WHITE PAPERS FOR A GREEN TRANSITIONWATERWASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Unlocking thepotential ofwastewater
Using wastewater as a resource while
protecting people and ecosystems

INSIDE THIS WHITE PAPER
Wastewater as a source of energy
Resource recovery from wastewater
The digital transformation of the wastewater sector
Treating and recirculating industrial wastewater

Connect. Inspire. Share. Think Denmark

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stateofgreen.com

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COLOPHON

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER
Using wastewater as a resource while protecting people and ecosystems
Version 4.0
August 2024

FRONT PAGE PHOTO
Photo credit: BIOFOS by Luftfoto Danmark ApS
Editing: Henrik Wedel Sivertsen

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Victoria Kimberly Kristensen, State of Green, vkk@stateofgreen.com

STEERING GROUP
Danish Ministry of Environment, Anne Marie Zinck, anmzi@mim.dk
DI Danish Water Industries, Mads Helleberg Dorff, mahd@di.dk and Jakob Faber Hartig, jafh@di.dk
BIOFOS, Teje Krogh Lindgren, tlj@biofos.dk
COWI, Ole Godsk Dalgaard, oda@cowi.com
VCS Denmark, Per Henrik Nielsen, phn@vandcenter.dk
Aarhus Vand, Laura Bailón Allegue, laura.bailon@aarhusvand.dk

CONTRIBUTORS
AquaGreen, Bettina Tan Fjældhøj, befj@aquagreen.dk
Aquaporin, Søren Robenhagen, sro@aquaporin.com
AVK, Michael Ramlau Hansen, mrh@avk.dk
COWI, Ole Godsk Dalgaard, oda@cowi.com
Danfoss, Jacob Vind, jacob.vind@danfoss.com
DHI, Thor Danielsen, thda@dhigroup.com
DTI – Danish Technological Institute, Lotte Bjerrum Friis-Holm, lbfh@teknologisk.dk
Grundfos, Morten Riis, m.riis@grundfos.com
Krüger A/S, Kristine Henriques, kristine.henriques@veolia.com
Landia, Thorkild Maagaard, tm@landia.dk
NIRAS, Søren Nøhr Bak, snba@niras.com
NISSEN energy, Michael B. Nissen, mbn@nissenenergy.com
Ramboll, Anita Rye Ottosen, aro@ramboll.dk
SulfiLogger, Claus Behrens, cbe@sulfilogger.com
ULTRAAQUA, Morten Møller Klausen, mmk@ultraaqua.com
Unisense Environment, Bastian Piltz, sales@unisense.com
Water Technology Advisory EU, Stig Knudsen, stiknd@um.dk
Aarhus Vand, Lene Halgaard, lene.halgaard@aarhusvand.dk

DOWNLOAD THIS WHITE PAPER
Download the white paper and other related publications at www.stateofgreen.com/publications

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To order copies of this white paper or receive information about other related publications,please contact State of Green at info@stateofgreen.com

COPYRIGHT NOTICE© Copyright State of Green 2024

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER

Executive summary

Treatment and management of wastewater are essential components of sustainable water resource management and play a keyrole in the success of the green transition. Wastewater should not
be viewed as waste or a byproduct but as a resource.
Globally, an estimated 20 percent of all wastewater from households and industry is properly collected and treated. The United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to reduce theproportion of untreated wastewater entering water bodies by 50
percent by 2030. In Europe, 97 percent of generated wastewater
is collected and receives treatment beyond the primary stage, yet
only 69 percent undergo tertiary treatment. Denmark exemplifies
a proactive approach to wastewater management, driven by environmental concerns that have spurred innovation.
The Danish water sector showcases a holistic approach to water
management, setting a global example for optimising energy
consumption and addressing emission challenges while maxi­
mising resource recovery. From phosphorus recovery to biogas
production, Denmark demonstrates the potential of wastewater
as a source of renewable energy and critical materials. A corner­stone in the Danish approach to wastewater is a high-quality
treatment that surpasses regulatory requirements. The high levelof cleaning is a result of both wastewater companies' ambitions tominimise the burden on the water environment, technical abilities
and discharge fees.

