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The new sewage treatment plant (RWZI) in Weert, built according to the Verdygo concept and equipped with Nereda technology, has been completed. It was completed within agreed time and budget to meet the most stringent discharge requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Verdygo, an innovation of Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg, is a revolutionary, sustainable and modular construction and design technique for WWTPs. Dans thanks to the application of the more energy-efficient Nereda technology - a product of Royal HaskoningDHV -can meet the tightened requirements of the WFD in a more energy-efficient manner compared to traditional treatment methods.
The Verdygo concept was previously partially introduced at several WWTP locations in Limburg, including Roermond, Simpelveld, Wijlre and Hoensbroek. With the introduction of Verdygo in Weert, an almost complete RWZI in 'Verdygo style' has been realized. In 2021, the concept will be introduced at the Panheel and Stein WWTPs.
Whereas the construction time for a traditional sewage treatment plant of this size takes about 2 years, the brand new Verdygo plant was built in just 11 months; the result of intensive and successful cooperation between Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg and its construction partners - the combination Mobilis and Croonwolter&Dros, partner Tauw, RWB and Royal HaskoningDHV. "At the end of November 2018, we started the groundwork in Weert for the new biological treatment plant in accordance with the Nereda process," said Arnold Jansen, whose portfolio includes Verdygo as daily board member of Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg. "After months of hard work, there is a new treatment plant that we can be proud of." A few weeks ago, the new biological Nereda treatment plant was started up in the presence of Royal Haskoning DHV. Initially, the water from the Nereda plant was post-purified at the old treatment plant. The purification process is now well underway and the performance is satisfactory. The new plant has therefore been disconnected from the old plant and now discharges directly into the Zuid Willemsvaart canal.
With the introduction of Verdygo, Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg has reinvented wastewater treatment, so to speak. Unlike traditional construction methods with buried basins, Verdygo consists of above-ground tanks and individual modules the size of standard containers, which are connected together. The modules can be easily replaced via "plug and play" and scaling up and down as required. This modular design allows Verdygo to respond flexibly to climate change, demographic developments and innovations in water treatment. As a result, Verdygo can also provide significant added value, for example, in developing countries that are either facing strong population growth or local treatment problems. Verdygo's possibilities are literally and figuratively limitless.
Incidentally, the modular design also fits seamlessly with the objective of Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg to be circular by 2030. A pump or compressor is no longer cast in concrete, as in traditional installations, but is a flexible part of the installation. If a part breaks down, needs maintenance or there is a better alternative, the part in question can be quickly replaced. Modules can be easily transported on a truck and (after any maintenance or repair) plugged in or stored elsewhere. Where the old, concrete-cast installations are demolished, the Verdygo modules simply get a new use. Besides contributing to the sustainability goals of Waterschapsbedrijf Limburg, the organization also sees the circular approach as an opportunity to eventually (after 2030) be able to run its business operations cost-neutrally, thus reducing the burden on citizens and businesses. In the coming years, WBL wants to develop from "organization with the lowest treatment charge" to "circular frontrunner.
Thanks to the use of energy-efficient Nereda treatment technology, the more stringent requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) can be met in a more energy-efficient manner. To make the Weert WWTP even more sustainable, a new combined heat and power (CHP) plant has been installed here, which converts the biogas produced into electricity and heat at a higher efficiency.
Remarkably, by building above ground, modular and standardized, the annual net cost of construction, maintenance and operation(Total Cost of Ownership) is over 20% lower than traditionally built WWTPs. Design and construction time is reduced by approximately 60% compared to traditional construction.
