Sustainable Wastewater Innovation Towards Circular H2O

ongoing

Project LIFE SWITCH2O demonstrates a fully circular wastewater treatment plan. The ambitious aim of LIFE SWITCH2O is to demonstrate one of the most circular decentralised wastewater systems in the world, including local reuse of water, nutrients, and energy at the local neighbourhood level. The project encompasses 207 homes (145 houses and 62 apartments) in the neighbourhood of Noorderhoek in the Frisian city of Sneek, the Netherlands. Two feasibility studies for replication are carried out for the concept's large-scale roll-out, namely in the newbuilt Fifth Village in the Netherlands, and in Helsingborg, Sweden. In doing so, the project lays the foundations for a breakthrough in realising the circular economy, in line with the 2050 climate objectives in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. The project also offers a solution to climate-induced water shortages, looming depletion of primary resources, and the environmental pollution associated with traditional wastewater discharge. The LIFE SWITCH2O consortium is led by waterboard and main beneficiary Wetterskip Fryslân (WF) and comprises the Municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân (SWF), housing cooperation Elkien, technology developer DESAH, knowledge institutes WETSUS and STOWA, replication partners Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard (HHSK), Sweden Water Research (SWR), and drinking water company VITENS.