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Denmark's environmental journey stems from concern for its
water resources and the environment in the 1980s when theaquatic environment showed significant signs of malady. This
led to pioneering efforts in wastewater treatment to improve
the aquatic environment. Over time, the efforts and innovations
have reached new abilities and set new goals, such as the watersector’s commitment to energy and climate neutrality by 2030.
Through regulations, economic incentives and public-private
partnerships, Denmark is well underway in achieving the goalof energy neutrality. The ambitious goal of climate neutrality is achallenge, in part due to the uncertainty of measurement and will
likely not be met at the current trajectory. Although not realistically met by 2030, the goal continues to motivate actions and bring
down emissions from the water sector.
The future of wastewater treatment lies in embracing innovationand investing in research and development. Continued collab­
oration between industry, government and research institutions
will be essential to drive progress and ensure the water sector's
contribution to a sustainable future. By transforming wastewater
into a valuable resource, Denmark aimes to set an example formore sustainable water management practices, inspiring action
and innovation worldwide.

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FOREWORD

Wastewater treatment isof global importance
BY MAGNUS HEUNICKE, DENMARK’S MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT

Globally, it is important to act responsibly to protect people
and the environment from intensive, untreated wastewater
streams. We need efficient treatment of our wastewater toprotect our health and natural environment. With the righttechnologies, wastewater can become a valuable resource,
turning sludge from treated wastewater into energy andtransferring heat from the treatment process to the district
heating networks.
Severe environmental degradation of many inland andcoastal waters around the world is the outcome of decadesof uncontrolled discharge of wastewater. Globally, about
80 percent of wastewater is discharged untreated to thesurrounding environment, which has major consequences
for human health, biodiversity and the environment.
Denmark realised the severe effects of a growing population and a blooming industry at a very early stage. Today, asa result of progressive efforts, more than 95 percent of all
wastewater is treated.
In Denmark, wastewater is considered a valuable resource.
The Danish water sector has a goal of becoming energy andclimate neutral by 2030 - and perhaps even net producers
of energy. That is an ambitious goal which requires coop-eration between Danish authorities, water utilities, companies and organisations if we are to create more innovative
solutions, adding value for both water consumers and thesociety as a whole.
Today, wastewater is a resource for reuse, extraction of nutrients, energy production and soil improvement. And this isan example of how Denmark contributes to finding solutions
to some of the world’s major water and climate challenges,
in accordance with a number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
If properly treated, wastewater may for example be reusedas technical water in some industries, as irrigation waterfor crops and for recreational purposes. The number ofavailable solutions is plenty but to harvest the full potential
of investments in wastewater treatment, it is crucial to lookahead and think long-term. Wastewater should no longer bethought of as a problem but as a resource. We must makethe most of the water we have, including wastewater.
This white paper features a series of best practice examplesof wastewater treatment – both centralised and decentralised. Although many of these solutions have been createdwithin a Danish context, they are scalable and applicable fora global audience.

Magnus Heunicke
Denmark’s Minister for Environment

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Index

Chapter 1: The ripple effect of legislation

9

Chapter 2: The structure of the Danish wastewater sector

10Chapter 3: Wastewater as a source of energy

12

Chapter 4: Resource recovery from wastewater

16

Chapter 5: The digital transformation of the wastewater sector

18

Chapter 6: Treating and recirculating industrial wastewater

23

Chapter 7: Tackling today's challenges with the innovations of tomorrow

26

Chapter 8: Tap into Danish water expertise30

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER

CHAPTER 1

The ripple effectof legislation
Denmark's environmental journey began decades ago, driven by
the need to protect the aquatic environment and limited water
resources. Today, the Danish water sector applies innovative
wastewater treatment, aiming for energy and climate neutrality
by 2030. Public-private partnerships and EU alignment
underscore its commitment to sustainability, setting a global
example for transformative solutions in water management.

