The Danish model for sustainable water solutions
Efficient wastewater treatment
In Denmark there is a long tradition for treating wastewater before it is discharged to watercourses, lakes or the sea. The 1,500 or so Danish wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), most of which are publicly owned, have been considerably upgraded over the past two decades. All wastewater in Denmark undergoes some form of treatment before discharge to the recipient waterbody. Moreover, the pollution sensitivity of the waterbody is taken into careful consideration when determining the required treatment level.
Safe and efficient treatment
The efficiency of the individual WWTPs is subject to routine control, both in-house and by the authorities. In cases of non-compliance with the discharge criteria the supervisory authority takes action. Operation of the WWTPs is continuously monitored, and wellqualified staff ensure correct application of the advanced treatment technologies employed.
At present, 130 WWTPs larger than 15,000 PE and 30 plants larger than 100,000 PE treat more than 90% of all Danish domestic wastewater.
Up-to-date treatment technologies
Nitrogen is removed using biological methods while phosphorus is removed using biological and/or chemical methods. Most WWTPs are equipped with automatic 24-hour SCADA systems to optimize the processes and reduce energy and other operating costs.
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Data from all WWTPs concerning treatment type and efficiency, outlet concentrations, etc. are collected and analysed by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
