We have to look after Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, but we also have to increase the capacity of Stockholm's wastewater treatment – it is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the growing population in Stockholm.
We have to look after Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, but we also have to increase the capacity of Stockholm's wastewater treatment – it is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the growing population in Stockholm.
The membranes will be able to treat more wastewater over a smaller area, and the water will be cleaner than it is at present.
Membrane technology is a very efficient way of removing both nitrogen and phosphorus. We will also meet future environmental requirements for Stockholm's wastewater treatment by a decent margin, and so water quality in Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea will improve.
Another advantage of membranes is that they do not allow particles and particle-bound contaminants to pass through. This will make it possible in future to aftertreat and treat wastewater further to remove bacteria, viruses, microplastics and drug residues.
It will be possible to expand the Henriksdal treatment plant still further after 2040 by adding a larger membrane plant in order to cope with the estimated wastewater burden in Stockholm in a century's time – in 2115, that is.
Experiences from both Sweden and other countries indicate that treatment plants are increasingly turning into high-tech industries. Gathering operations together in a single location means that investments in personnel, equipment, operation and maintenance are more cost-effective. In turn, this provides great opportunities to adopt a more energy-smart, climate-smart approach.
The Henriksdal treatment plant is divided into what are known as separate lines that operate as multiple parallel treatment plants. This is why wastewater treatment works even if a couple of these lines are non-operational. The power supply comes from two sources, and an auxiliary power supply is available.