Geographically, Denmark is challenged by the lack of majorwater bodies to discharge pollutants from the cities. Consequently, environmental concerns have been a priority
for many years, leading to strict regulations implemented
since the 1980s. Danish standards for discharging into
sensitive waters were further tightened in the 1990s. Muchof Denmark's environmental legislation has been adopted
nearly in its entirety by the European Union.
Regulation as a driver for development
Today, more than 95 percent of all wastewater in Denmark
is subject to tertiary treatment. Denmark was one of thepioneers in taking significant steps to reduce the negative
effects of urban wastewater discharge on aquatic ecosystems. Instead of merely diverting pollution away from
cities, innovative technologies treat urban sewage water
to high standards that limit the negative and pollutive
consequences on the surrounding environment. This has
improved the quality of life in and around Danish cities bothfor humans and nature, and increased the appeal of thesurrounding areas.
Public-private goal setting
In 2019, the Danish government enacted legally binding targets that oblige Denmark to achieve a 70 percent reduction
compared to 1990 levels in its greenhouse gas emissions
by 2030. To meet this goal, 14 public-private Climate
Partnerships were established to bring together ideas anduncover barriers to the green transition. The partnershipon water and waste set a goal of becoming energy andclimate n­ eutral by 2030. In partnership with the government,
the private sector set forth five suggestions for the watersector, proving it to be an ambitious sector:
1.	Reduction of direct greenhouse gas emissions
in the wastewater sector
2.	Increased energy efficiency in the water andwaste­water sector
3.	Avoidance of rainwater and unauthorised waterin the wastewater system
4.	Increased energy production via biogas
and heat pumps
5.	Export efficient water technology to achieve
global impact
Efforts and innovations in energy-efficient measures havesignificantly advanced the Danish water sector, bringing
it closer to achieving energy neutrality. Additionally, thesector is committed to operational climate neutrality andwill, in the coming years, develop methods to measure thisprogress to capture the extent of its achievements.
The 2023 revision of the EU's Urban Wastewater Treatment
Directive will further accelerate the need for transformative
solutions. The revision focuses on improved treatment ofwastewater, increased reuse of wastewater, better monitoring, energy neutrality and the polluter pays principle forcosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

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CHAPTER 2

The structure of theDanish wastewater sector
The economic structure of the Danish water sector incentivises
Danish wastewater treatment plants to clean wastewater far
better than the requirements set by the authorities. Discharge
fees combined with technical abilities and the wastewatercompanies' ambitions to minimise the burden on the water
environment result in a generally high level of treatment.

As the only country in the world, Denmark’s water supply is
100 percent groundwater based. Relying on a groundwatermodel places high responsibility and requirements on effluent water and, therefore, on the Danish wastewater treatment plants and how wastewater is treated and cleaned.
In 2022, 95.7 percent of all wastewater in Denmark was
subject to full biological treatment. 600-800 million cubic
meters of wastewater runs through Denmark’s more than
700 wastewater plants annually, where approximately 90
percent of nitrogen and phosphorus is removed before thewater is led out into nature. Wastewater treatment is thecost-heavy part of the water cycle in Denmark, where thecost is reflected in the price of water.
Polluter pays principle
Water and wastewater services are in many countries considered public goods paid by government funds. However,in Denmark and other EU member states, the 'polluter pays
principle' is applied to both domestic and industrial users.

This requires that the costs of wastewater collection andtreatment are funded through water tariffs.
To complement the existing regulatory framework, a discharge tax has been implemented that places the burden
on the polluter – in this case, the wastewater treatment
facility. This means that the polluter must pay a tax forevery kilogram of discharge for the three main parameters:organic matter (BOD), phosphorus and nitrogen. The result
has been a very innovative and progressive optimisation
strategy for the water sector in Denmark, which now can be
expected to be pushed even further by the private sector
with the revised EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
Cost-efficient treatment through centralisation
Centralising wastewater treatment has proven to be acost-efficient approach in many regions, increasing theefficiency and surplus of heat and energy production. In
Denmark, 50 percent of all wastewater is treated at just 31
centralised plants.

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Danish water prices
The price of water charged is decided
by each utility and can include a fixed
fee + charge per consumed m3 or simply
a charge based on consumption alone.
The price will reflect the actual cost of
production, operation and management,a full cost recovery. In 2022, the averagewater price in Denmark was approximately
EUR 10 per m3.

Tax ondrinking
water
8.5%

VAT
drinking
water
6.7%

Drinking
water
Drinkingwater
utility’s
share
18.1%

Tax on wastewater 0.8%

Wastewater

Wastewater
utility’s
share
52.6%

VAT
wastewater
13.3%

These facilities enable significant reductions in operationalcosts, particularly through decreased labour, maintenanceand expenses, and improved energy efficiency.
In densely populated areas, larger centralised treatment
plants are optimal, supporting the demand for energy
self-sufficiency and resource recovery. Conversely, rural
areas benefit from decentralised, low-technology solutions. However, rapid urban growth and water scarcity
are prompting innovative solutions, such as compact
treatment units and membrane technologies, which arebecoming competitive for smaller communities.
Denmark's experience highlights the advantages of centralisation, including advanced treatment opportunities likeenergy-efficient processes and phosphorus recovery. These
sophisticated technologies are feasible and cost-­effective
only at larger plants, underscoring the economic benefits ofa centralised approach to wastewater treatment.

