PURE – Project on Urban Reduction of Eutrophication

The main goal of the project is to implement concrete, voluntary actions that will reduce the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea.

PURE supports selected waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) around the BSR to reach phosphorous content of 0,5 mg/l in outgoing municipal wastewaters with the means of chemical phosphorus removal. This method has been identified as one of the most cost-efficient ways to reduce the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. Further, the phosphorus content of 0,5 mg/l is the level recommended by the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and it is half of the concentration stipulated by EU Waste Water Treatment Directive. PURE-project also contributes directly to the implementation of the EU BSR strategy, as one the flagship projects of the strategy addresses cleaner waste waters.

Project implements low-cost and high-impact joint investment at WWTPs. This results in a measurable outcome regarding the phosphorus discharges from municipal waste waters to the Baltic Sea. Further, as the chemical phosphorous removal increases slightly the amount of sludge, the project will also map existing good practices and develop solutions for sustainable sludge handling and phosphorus recycling.

Project builds on the successful work of the John Nurminen Foundation´s Clean Baltic Sea –project in St. Petersburg. Together with 9 city-partners and their municipal waste water treatment plants UBC EnvCom, John Nurminen Foundation and HELCOM will implement the project until the end of 2012.

Outputs and results:

• annual reduction of 300-500 tons of phosphorus via investments in Riga, Jurmala and Brest
• technical audit reports and investment plans for each of the partner WWTPs
• book of good practices in phosphorus removal and sustainable sludge handling at municipal wastewater treatment plants
• user friendly database on urban nutrient inputs and waste water treatment in the BSR -for municipalities, WWTPs, investors and other relevant stakeholders

The eleven PURE -partners are:
UBC EnvCom (Lead partner), John Nurminen Foundation (investment coordinator), HELCOM, Riga water, Jurmala water, Brest Vodokanal, Szczecin Water company, Kohtla-Järve water company, Luebeck Sewage Management, cities of Gdansk and Mariehamn.

The project is part financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund and European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument).

For more information, please see: http://www.purebalticsea.eu

Last updated 18 January 2010