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LIFE RusaLCA - Nanoremediation and reuse of water and solid remains
Published on 19 May 2020
Slovenia
Vzhodna Slovenija
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About this good practice
The development and construction of a prototype waste water treatment system in Šentrupert, Slovenia enabled reuse of treated water for secondary purposes in households and for common public needs.
Large-scale communal wastewater cleaning devices, with extensive drainage networks and expensive pumping-stations, are, in the case of small settlements, particularly those which are thinly spread out, financially unfeasible. In such areas a sustainable option is the construction of small-scale wastewater treatment plants, which need to be of the kind which treats water as a renewable resource.
This can be done as follows: Water originating from small, biologically-based treatment plant is not released into surface water channels, but is additionally cleaned by means of an innovative technology which makes use of nanoparticles of zero-valent iron. By means of this process water was made available for households and common purposes. This water was brought to local users by means of a reverse loop. Although it satisfies the requirements for drinking water, the water is used for the watering of gardens and similar areas, for the washing of cars, as water for the needs of fire-fighters, and for similar purposes. Another important objective of the project was to use the organic sludge from SWTP, and the sediment from nanoremediation tank, in different types of construction composites.
Large-scale communal wastewater cleaning devices, with extensive drainage networks and expensive pumping-stations, are, in the case of small settlements, particularly those which are thinly spread out, financially unfeasible. In such areas a sustainable option is the construction of small-scale wastewater treatment plants, which need to be of the kind which treats water as a renewable resource.
This can be done as follows: Water originating from small, biologically-based treatment plant is not released into surface water channels, but is additionally cleaned by means of an innovative technology which makes use of nanoparticles of zero-valent iron. By means of this process water was made available for households and common purposes. This water was brought to local users by means of a reverse loop. Although it satisfies the requirements for drinking water, the water is used for the watering of gardens and similar areas, for the washing of cars, as water for the needs of fire-fighters, and for similar purposes. Another important objective of the project was to use the organic sludge from SWTP, and the sediment from nanoremediation tank, in different types of construction composites.
Resources needed
Planned justified costs of the project: 852.388 EUR, co-financing by the European Comission (the LIFE+ program) 50%.
Evidence of success
The development and construction of a prototype waste water treatment system in Šentrupert, Slovenia enabled reuse of treated water in the householeds and public needs. It was achieved up to 30 % reduction of drinking water consumption in Šentrupert. The sludge was during project used as a resource for the production of geotechnical composites, whereas the sediment was used in cementitious composites in the local business.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project also aimed at the dissemination of knowledge and good practice among the technical and lay public. A fully-operative pilot system using a reverse loop is, together with the establishment of a system for the management of zero-waste water, a good example for other thinly-settled areas, as well as for settlements in areas that have similar geographic and climatic characteristics as it is the case of Slovenia.
The project demonstrates an active approach towards the development, at both the local and the regional level, of a water-efficient and water-saving society. This approach can be used anywhere in Europe the local conditions have similar characteristics.
The project demonstrates an active approach towards the development, at both the local and the regional level, of a water-efficient and water-saving society. This approach can be used anywhere in Europe the local conditions have similar characteristics.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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Organisation
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
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