Download the latest report here: www.danva.dk/waterinfigures

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CHAPTER 3

Wastewater as asource of energy
Great examples of energy optimisation have been set by theDanish water industry and at the same time emission challenges
have been duly addressed. Sustainability is key for the future ofDanish water businesses.

The wastewater sector in Denmark is at the forefront ofdevelopment in relation to both energy conservation andemissions reduction. Several leading utilities in Denmark
have proved that energy neutrality is an achievable goal,meeting the challenges with aggressive energy reduction
and conservation programs, and maximising energy production in the form of biogas production.
Driving economic and environmental gains
in water treatment
Denmark’s commitment to the aquatic environment andsustainability is embodied in its national goal to achieveenergy neutrality and strive towards climate neutrality by
2030. To meet the 2030 objectives, wastewater treatment
plants across Denmark have conducted comprehensive
energy assessments to identify and implement the mosteffective energy-saving measures. These initiatives include
the deployment of advanced online monitoring and energy
management systems. Such improvements can lead tosignificant reductions in energy consumption. This strategic approach not only supports Denmark’s environmental
goals, but also offers substantial economic benefits bylowering operational costs and enhancing the sustainability of water treatment operations.
From wastewater to watts
A progressive implementation of energy-efficient equipment as well as process optimisation has put wastewater
treatment plants in the position of being net producers
of energy. They boast an impressive net self-sufficiency
rate of 77 percent, achieved through the innovative use ofanaerobic sludge digestion leading to the production ofvaluable biogas used for the production of electricity or insome cases injected into local or national gas grids.
Excess heat produced in the process is cleverly integrated
into the district heating networks, exemplifying a successful circular economy approach and adding to the neutrality
agenda. Even heat pump technology is in some cases
implemented using the temperature in the effluent steam
as a heat source for the district heating system, setting abenchmark for future initiatives.
Green transition through wastewater innovation
Denmark has adopted ambitious goals for emission reduction. For the wastewater sector, this means that process
emissions in the form of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane(CH4) are closely followed and measured, and control andabatement initiatives have been initiated.
Danish utilities have both measured and tested control
strategies for reduction of the N2O-emissions from the bio­
logical conversion of ammonia to free nitrogen. This work
has been supported by Danish inventions in the sensor
industry and is supported by the Danish Environmental
Protection Agency. Despite many initiatives, there is stillsome way to go before full control and minimisation will beachieved.
With the increased utilisation of biogas production, more
attention has been given to the adverse effect of leakingof CH4 from the systems. Numerous initiatives aiming atensuring optimal utilisation and minimising emission havebeen implemented, even regular audits are mandatory toensure that leaks are not leading to emissions.

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CASES

Increasing efficiency and quality inmunicipal wastewater recycling
Reducing the energy consumption of a reverse osmosis operation while maintaining the permeate quality is a delicate balancing act. Municipal wastewater
treatment plants often use conventional anti-fouling brackish water membranes to improve operational stability, however, these membranes have highrejection rates and are not energy efficient. Aquaporin and PUB, Singapore’s
national water agency, have partnered to develop the world’s first biomimetic
low-energy Aquaporin membrane demonstration for NEWater. NEWater isa state-wide project where used water, including wastewater, is treated toultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water for consumption.
Aquaporin’s solution is the Aquaporin Inside® CLEAR series. Utilisingbiomi­micry, advanced membrane chemistry and smart element design, themembranes require less feed pressure while at the same time bringing stable
operation and high permeate quality to municipal reverse osmosis waste­water recycling.
Lower feed pressure reduces energy use by up to 30 percent. A 30 percent
reduction in energy consumption results in important potential benefits forcompanies and local authorities, such as reduced operating costs and lower
carbon footprint, while also helping municipalities increase resilience to energy shortages and price fluctuations.

