Brno Waterworks and Sewerage Company (BVK), a collaboration between the City of Brno and SUEZ, where SUEZ holds a 46% share, has commenced the construction of a new sludge treatment line at the Brno – Modřice wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
This facility, owned and managed by BVK, caters to over 400,000 residents in Brno and its neighboring areas, processing 35 million m³ of wastewater annually.
The project encompasses the development of new structures and technologies for the entire sludge treatment process, including thickening, anaerobic digestion, dewatering, and drying.
This upgraded treatment method will optimize the energy potential of the sludge to generate biogas, which will be transformed into heat and electricity, fulfilling 65% of the plant’s energy requirements. Additionally, solar panels will be installed to supply 5% of the plant’s energy needs.
To enhance sludge recovery from wastewater treatment, a new drying technique will be introduced, significantly decreasing its volume by up to 60%. The processed sludge will be repurposed for energy production in cement manufacturing by local industries. Treating the sludge on-site will also reduce the number of truck trips needed for transportation by 60%.
The overall project cost is €140 million (CZK 3.5 billion). Financing is secured through long-term loans from the European Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and Komerční banka a.s., along with a subsidy from the State Fund for Environmental Protection and SUEZ.
Paul Bourdillon, CEO for Europe and Central Asia at SUEZ, remarked: “We are thrilled to have laid the foundation stone for this new sludge treatment line at the Brno – Modřice wastewater treatment plant. SUEZ has been active in Brno for over 30 years, and this initiative reflects the strong partnership we have developed with the city. With exceptional operational efficiency, particularly in network performance and customer satisfaction, BVK stands as a leading entity in water management in the Czech Republic. This collaboration exemplifies SUEZ’s commitment to helping its clients maximize value throughout the lifecycle of their assets.”
Source :SUEZ
