?
AFM filtration removes turbidity, colloids, and suspended solids, lowering the SDI index. This extends the lifespan of SWRO membranes and reduces operational costs.

4. What are the results of the desalination system?
The system reduced turbidity from 3–4 NTU to 0.2 NTU, suspended solids from 10–12 mg/L to <2 mg/L, and stabilized SDI below 3.

5. Is seawater desalination sustainable for resorts?
Yes, when paired with technologies like AFM and energy-optimized SWRO, desalination provides resorts with reliable water while reducing environmental impact.

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Industrial desalination system at St. Regis Bali using Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO).

Industrial Desalination Systems at St. Regis Bali

Why Industrial Desalination Systems Matter in Hospitality

As water demand increases in the hospitality industry, ensuring a reliable and efficient clean water supply becomes essential. Industrial desalination systems are now key for hotels and resorts located in coastal areas. This case study presents how St. Regis Bali implemented a robust desalination solution combining Activated Filter Media (AFM) and Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO).


Problems Before Implementing Industrial Desalination Systems

St. Regis faced several operational challenges prior to upgrading its system:

  • High frequency of RO membrane cleaning.
  • Frequent cartridge filter replacement.
  • Elevated turbidity levels.
  • High suspended solids in raw seawater.

These issues increased operational costs and reduced efficiency, threatening consistent water quality for hotel operationsCase study GLS in St. Regis.


Technical Solution: AFM Filtration and SWRO Desalination

To address these challenges, the industrial desalination system was designed with two main steps:

AFM Filtration in Industrial Desalination Systems

  • Seawater intake was filtered through AFM Grades 0, 1, 2, and 3.
  • AFM effectively trapped suspended solids and organic matter.
  • Regular backwash cycles removed impurities, keeping the media efficient.
  • Research confirms that AFM outperforms traditional sand filters in reducing suspended solids and turbidity (ResearchGate).

👉 Learn more about our Water Treatment Supply services for industrial applications.

SWRO for Seawater Desalination

  • After AFM pre-treatment, seawater was processed through SWRO membranes.
  • With reduced turbidity and lower SDI, the RO membranes lasted longer and performed optimally.
  • While SWRO is effective, it also faces environmental challenges such as brine disposal and energy use (ScienceDirect).

👉 See our Reverse Osmosis Membrane options for seawater and brackish water systems.


Results of the Industrial Desalination System at St. Regis

The installation delivered significant improvements:

  • Turbidity reduced from 2–3 NTU to <0.1 NTU.
  • SDI dropped from 4–5 to <3, protecting membranes.
  • Suspended solids decreased from 5–8 mg/L to <1 mg/L.
  • Clearer water quality, fewer cleanings, and reduced operating costsCase study GLS in St. Regis.

Capacity and Application of Seawater Desalination

  • Location: St. Regis, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
  • Year: 2022
  • Raw Water Source: Seawater
  • System Capacity: 450 CMD
  • Targeted Removal: Organic matter, suspended solids, turbidity

For similar projects, explore our expertise in Seawater Treatment and Desalination Technologies designed for resorts, industries, and municipalities.


Future of Industrial Desalination Systems

As desalination demand grows, energy efficiency remains critical. Research shows that hybrid desalination systems, such as combining SWRO with Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO), can significantly reduce energy use (Frontiers in Water).


Conclusion

The St. Regis project proves how combining AFM filtration and SWRO desalination creates a sustainable and cost-effective water treatment solution. By lowering turbidity, extending membrane life, and reducing maintenance, this industrial desalination system ensures a reliable water supply that supports operational excellence in luxury hospitality.

Industrial desalination systems like this are vital for regions where seawater is the primary resource, offering both performance and sustainability.

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Middle Eastern Hospitality in Bali supported by resort desalination systems

Middle Eastern Hospitality in the Heart of Bali

Middle Eastern Hospitality in the Heart of Bali: Jumeirah Villas SWRO Project

Middle Eastern Hospitality in the Heart of Bali is more than luxury living—it is a showcase of sustainable innovation. When Jumeirah Villas Bali partnered with Gapura Liqua Solutions (GLS), the goal was clear: secure a sustainable seawater desalination system that supports 140 cliffside villas overlooking Jimbaran Bay without overburdening Bali’s limited freshwater sources.

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