CONTRIBUTORS
Aquaporin

LOCATION
Singapore

From eight to one innovative,
centralised wastewater treatment plant
The existing eight wastewater treatment plants in Assens were unable to keep
pace with the municipality's growth and fell short of economic and environmental standards. To address these challenges, a new, centralised wastewater
treatment plant was established in a new utility park. The new facility offers increased capacity and flexibility for future urban development, as it is designed
for 100,000 person equivalents (PE), with the capacity to accommodate an
additional 50,000 PE.
An innovative aspect of the new plant is its ability to generate energy. This is
made possible by integrating a biogas plant, which converts industrial wastewater and sludge into energy, thereby promoting sustainability and aiming fora CO2-neutral operation by 2029. This aligns with broader environmental goals
and reduces waste significantly.
The benefits of the new treatment plant include enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs and improved reliability in wastewater treatment. By decommissioning outdated facilities and ceasing discharges into sensitive areas, theproject aims to greatly improve the aquatic environment. It also prepares for
future regulatory and technological advancements.
Assens Utility was the employer for the project and COWI A/S served as theemployer’s adviser.

CONTRIBUTORSCOWI A/S, Assens Utility,
Envidan A/S, NCC A/S - Jacobsen &Bindkilde A/S and Cubo A/S

LOCATION
Assens, Denmark

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CASES

Going beyond energy efficiency
The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD), serving DeKalb andNorthern Illinois University, aims to be energy neutral by 2025, aligning withits mission to protect public health and the environment through efficientwastewater services.
To achieve this, KWRD installed two combined heat and power (CHP) gene­rators from NISSEN energy as part of a comprehensive net-zero energy plan.
These NPM 375 generators convert biogas from sewage into electricity, eachsupplying 375 kW of electricity and 462 kW of heating.
The first generator, installed in 2020, reduced power consumption by 60 percent but could not meet all energy needs. To generate sufficient biogas for asecond generator, the facility began processing food waste and restaurant
grease. Initially planned for 2025, the second generator's installation wasexpedited thanks to a donation from Facebook (now Meta) and a grant fromthe Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The second CHP generator
is now operational, joining the first one. Together, they supply 125 percentof the facility’s electrical energy needs, moving KWRD closer to its energy
neutrality goal.

CONTRIBUTORSNISSEN energy

LOCATION
Kishwaukee, Illinois, USA

Joint Danish effort to meet
local challenges
The Changqing district, located in the city of Jinan in Shandong, China, waschallenged by lacking sewage capabilities. In a project to solve the local is­sues, the Jinan Economic Development Zone sought advanced technologies
to address the challenges. At the same time, the solutions had to contribute to
China’s ‘dual carbon’ policy where reduction in CO2 and energy efficiency arein focus.
In a joint effort, Danish water companies, including AVK, Danfoss and Landia,
demonstrated how Danish water technologies in unison could help the cityof Jinan reach their goals. This involved gates and valves from AVK, frequency
converters and soft starters from Danfoss, and sewage pumps from Landia.
With the implementation of the new technologies, a 10 to 15 percent reduc­tion in energy consumption was made possible. Moreover, the solutions
would secure a decrease in the error rate, increased process efficiency,
improved sewage treatment capacity in the Changqing district and, overall,
contribute to the green, economic development in the city of Jinan.

CONTRIBUTORSAVK, Danfoss and Landia

LOCATION
Shandong Province, China

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CASES

Photo credit: Andreas Große

Identifying N2O in Flensburg’s
wastewater treatment
In 2022, the TBZ Flensburg wastewater treatment plant conducted measurement campaigns
to identify key sources of N2O. The plant's unique setup led the engineers to select seven mea­
surement points across nitrogen degradation sections to accurately identify N2O sources andpathways for better mitigation strategies.
The measurement campaigns, each lasting one to two weeks per location, were conducted from
October 2022 to February 2023. The flexibility of using the Unisense Environment N2O Wastewater System at various measuring points was a significant advantage, as stored data could betransferred onto an USB for viewing and evaluation. The campaigns showed low N2O formationin the main stream and typical levels in the side stream treatment, with two specific sources
identified. Due to seasonal variations in N2O production, year-round monitoring is essential for
accurate data. Future measurements will contribute to the Flensburg plant’s CO2 equivalentaccounting and climate neutrality efforts.

