Netherlands sewage treatment plant to incorporate innovative energy, space-saving features

Dec. 19, 2011
Rijn & IJssel Water Board is replacing an outdated sewage treatment plant in the Dutch town of Dinxperlo with a new one that will use the innovative energy and space saving Nereda® technology...
An artist impression of the new sewage treatment plant and water garden. Photo: © Rijn and IJssel Water Board.

DINXPERLO, Netherlands, Dec. 19, 2011 -- Rijn & IJssel Water Board is replacing an outdated sewage treatment plant in the Dutch town of Dinxperlo by a new one, which will use the innovative energy and space saving Nereda® technology. The contract for the replacement has been awarded to engineering and consultancy firm DHV. The contract represents a value of approximately 8 million euro. Construction of the plant will be integrated in the Brüggenhütte plan in which the water board and municipality of Aalten are jointly turning a former waste disposal site into a public water garden and green area.

State-of-the art technology for efficient treatment
The new technology greatly enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of wastewater treatment and requires a far smaller footprint. "This combination is why we chose this innovative method," said Philip Schyns, project leader at Rijn & IJssel Water Board. "Besides needing less space, this technology will enable us to save energy and costs in the longer term. These advantages have knock-on benefits for efficiency and the environment." The strength of the Nereda technology lies in special bacteria that grow in concentrated and fast settling granules. Conventional methods of treating wastewater use bacteria in fluffy flakes, which take much more time to separate from the treated water.

Water garden
The water board attaches importance to corporate social responsibility, efficiency (particularly energy efficiency), sustainability and cooperation. There is close collaboration between the water board and Aalten municipality to create an attractive area in tandem with construction of the new treatment plant. The Nereda-treated wastewater is going to flow into attractive parcels of water and reeds through a public water garden.

National Nereda Research Program
DHV board member Piet van Helvoort states: "Internationally this technology is regarded as a breakthrough in wastewater treatment and the expectation is that the technology will become the new global standard." Through the National Nereda Research Program (NNOP) Dutch water boards are closely involved in the ongoing development of this invention by the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). NNOP is a joint venture of STOWA (the joint water boards' Foundation for Applied Water Research), TU Delft, DHV and five more water boards. Its development is being supported financially by various national and European subsidy schemes including the water technology program of NL Agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. DHV is pleased that Dutch water boards are opting for this home-grown innovation. "There is rapidly increasing interest in this Dutch technology and it is an innovation that can become an important export product," according to Van Helvoort. "In other countries it is imperative to have full-scale references in your home country."

###

Sponsored Recommendations

WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track

Automated Fresh Water Treatment

March 15, 2024
SCADA, Automation and Control for Efficient and Compliant Operations

Digital Transformation Enables Smart Water

March 15, 2024
During this webinar we will discuss factors driving the transformation to digital water, water industry trends, followed by a summary of solutions (products & services) available...

Smart Water Solutions: Transforming the Water Universe

March 15, 2024
Water is our most valuable resource, and efficient and effective water and wastewater handling is crucial for municipalities. As industry experts, you face a number of challenges...