Solving European’s Wastewater Woes

Like so much of Europe’s infrastructure, our wastewater infrastructure is aging and inadequate. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), ‘Across the whole EU, about 90% of urban waste waters are collected and treated in accordance with the EU Waste Water Treatment Directive.’ This means with the constant addition of new users, billions of Euro’s will be needed in upgrades and repairs to meet current and future demands.

What is wastewater? It’s the “used” water from homes and businesses. It comes from showers, toilets, dishwashers and washing machines. It also comes from farms (for example, the water used to wash farm equipment), power and industrial plants (which require significant amounts of water for cooling and other processes) and other commercial enterprises. Storm runoff, which is typically laden with contaminants, is considered wastewater, too. 

Urban waste water needs to be treated adequately because it may contain bacteria, viruses, nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants which can pose a risk to the environment and human health.

The EU Urban Waste Water Directive sets out a time plan for the construction of infrastructure for collecting and treating waste water in urban areas. In general, waste water must be subject to biological treatment (“secondary treatment”), which removes a very high proportion of organic pollution, bacteria and viruses. To reduce the risk of algal blooms, further removal of nitrogen and/or phosphorus is required in larger urban areas that are connected to sensitive water bodies.

Currently, the funding available to add or upgrade sanitary sewers and water treatment plants falls far short of what’s needed.

On the positive side, some countries, municipalities and individual property owners are making efforts to decrease the load on wastewater infrastructure. Green stormwater infrastructure leverages rain gardens, green roofs and permeable pavement to mimic the natural water cycle. Several countries are also making serious efforts to recycle wastewater, even using it for drinking.