Stockholm Vatten Collaborates with Ramboll and Holinger on Groundbreaking Micropollutant Removal Pre-Study for Wastewater Treatment

Stockholm Vatten Collaborates with Ramboll and Holinger on Groundbreaking Micropollutant Removal Pre-Study for Wastewater Treatment

(IN BRIEF) Stockholm Vatten, alongside Ramboll and Holinger, is undertaking a pivotal pre-study project at the Henriksdal Wastewater Treatment Plant in response to the new EU Urban Wastewater Directive. The goal is to assess advanced treatment technologies for micropollutant removal to meet EU requirements by 2033-2045. The project aims to explore the performance, costs, and sustainability of different technologies while overcoming challenges posed by the plant’s underground location. The results will provide essential insights for future water treatment projects, showcasing advanced technologies and collaborative methodologies in a complex setting.

(PRESS RELEASE) COPENHAGEN, 2-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Stockholm Vatten, in collaboration with Ramboll and Holinger, is embarking on a groundbreaking project to enhance its wastewater treatment capabilities, setting the stage for future water treatment projects in Sweden. This project is a direct response to the new EU Urban Wastewater Directive, which mandates that large wastewater treatment plants implement micropollutant removal technologies by 2033-2045. With this in mind, Stockholm Vatten is striving to be among the first large wastewater treatment plants in Sweden to meet these requirements by the end of 2033.

Ramboll will lead a pre-study project at the Henriksdal Wastewater Treatment Plant, drawing on the expertise of local water treatment specialists and supported by Holinger, who brings extensive experience from large-scale projects in Switzerland.

The primary objective of the Henriksdal pre-study project is to thoroughly assess a range of advanced treatment technologies, evaluating their performance, energy and chemical consumption, waste products, costs, and environmental impacts. The findings from this pre-study will provide essential data to help determine the most effective technology for micropollutant removal and guide the further design and implementation phases.

One unique challenge faced by the Henriksdal plant is its location within a mountain, with residential buildings situated above it. The lack of space for expansion increases the risk of high excavation costs. To address this, the project will focus on maximizing the use of existing structures and spaces. A multi-criteria analysis will be used to compare three advanced treatment solutions, considering factors such as cost (CAPEX and OPEX), sustainability, carbon footprint, logistics, and operational considerations.

Despite the significant costs associated with this project, it is expected to yield positive outcomes, particularly in terms of improved water quality and long-term economic growth.

Johanna Grim, Project Manager at Ramboll Water, said, “I’m very pleased that we are incorporating sustainability and carbon footprint into the comparison of alternative solutions, as these treatment technologies will have an environmental impact. We need to make thoughtful decisions to reduce water pollution while minimizing the consumption of fossil resources and energy.”

Through close collaboration between Ramboll, Holinger, and Stockholm Vatten, along with parallel pilot trials, this project aims to address the challenges of working with the existing plant’s structure and the evolving legal landscape surrounding micropollutant removal. The results from the Henriksdal project will offer valuable insights into treatment technologies, design parameters, and project methodologies that can be applied to future projects.

This initiative demonstrates how advanced treatment can be successfully implemented in complex settings, showcasing effective technologies and collaborative methodologies within a Nordic context.

Media Contacts:

Johanna Grim
Team Lead
+46 70 484 01 56

René Hoeijmakers
Global Division Director
+31 6 83191061

SOURCE: Ramboll Group AS