Within the context of the SWaTH project, professors from various Lebanese and European Universities visited the Henriksdal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Stockholm on June 10, 2022. Program Manager – Marie Albrektsson, Development Engineer – Kristina Stark Fujii, and Environment Chemist – Katja Närhi accompanied the team during the visit.
An in-depth and long discussion took place about the membrane technology in the wastewater treatment field, its importance, and how to optimize its efficiency. The conversation was mutually beneficial since the Henriksdal WWTP is upgrading to a new and more effective method (membrane technology) at the biological cleansing stage as the sludge is organic and doesn't sink as it should. In line with this, the SWaTH team benefited from the practical expertise of the plant's experts. During the visit, the SWaTH project manager – Makram El Bachawati, explained the main objectives and the project's ongoing achievements and opened the door for possible collaboration.
It is worth mentioning that Henriksdal WWTP was established between 1936 and 1941 and expanded from 1963 to 1970. It is the first wastewater treatment plant in the world to be built in rock and underground. The total area of Henriksdal WWTP is 300,000m2 with 18 km of associated tunnels, and its wastewater treatment capacity is 250,000m3 daily serving 800,000 people from Stockholm and surrounding municipalities.
