Share article
Please fill out all the fields marked with an asterisk * and then click on "Send form".
The largest sewage treatment plant in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern celebrated its birthday on 09 September. EURAWASSER had handed over the extended sewage treatment plant to the Warnow Water and Wastewater Association (WWAV) 20 years before on the exact same day – enabling Rostock to treat wastewater properly for the very first time in its history. Today, the sewage treatment plant provides a reliable service treating the wastewater generated by those living and working in Rostock as well as from 12 neighbouring districts. The Warnow Water and Wastewater Association and EURAWASSER organised an event to celebrate this occasion which included a book launch and an Open Day for all those interested.
History was made when the central sewage treatment plant opened in Rostock – the city was able to treat its wastewater properly for the very first time
“Everyone expects to be able to discharge their used water into the sewer system – they simply take it for granted. Very few of them realise, however, just what a complex process it is to treat their wastewater,” commented Ines Gründel, chairwoman of the Warnow Water and Wastewater Association. Situated in Bramow an der Unterwarnow, just a few kilometres from the Baltic Sea, the sewage treatment plant has to be extremely careful about the way it cleans the water. To be able to fulfil its responsibilities, the plant was extended and commissioned in September 1996.
EURAWASSER rebuilt the old sewage treatment plant with its single mechanical cleaning stage transforming it into one the most modern sewage treatment plants in Germany – a project that cost a total of 82 million euros. One of the biggest challenges here was to ensure the plant adhered to the strict discharge values set out by the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM). Thanks to the extension work carried out at the sewage treatment plant, pollution levels in the River Warnow were reduced by 95%. Whilst the plant has delivered the same high wastewater treatment performance since then, EURAWASSER has continued to further develop the sewage treatment plant over the years, especially to optimise its energy consumption. The managing director of EURAWASSER Nord GmbH, Robert Ristow, pointed out how the plant has always met the strict discharge values set by the authorities.
EURAWASSER rebuilt the old sewage treatment plant with its single mechanical cleaning stage transforming it into one the most modern sewage treatment plants in Germany – a project that cost a total of 82 million euros.
“Documents are on hand to certify the excellent quality of the discharged water and the improved energy consumption levels. EURAWASSER will continue to observe the latest developments to see whether they can be adopted to further improve the plant’s performance. A further 10 million euros have been invested in the plant since it was extended to optimise work processes and technology.”
“A further 10 million euros have been invested in the plant since it was extended to optimise work processes and technology.”
Robert Ristow, Managing Director of EURAWASSER Nord GmbH
The Warnow Water and Wastewater Association had a surprise for this special occasion. Reinhard Lübker, former long-standing managing director of the association, had written a book relating the history of wastewater treatment in and around Rostock. Entitled “Alles fließt. Aber wohin?” [It all keeps flowing but where does it go?], the author has made the most of his four decades of experience of working in the water industry to look back at the wastewater sector, which also includes an account of the eventful history of the central sewage treatment plant. This fascinating book was published by Redieck & Schade, a publishing house based in Rostock. All those interested were invited to attend the Open Day to enable them to find out more about the work of the central sewage treatment plant. The largest sewage treatment plant in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern opened its doors to the public and organised an entertaining programme for all those present.
EURAWASSER and the WWAV celebrated this special occasion by organising an Open Day at the central sewage treatment plant
Besides putting on some fun events for young and old, EURAWASSER and WWAV explained how the state-of-the-art and complex technology actually worked. Other highlights included tours of the plant, a panoramic view of the area from the platform of a crane 50 metres up in the air, the chance to look inside the company’s special vehicles, games and surprises for the children as well as music, shows and a selection of talks.
A video of the Open Day (German only)