ON-SITE: Small-scale wastewater treatment systems (2019-2022)

- governance, efficiency, resources recovery, environment contamination risks and innovative solutions for processes optimization

In this project on-site sanitation systems are investigated with respect to treatment efficiency, environmental effects and sustainability. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Norrbotten County Council (Region Norrbotten).

Small-scale wastewater treatment systems treat wastewater to reduce the content of organics, pathogens and nutrients. However, the treatment capacity is insufficient in many cases. In this project, we investigate the treatment capacity of small-scale facilities that are subject to high fluctuations in load, e.g. at tourist centres, by sampling of facilities in Sweden and Finland. The environmental effects caused by small wastewater treatment units is assessed by monitoring the quality of the downstream soil and natural waters. To optimise treatment efficiency bioaugmentation can be used which is a technology using microorganisms for enhancing the reduction of certain pollutants in the treatment process, e.g. micro pollutants, nitrogen or phosphorus. Bioaugmentation is tested in laboratory scale for application in small wastewater treatment units.

In Sweden, Finland and Norway regulations around on-site wastewater systems are partly similar but there are also substantial differences. The strategies of the three countries regarding permits, inspection and supervision are described and compared. Within the ON-SITE project innovative solutions for recovery of resources are discussed focusing on energy and nutrients as well as a potential re-circulation of nutrients within the Nordic regions. The project is a collaboration of different stakeholders sharing experiences and knowledge between the Nordic countries.

The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Norrbotten County Council (Region Norrbotten). The project partners are LTU, University of Oulu and Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE).

Inga Herrmann, Annelie Hedström, Rasmus Klapp and Brenda Vidal