CONTRIBUTORSUnisense Environment

LOCATION
Flensburg, Germany

The next steps include integrating N2O monitoring in the process control system and using it for
carbon source dosing control. Long-term monitoring will identify fluctuations and help implement measures to improve plant performance.

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CHAPTER 4

Resource recovery
from wastewater
Today, the wastewater sector is facing a paradigm shift,
moving away from pollution abatement to extract value fromwastewater. Consequently, wastewater treatment plants arebeing redesigned from treatment facilities using energy andchemicals, towards resource recovery facilities delivering
different valuables.

Wastewater is a valuable and sustainable source of waterwith organic materials, metals and nutrients from which
other high value products as energy, fertilisers or biopla­
stics can be obtained.
Direct use of urban sewage sludge in agricultural land is acommon practice for nutrient recovery. In 2021, around 76
percent of the produced urban sewage sludge in Denmark
was directly applied to farmland. However, using sewage
sludge for agricultural purposes is typically costly for awastewater treatment plant. The potential risk of conta­
minant content, such as heavy metals, micropollutants andpathogenic organisms, as well as a relatively small nutrientand organic matter proportionate to the total waste mass,
increase costs. Consequently, new sludge valorisation
technologies are being developed and applied.
Sludge valorisation as biochar
Biochar produced by pyrolysis of sewage sludge is a methodof eliminating micropollutants. Pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process that occurs in the absence of oxygen whenorganic matter is heated to more than 300°C. Today, two fullscale pyrolysis plants are in operation in Denmark at Fåre­vejle
wastewater treatment plant and at Søndersø wastewater
treatment plant with two more projects being underway.

The solution consists of a combined steam dryer and apyrolysis oven, where sewage sludge is pyrolysed at 500800°C resulting in a biochar rich in nutrients and a volatile
pyrolysis gas. Approximately 28-50 percent of the sludge's
carbon can be found in biochar, while the rest is used forenergy when burning the pyrolysis gas. Both digested andundigested sludge with varying levels of dry matter can betreated. Since biochar consists of around 28-50 percent
carbon, it can be used as a soil amendment. Most of the
carbon remains in the soil for hundreds or thousands ofyears. In this way, turning sludge into biochar can effective­ly reduce CO2-emissions.
Another advantage of using pyrolysis is that the amountof sludge is significantly reduced to 1/10 in volume when it
comes out as biochar. The biochar is stable, free of pathogenic bacteria, odourless and rich in phosphorus, carbon
and other minerals. Moreover, it can be used as a soil
improve­ment. While pyrolysis has a high maturity level,
it is a relatively new technology, especially with sewage
sludge as input. Danish wastewater utilities are testingand helping to improve the process which is a promisingalternative for sludge valorisation.

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CASES

Pyrolysis revolution: transforming
waste into valuable resources
Traditional sludge spreading is harmful due to microplastics, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals
and PFAS, posing health and environmental risks. Tightening regulations and rising costs havefurther strained budgets at the Fårevejle treatment plant, which is part of Odsherred Utility.
As a solution, Odsherred Utility has adopted AquaGreen’s advanced pyrolysis technology totransform sewage sludge into nutrient-rich biochar, eliminating harmful practices of spreading
sludge on farmland. This innovative system converts sludge into biochar, thereby removing
PFAS, capturing CO₂ and recovering valuable resources like phosphorus and potassium.

CONTRIBUTORS
AquaGreen and Odsherred Utility

LOCATION
Fårevejle, Denmark

AquaGreen's system, using steam-drying and pyrolysis, operates cost-effectively and generates
revenue through biochar sales, carbon removal credits and excess heat. The HECLA® Setores
1.000 plant reduces greenhouse gases by 1,800 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, produces 2,000 MWhof energy and stores 500 tonnes of carbon in biochar anually.
This method offers a sustainable alternative to sludge disposal, combats climate change,
prevents groundwater pollution and reduces transportation needs by 90 percent, and ulti­mately cuts handling costs by up to 90 percent while generating new revenue streams.

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CHAPTER 5

The digital transformationof the wastewater sector
The water sector is facing a growing number of challenges
affecting all aspects of operations. Taking a data-driven approach
to running a wastewater treatment plant opens new opportunities
for optimisation. The Danish water sector has already proven that
digitalisation holds the key to radical transformation.

