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Simulation Studies · New Sanitation Strategies · Integrated Technology for Residential Areas |
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Simulation Studies · New Sanitation Strategies · Integrated Technology for Residential Areas |
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Ecological settlement Current pictures of building site |
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Description of the integrated sanitation concept
The system has been planned by OtterWasser GmbH for a local construction company, which will develop the area in co-operation with the Lübeck city council. The settlement will be inhabited by about 350 inhabitants and is a pilot project to demonstrate a working example of the concept of sustainable sanitation.
All technical components of the project are well developed and have been used in different fields of application for many years. Vacuum toilets are used widely in ships, airplanes and trains. They are also used in some apartment buildings for saving water. Unified vacuum sewerage serves hundreds of communities. Anaerobic treatment is used in industrial wastewater treatment, biowaste treatment and on many farms in South East Asia anaerobic treatment is widely used for hygienic and economic nutrient recycling.
The system that will be built in Lübeck consists of three water treatment systems for blackwater / kitchen waste, greywater and stormwater. It involves vacuum closets (VC), anaerobic treatment with co-treatment of organic household waste in a small scale biogas-plant and recycling of digested anaerobic sludge to agriculture with storage for growth periods.
Biogas will be used for combined heat and power generation (CHP) in combination with natural gas. Decentralized treatment of greywater will take place in constructed wetlands to maximize energy efficiently. Stormwater will be collected for reuse, using swales for retention and infiltration of excess-stormwater.
Three water systems of German pilot project ‘Flintenbreite’
The infrastructure for the Flintenbreite project, including the sustainable sanitation concept, will be pre-financed by the construction company and a private operating company. Part of the investment costs will be covered by a connection fee, just like in conventional systems.
Money is saved by not having to construct a flushing sewerage system, by reduced freshwater consumption and by efficiencies flowing from co-coordinated construction of all pipes and lines (vacuum sewers, local heat and power distribution, water supply, phone- and TV-lines).
The fees for wastewater and biowaste to be charged later will cover operation and maintenance of the system. A part of the operation costs will be paid to a part-time operator, offering a local employment opportunity.
The private company will be responsible for operation of all technical structures, including heat and power generation and distribution.
The effluent values (emissions) and energy consumption of sustainable sanitation systems show the economical and ecological advantages of waste classification and source control.
The energy balance of sustainable sanitation systems is positive due to biogas utilization and the substitution of industrial fertilizer.
For more information see: www.Flintenbreite.de Start Home
