There is a big gap in establishment of small wastewater treatment plants in rural areas in Central and Eastern Europe. Numerous locations are going to be equipped with small wastewater treatment systems in the future. The selected treatment technology as well as the scale of wastewater collection (decentralized or centralized) are key factors affecting nutrient and water management. In Slovenia treatment wetlands have already been recognized as sustainable solution for small wastewater treatment systems. Moreover, compact systems for wastewater separation and reuse have been studied as well as zero-discharge evapotranspirative systems. The case study Slovenia can contribute to change the water paradigm towards innovative and resource recovery oriented wastewater treatment systems.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 5101419Due to Slovenia’s demographic characteristics and the large number of scattered settlement decentralized wastewater treatment plants are being implemented. Among available treatment technologies treatment wetlands (TW) are often used. Today there are around 150 systems in operation, mostly horizontal flow (HF); however, in last three years vertical flow (VF) TW are preferred due to high efficiency, the nitrification capacity and the lower footprint compared to HF. Recently 55 single stage VF TW were installed serving from 3 to 15 PE and a footprint of 1.5 m2 / PE. Since 2013 performance of selected VF systems is being monitored by means of hydraulic loads, hydraulic retention time, and analyses of physical and chemical parameters at inlet and outlet following Standard methods. The average results show effluent concentration of (AVG±SD mg/l) 35.7±19.2 for COD, 7.6±5.6 for BOD5, 16.7±3.9 for TSS, 76.8±26.6 for TN and 9.6±0.5 for TP. The results of the performance efficiency and loading rates were evaluated and compared with comparable TW, constructed in Denmark. The comparison suggests that both the area and depth stated by the Danish national guidelines (3 m2/PE and 1 m deep) might be larger than the actual surface and depth needed to meet the removal of COD required by the Slovenian legislation updated in 2015.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 5113195Wastewater collection and treatment in small settlements of the Danube region and Central and Eastern Europe is mainly lacking and presents a large loading of pollutants to surface and groundwater bodies. SANDANUBE project enables initial funding for preparation of the integrated project that will present implementation of sustainable solutions for wastewater management in small settlements, integrate appropriate partners and stakeholders from different sectors and support the development of needed national legislations in project countries. In the framework of SANDANUBE project an overview and analyses of suitable partners and co-funders, legislation overview and workshop with a study visit were carried out and a project proposal was prepared.
D.06 Final report on a foreign/international project