Denmark is one of the most digitalised countries in the world.
As the surrounding society has become increasingly digital,
so has the water sector. Today, most wastewater facilities
see digitalisation as necessary for overcoming the current
and future challenges facing them. However, while the steps
involved in a wastewater treatment plant’s digitalisation
journey are the same, their starting points, individual needs
and ambitions may not be.
Optimisation through digitalisation
Regardless of the starting point, a digital transformation
affects the entire facility and is a means for improving
operations and investments, attracting and maintaining theworkforce, and monitoring and documenting performance
towards stakeholders, such as authorities.
Automated management systems are widely implemented
across wastewater treatment plants in Denmark.

By digitally monitoring water pressure, temperature, microbial levels and other key indicators, these systems enableutilities to prioritise their daily efforts effectively. This approach not only saves time in locating leaks and addressing
issues that require onsite attention, but also facilitates nearly
unmanned operation of the treatment plants. For instance,
alarm systems can digitally monitor nighttime flow data,
ensuring efficient and continuous oversight without the needfor constant human presence.
Furthermore, ongoing asset monitoring can alert the utility
company of actions needed before malfunctions occur inthe systems or service connections. This saves time andcost-consuming shutdowns of the treatment plants. Assetmanagement systems can also be used for predicting cloudbursts, assessing the capacity of and controlling water flowpressure on the sewers.

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The figure below is a good and comprehensible way of framing the three concepts
and their distinctions:
Machine learning / AI

Digital transformation

Robots and digital predictions

Digitalisation

Start to use data

Digitisation

Convert info to digital

Prognosis
Modelling
AnalysisAutomation
Monitoring

This model shows a development from digitisation to digitalisation followed by digital transformation.
•	Digitisation refers to the process of converting information into a digital (i.e. computer-readable) format.
•	Digitalisation is the process in which aspects of social and work life are restructured around digital communication.
•	Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technology by a water company or utility. Common goals for its implementation are to improve efficiency, value or innovation.

Are we there yet?
Digitalisation is not a one-step transformation. The digitaljourney in Denmark has been underway for the past 20
years. A gradual digital transformation enhances performance opportunities by progressing through three stages:
digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation.
Digitisation is the first step, involving the conversion of
analogue information into digital form, such as scanningdocuments. This improves performance by making data
more accessible and easier to manage. The second step,
digitalisation, uses digital technologies to change andimprove business processes, such as automating tasks
and integrating systems, leading to increased efficiency
and reduced costs. Finally, digital transformation represents a comprehensive shift in how an organisation
operates, incorporating digital technologies into allareas of the business.

This step drives innovation, improves customer experiences
and opens new business opportunities. Each step builds
upon the previous one, collectively enhancing the organisation's overall performance potential.
However, experience has shown that digital transformation is like aiming at a moving target as new regulations,
expectations, threats and technological advancements
constantly bring new solutions to the market. Fortunately,
the foundation has been laid for Danish wastewater plants
in close collaboration with technology providers to ensurethat new challenges and opportunities are continuously
addressed and incorporated.

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CASES

Improving wastewater treatment
through digitalisation
BIOFOS Utility, treating wastewater in the Greater Copenhagen area, has enhanced the operation of its three large treatment plants through a commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The goal has been to maximise the utilisation of existing facilities, minimise environmental
impact and ensure optimal and compliant operation under diverse conditions, including varying
weather patterns.

CONTRIBUTORS
Krüger A/S and BIOFOSLOCATION
The primary challenge has been to improve operational efficiency, particularly in response to thegrowing population in the catchment area. To meet these challenges, BIOFOS initiated a collaboration with Krüger A/S 20 years ago to develop and implement data-driven technology, today
known as Hubgrade. Over the years, numerous projects have been undertaken, ranging from enhancing process understanding to developing new software. This approach has revolutionised
plant operations, leveraging specific process data and external inputs such as rainfall, electricity
prices and effluent regulations.

Greater Copenhagen, Denmark

Operators now possess the tools and knowledge to manage the complexities of treatment
effectively, setting targets in real-time that balance priorities such as cost efficiency, capacity
utilisation, compliance and climate impact.

