Synthesis analysis on wastewater and eutrophication

In recent years, a wealth of innovative technologies to recover and reuse water, energy, nutrients, and carbon found in wastewater streams have been researched and developed. However, public and private actors – who are at the heart of transformation towards comprehensive resource recovery from wastewater streams – rarely have the time and resources to keep track of the multitude of recent research outputs and practical experiences. Moreover, research and findings and their practical relevance are rapidly growing and often scattered across multiple sources and stakeholders. This project seeks to leverage the capacity of decision makers in policy and practice by supporting them to navigate the messy and ever-growing knowledge on recovery and reuse of resources in wastewater streams. We will use grey literature, statistics, experience from project members, reference group and advisory board to describe the current situation and forecast future needs on resource recovery from different wastewater streams. Risks and benefits associated with techniques and products from resource recovery will be described. Further, a guidance on how to maneuver the complex landscape of risk- and benefits of recovered resources will be provided. This project will help to develop a shared vision among key actors in Sweden, such as authorities, to achieve comprehensive and sustainable resource recovery from different wastewater streams as party in reaching the goals of a sustainable and circular economy.

Christian Baresel

2 990 325 SEK

Assessment of the eutrophication status in the Gulf of Bothnia is difficult due to limited knowledge of the nutrient conditions and the phytoplankton responses to changes in the environment. Historically, phosphorus has been pointed out as the limiting nutrient in large parts of the Gulf of Bothnia. Recent data indicate elevated phosphorus concentrations, and that nitrogen limitation increases. Application of the present EU WFD system often provides contrasting status classification in the Gulf of Bothnia. Thus, there is a great need to investigate how the nutrient concentrations vary over time and space and how the phytoplankton composition changes with varying environmental conditions. The major objectives of the project are to elucidate the nutrient dynamics and effects of anthropogenic activity on limiting nutrient and eutrophication in the Gulf of Bothnia. Specifically, we address the following questions: What nutrient is limiting primary production in the Gulf of Bothnia? – Spatial and temporal variation How to best assess eutrophication in the Gulf of Bothnia? How does reduction of nutrient load affect nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry in coastal areas? How does nutrient exchange between the Baltic Proper and the Bothnian Sea, and between the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay affect the nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry? We approach the questions by analyzing information in published reports and scientific papers, and by compiling data from monitoring and recipient control programs (SRK). We will also include data from various research projects in the syntheses. The project will be performed in close collaboration with Kustgrupp Nord, representing all County Administrative Boards along the Gulf of Bothnia. Expected outcomes of the project are compiled matrixes of relevant data, written scientific articles and recommendations to authorities. The results will be usable to achieve efficient marine management.

Agneta Andersson

2 999 970 SEK

Natural sand and gravel is the standard filter material for wastewater soil treatment systems in Sweden, however, it is a limited resource and also important for municipal water supply. There are currently no clear alternative materials for natural sand and gravel. This project will conduct a systematic literature review and summary analysis aimed at identifying functional and long-term sustainable filter materials for soil-based water treatment. These materials can potentially replace the current use of sand and natural gravel, which constitutes a finite resource. Project work includes screening of potential alternative filter materials and in-depth studies of the 6-8 materials considered to be most promising. The materials are evaluated according to treatment efficiency and related mechanisms, physical properties, inherent risks and socio-economic as well as environmental sustainability. Quantitative data and qualitative information are collected and evaluated against predetermined criteria within the framework of a Multi Criterial Analysis. The product becomes a condensed synthesis that ranks alternative filter materials based on sustainability and practical usability. The results of the project are communicated in a Swedish report with a popular science and policy advisory focus as well as a peer-reviewed scientific review paper in English. To further disseminate and anchor the results of the project, an open final seminar is organized to discuss results and conclusions. The entire work is based on review of existing literature and already developed evaluation methodology as well as the existing knowledge and experience available from experts in industry, authorities, academia and institutes. In order to ensure that both the work and the final results are of high relevance and become directly useful in development of policy and industry standards, there is a continuous exchange of knowledge with authorities and other stakeholders during the project.

Erik Sindhöj

2 999 579 SEK

Reuse of treated domestic wastewater is of increasing interest and is a key part of the transition to a circular economy. Municipal effluent wastewater and source-separated wastewater fractions, i.e., greywater and blackwater, allow recycling of water and nutrients. Yet, such practice varies within Sweden and across countries. The influencing factors behind remain unclear but are crucial to authorities of water management in evaluating the need and suitability of wastewater reuse. Without efficient treatment, hazardous pollutants in wastewaters may jeopardize the water quality and be obstacles to a safe reuse. With a multidisciplinary project team, REASSURE aims to advance our knowledge on the potentiality and sustainability of using treated domestic wastewater as a resource in Sweden and abroad. Specific objectives include to (a) determine factors that differ the reuse of wastewater and its by-product sludge across regions and countries; (b) characterise the current state of wastewater reuse in Sweden and the occurrence of hazardous pollutants as obstacles to the reuse; (c)evaluate the possibility of advanced techniques for removal of hazardous pollutants for a better quality of wastewater; and (d) assess the environmental and human health risks of hazardous pollutants in wastewater reuse and provide decision and policy support. Various datasets will be compiled through literature reviews and analysed using statistical approaches for (semi-)quantitative and qualitative results. Discussions, conclusions and recommendations will be summarised in syntheses reports. These will be useful for policy makers to issue guidelines and/or policy briefs for sustainable wastewater management and recycling. Our work aligns with several (inter)national objectives/goals, e.g., Sweden’s environmental quality objectives and United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (#6 and #12), aiming at assuring safe water reuse, clean water for all, and anon-toxic environment.

Foon Yin Lai

2 728 035 SEK