How can one of the biggest wastewater treatment plants in the Balkans control its impact on the environment whilst reducing its energy consumption?
Solution
Add an advanced pollution removal technique to improve water quality and install a cogenerator to produce energy from biogas which comes from sewage sludge.
The benefit
The plant now has one of the biggest cogeneration units in the Bulgarian water sector. Its production covers almost 90% of its own energetic needs, thus reducing its electricity bill and the volume of its methane and CO2 emissions. In addition, a new step in the treatment of used water which was introduced in June 2011, has enabled the elimination of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater prior to discharge, thus protecting biodiversity in the river Iskar, tributary to the Black Sea. Enough advantages enabling the city of Sofia to become a true "green city".
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