Buying an AQUATO plant directly

What this guide is about

With a direct purchase, you buy your biological treatment plant directly from Ektennsa GmbH in Germany, with no local distributor in between. This guide is intended for private customers. We support property developers, hotels and municipalities through the project enquiry, where the process is different.

While the South American market is being developed, this is the usual arrangement, because our network of local partners and distributors is only just being built. In this model you organise the local stages, in particular the import, the transport from the port and the preparation of the installation site.

Ektennsa provides the technology, the corresponding documentation and technical assistance within the scope set out in the offer. The binding terms are in our terms and conditions.

1. First enquiry

The process starts with your enquiry. To determine the right AQUATO solution, we need some basic information about the project:

• project location
• expected number of users
• how the home or facility is used
• estimated volume of wastewater
• whether there is an existing pit, holding tank or tank
• approximate characteristics of the site
• availability of electricity
• access conditions to the site

Where necessary, we will also ask you for photos, plans or measurements of the site.

2. Technical assessment

With that information we analyse the characteristics of the project and determine which AQUATO solution may be suitable.

Choosing the plant does not depend only on the number of people. The volume of wastewater, how the home is used, the site conditions and any existing tanks also matter. If any information is missing, we will ask you for it before preparing the offer.

3. Individual offer

Once the essentials are clear, you receive an individual written offer. Among other things, the offer states:

• AQUATO plant model
• components included
• main technical characteristics
• price and payment terms
• supply and transport terms
• estimated lead time
• services included
• services that are not included

The offer is the basis for placing the order later.

4. Accepting the offer

If you want to buy the plant, you accept the offer under the terms stated in it. This establishes the contractual basis. As a private buyer you have the statutory right of withdrawal; you receive the details together with the offer, and they are in our terms and conditions.

Before accepting, make sure you understand which services you must organise and take on locally. In a direct purchase without a local distributor or installer, that is the deciding point.

5. Payment

Once you have accepted the offer, you make the payment according to the terms set out in it. Preparation of the order begins once we have received the corresponding payment, unless another arrangement has been expressly agreed in the offer.

Any bank or international transfer charges on your side are borne by you, so that we receive the full agreed net amount. The bank details, with the important note about the correspondent bank, are in the legal notice.

6. Order confirmation

Once the payment has been received, we confirm the order in writing. The confirmation gives the final supply details and, where possible, an estimated date or period for when the plant will be available. Preparation begins from that point.

7. Preparing the plant in Germany

We coordinate the preparation of the plant and of the components included in the order. Depending on the AQUATO model and the characteristics of the project, the supply may include the treatment technology, the K-Pilot control system, pumps and other technical components.

The technical documentation and the instructions needed for receiving, installing and commissioning the plant are provided to you according to the scope of supply.

8. Pre-assembled delivery: PUMP and STABI-KOM

For a direct purchase, AQUATO PUMP and STABI-KOM have a decisive advantage: the technology is delivered already assembled and pre-installed in the tank.

This means you do not have to assemble the treatment technology. Once the tank has been correctly placed at the installation site and the planned external connections have been made, the electrical connection is made outside the tank, in line with the technical instructions.

With these solutions, the individual components of the AQUATO technology do not need to be assembled on site. That simplicity is precisely one of the advantages for projects in places where there is not yet a local distributor or installer.

9. International transport

Once the plant is ready, international transport is organised in line with the terms set out in the offer. Where sea freight is planned, the plant is shipped from Germany to the agreed port of destination.

Transit time can vary depending on the route, available space, port operations, shipping line conditions and other circumstances of international transport.

10. Arrival at the port of destination

When the plant arrives at the port of destination, you take charge of the procedures that apply in your country, unless something else has been expressly agreed. In particular, you organise the import and customs clearance formalities, either directly or through an agent or specialist company.

11. Import and customs clearance

You are responsible for complying with the import rules and requirements that apply in your country. This may include:

• import documentation
• customs clearance
• import duties
• VAT, IGV or other local taxes
• port charges
• storage costs
• customs broker fees

As every country in South America has its own rules and procedures, we recommend checking these points before placing the order. We provide the commercial and shipping documents for the consignment within the agreed scope.

12. From the port to the installation site

Once the goods have been released, you organise transport from the port to the installation site, unless that service is expressly included in the offer. Before organising it, check:

• whether the vehicle is suitable for the dimensions and weight of the plant
• whether there is suitable access to the site
• whether the vehicle can reach the intended location
• whether you have the equipment needed to unload and place the tank

You organise the crane or any special unloading equipment, unless expressly agreed otherwise. We give you the dimensions and weight of your plant in good time.

13. Preparing the installation site

Before the plant arrives, the installation site must be prepared in line with the technical specifications. Depending on the project, this may include:

• excavation
• preparing and levelling the ground
• preparing the bed or base
• inlet and outlet system
• hydraulic connections
• electrical connection

With PUMP and STABI-KOM, the technology already comes fitted in the tank, so you do not carry out the internal assembly of the AQUATO components. The specific conditions are given in the technical documentation for the model supplied.

14. Placement and installation

In a direct purchase without a local distributor or installer, you hire the people or companies who will carry out the work on site.

With PUMP and STABI-KOM, installing the AQUATO technology is especially simple, because the system is delivered pre-assembled: once the tank is correctly placed and the planned external connections are made, you only need to follow the technical instructions supplied.

15. K-Pilot control system

If the model supplied includes the K-Pilot system, you follow the corresponding instructions for connecting it and putting it into service.

Our technical team in Berlin can support you through this process if needed and advise you on setup and programming. This assistance is provided remotely, unless another type of service has been expressly agreed.

16. Commissioning

Once the plant has been correctly placed and the conditions it needs to operate are in place, it can be commissioned. Before that, make sure that:

• the installation is correctly prepared
• the necessary connections have been made
• there is a power supply
• the hydraulic conditions are as planned
• the technical instructions have been followed

With PUMP and STABI-KOM, the technology is already fitted in the tank, which makes commissioning considerably simpler.

17. Technical assistance from Berlin

Our technical team in Berlin is available for technical assistance and guidance during installation and commissioning, within the scope and for the period set for each project.

Among other things, this assistance draws on the experience gained over about 15 years of observing, applying and working with the technology of AQUATO plants.

It does not mean that Ektennsa carries out work directly, nor that it takes on obligations that belong to you or to the professionals and companies you hire locally. It is provided mainly remotely, using the available means of communication.

18. After commissioning

Once the plant is installed and running, you have the technical documentation and the corresponding instructions for using and maintaining it.

Maintenance and operation follow the instructions provided. You carry out the routine checks yourself according to the protocol, and you receive spare parts from Germany through Ektennsa. Our team is available to help with this too.

If you have technical questions during operation, you can contact Ektennsa Berlin within the scope of assistance set for the project.

Still have questions about your project? Tell us about it in the consultation request, and we will reply within two working days.