Training and Demonstration Centre Decentralised Infrastructure – BDZ e.V. in Leipzig

With the aim to develop human capacities to implement and use Decentralised Water Treatment Technologies (DWTT) several modern small-scale wastewater treatment plants were constructed on the site of the Training and Demonstration Centre Decentralised Infrastructure - BDZ e.V. in Leipzig (Germany). This demonstration unit was finished in 2006 and successfully operates since then.

Solution to which problem

There are many rural and suburban areas around the Baltic Sea region where the establishment of a centralized sewer network would cause extensive construction costs. The generated wastewater still needs to be successfully treated. In those cases DWTT are a cost effective option. The main challenge is to find adequate implementation and management strategies, where capacity development of the stakeholders in this field can be a key element.

Implementation

The individual systems are integrated into the regional wastewater cycle and fed by wastewaters from the Leipzig district of Leutzsch.

The demonstration site of small-scale wastewater treatment plants includes several parts:

Feed system. With the purpose to feed the demonstration system, wastewaters takes from the local sewer network and after the treatment discharges with the main wastewaters to the Rosental wastewater treatment plant.
Demonstration boxes. Small treatment facilities are installed in separate boxes (5x7 m) and closed. The boxes are connected to all the necessary equipment, which allows you to control the cleaning process and simulate various scenarios: such as underloading / overloading, power failure or emissions from the bathtubs, as well as for changing the composition of wastewater and their constituent substances in a separate batching station.
Sample removal system/energy measurement. Each box is equipped with a separate, fully automatic sample removal system.
Dosing station. This is a storage tank with capacity of 22m², which were constructed in 2014 for production of «artificial” wastewater. This station provides an opportunity to modeling the treatment wastewaters with specific parameters.
Each box can be fed with municipal wastewater from the local sewer network in Leutzsch or with artificially produced or modified wastewater from the dosing station.

The closed wastewater cycle ensures treatment in line with the legal requirements during experimental operation, even if there are operational problems with a small-scale wastewater treatment plant.

Result

For more than 15 years, the BDZ is an experienced and reliable partner at national and international level. The BDZ has an integral approach designed both for implementing decentralized solutions in combination with programs for technical and administrative training as well as through the creation of direct access to technologies and planning tools. The connection to more than 90 members enables direct access to diverse technology options of decentralized wastewater treatment "made in Germany". This facilitates the decision-making processes for implementing DWTT, taking into account local requirements as well as the political and legal framework of the target communities.