At BIOBOX, we comply with the new European regulations on urban wastewater treatment, offering efficient, sustainable, and low-energy consumption solutions. Discover how our advanced technologies can help you adapt to these new challenges.
EU Directive: Key Aspects of Urban Wastewater Treatment
In 2024, the European Commission reviewed the 1991 Directive. While it confirmed its success in reducing pollution, it highlighted three key challenges: pollution from small communities, harmful micropollutants, and high energy consumption in urban wastewater treatment.
Main Changes of the New EU Urban Wastewater Regulation
The new regulations are one of the key outcomes of the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.
- Expanded Coverage: Agglomerations with 1,000 population equivalents or more must be equipped with collecting systems, and all sources of domestic wastewater must be connected to these systems (previously, the requirement applied to agglomerations of 2,000 population equivalents or more).
- Biodegradable Organic Matter: By 2035, Member States must eliminate biodegradable organic matter in urban wastewater (secondary treatment) before discharging it into the environment.
- Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal: By 2039, nitrogen and phosphorus removal (tertiary treatment) will be mandatory in plants treating more than 150,000 population equivalents.
- Energy Neutrality: By 2045, plants treating more than 10,000 population equivalents must use renewable energy.
- Quaternary Treatment: Starting in 2045, additional treatment to remove microcontaminants, known as quaternary treatment, will need to be implemented.
- Legislative Process: Member States have 31 months to adapt their laws to the new regulations after the directive is published.
BIOBOX: The Perfect Solution for the Challenges of the New EU Urban Wastewater Regulation
At BIOBOX, we offer cutting-edge technologies designed to meet the strictest regulations. Our prefabricated and modular systems ensure efficiency, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness.
Adaptable to a Range of Flow Rates
One of the most significant changes in the new directive is the reduction of the application threshold from 2,000 to 1,000 population equivalents. Meeting this requirement will be a big challenge, as there are currently no viable solutions available on the market for small or medium-sized plants.
Thanks to the modularity of our BIOBOX systems, we are able to offer a flexible and cost-effective solution that can adapt to different flow rates and treatment capacities, starting from approximately 5 m³/h.
- Customized and Modular Design: We manufacture tailor-made units, optimizing technology and reducing investment and operational costs. Additionally, thanks to their modular nature, extra modules can be added as needs grow.
- Prefabricated Plants: We manufacture our plants in specialized workshops, avoiding costly civil works and minimizing noise and disruptions. Their compact design ensures fast and efficient installation.
- 360º Support: We guide our clients from water analysis to remote assistance after project completion, guaranteeing comprehensive support.
- 24/7 Remote Monitoring and Control: Our plants are equipped with automation and sensor systems, allowing remote control from any device. Additionally, real-time alerts notify operational staff when needed.
Energy efficiency and significant consumption savings.
The new directive establishes that, by 2045, treatment plants must be energy-neutral, which means optimizing energy consumption and generating renewable energy.
How do we meet this requirement?
- Low Consumption Biological Technology: The specific BIOBOX bacteria naturally treat the water without intensive mechanical processes.
- Operational Efficiency: The use of bacteria allows for operation at low pressures, reducing reliance on pumps and other high-energy-consuming equipment.
- Energy Neutrality: BIOBOX plants can integrate renewable energy sources (such as solar panels), aligning with the energy neutrality goals for 2045.
BIOBOX enables energy savings of up to 7 times less compared to Reverse Osmosis.
Proprietary technology to remove nitrogen, organic matter, and phosphorus from wastewater.
At BIOBOX, we have proprietary technologies, developed in our R&D center, for the efficient removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. Thanks to years of research and refinement, we guarantee sustainable, high-performance solutions for treating urban wastewater.
We invite you to check out our technology portfolio here and explore the potential of these technologies.
Conclusion: BIOBOX, a step forward towards regulatory compliance and sustainability.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry and a deep understanding of the process, at BIOBOX have positioned ourselves as a leading company in water treatment. Our team of experts, from laboratory research to field implementation, is ready to provide us with top-quality support and ensure optimal results for our project.
Are you facing a specific challenge? Contact us today and receive a free initial assessment of your project!