Stormwater treatment with compact treatment facilities (2022-2023)

Untreated urban discharges affect receiving water bodies. Thus, stormwater treatment facilities are increasingly installed.

However, implementation in dense urban areas remains challenging due to lack of scientific evidence of the function of “compact” treatment facilities, lack of space and competing land use requirements. This is a threat for the environment since dense urban areas often contribute with considerable emissions and quality treatment in such areas is often lacking.

This project explores the need for further research and practical experience. Therefore, workshops will be organized to understand the need for stormwater treatment in central areas and the main challenges for stakeholders. The state of the art and research needs will be identified in a scientific literature study. In addition, a pilot facility (EcoVault) in central Sundsvall will be investigated and a system analysis will be carried out covering both technical-environmental and sustainability/socio-economic aspects.

The project will result in a needs analysis and based thereon, co-developed proposals for funding of research and innovation projects. This will enable research and innovation projects targeting implementation of stormwater treatment in dense, existing urban areas. Thus, it contributes to achieving inter alia SDG 6, 9, 11, several Swedish Environmental Quality Criteria and the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.

The project is funded by Formas, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency as well as MSVA and carried out in collaboration with MittSverige Vatten & Avfall (MSVA) in Sundsvall.