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CASESA digital twin to support
wastewater treatment operations
Gruppo CAP has implemented DHI’s TwinPlant at the Bresso-Niguarda wastewater treatment
plant located near Milano, Italy. This is part of a digitalisation plan aimed at optimising operations
through real-time data and advanced process modelling. TwinPlant integrates online sensors
and process models, allowing continuous evaluation of performance and identification ofstrategies to improve efficiency, energy use and resource recovery.

CONTRIBUTORSDHI and Grupo CAP

LOCATION
DHI’s MIKE OPERATIONS platform collects, stores and validates sensor data, while a plant-wide
WEST model describes treatment processes and estimates energy balance. The graphical dash­board offers access to measurements, simulation results and comparisons of operational
strategies using customised KPIs. TwinPlant predicts plant performance in real-time, enabling
operators to test and evaluate conditions and strategies in a virtual environment.

Milano, Italy

Results have included fast integration of online data and process models, identification of
optimal operational strategies through scenario analysis and a user-friendly dashboard that
supports scenario execution and displays KPIs. This helps operators visualise operations
against model predictions, implement strategies through SCADA and verify system
performance, enhancing overall performance.

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER

CHAPTER 6

Treating and recirculating
industrial wastewater
Both industries and public utilities are increasing their focus
on improving discharge water quality, removing harmful
substances and recirculating treated wastewater. The threatof toxic substances and the revised EU directive on urban
wastewater are key factors driving innovation.

Water recycling is becoming more relevant with the growing scarcity of water resources combined with increasing
demand for water. Industry water consumption accounts
for more than 50 percent of the EU’s total annual abstraction and industrial wastewater presents a mounting challenge to municipal treatment facilities due to its diverse
range of toxins, temperature fluctuations, pH imbalances
and the sheer volume and variety of hazardous substances
it contains.
Wastewater from food and beverage industries is generally
well suited for centralised treatment since it is often rich ineasily degradable organic compounds, which provide nutrients for the growth of microorganisms and thereby enhance
the biological processes. On the other hand, wastewaterfrom various manufacturing processes, like pharmaceutical,
electroplating, petrochemical and textile production, hasa much more complex composition and often includes substances that do not respond to biological treatment.
Potential for savings and innovation
A recent study showcases the enormous potential of reducing, reusing and reclaiming industrial water in the production of food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and otherlight industries. The water saving potential of circularity
is estimated to be 50-70 percent of the industry’s current
water consumption, proving both an economic and ecologic benefit. Additionally, industries are under pressure todevelop innovative solutions to use technical water, that is,water unfit for human consumption. This technical water,sourced from alternative sources such as treated municipal wastewater, can be used in applications where drinking
water quality is not imperative.
Utilities investing
Many utilities are looking into investing in a fourth treatment step to remove cosmetic and medicinal residues.
As briefly mentioned in chapter 1, this development isdriven by the revised EU directive on urban wastewater
treatment, which, amongst others, imposes the fourth stepto all wastewater treatment plants above 150,000 PE andwastewater treatment plants above 10,000 PE discharging
to sensitive areas by 2045. For industrial wastewater stemming from the cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies,
a minimum of 80 percent of the costs for this fourth step
must be covered by the companies themselves. In the new
EU directive proposal, extended producer responsibility
is put on these industries giving them clear incentives todevelop more degradable products and invest in the optimisation of their own wastewater treatment, which some
Danish corporations have already initiated.
Proposed ban on PFAS
PFAS has also become a growing headache driving innovation. To prevent future pollution, an EU ban on 10,000
different PFAS substances, the so-called 'forever chemicals', seems to be on its way. This ban has been proposed
by Denmark alongside Germany, the Netherlands, Norway
and Sweden.

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CASES

ReUse: recycling of resources fromindustrial wastewater streams
Today, many companies pay wastewater treatment plants to get rid of their industrial wastewater, but often the water contains resources that could be usedby the company itself or others. Examples of wasted resources can be hotprocess water, cooling water, residues, soap and other cleaning chemicals. It
is important to capture the resources before being mixed with other products
which complicates the resource extraction.
Addressing this issue, a large consortium along with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency is investing approximately EUR 12 million to show how
resources in industrial wastewater can be mapped, valued and utilised for the
benefit of Danish companies’ business and the circular economy. The aim of
the initiative is to extract at least half of a resource currently discharged fromthree selected companies and involves mapping the production processes
in the companies to clarify resource flows and thereby identify the hidden
resources. Moreover, resources are prioritised based on technical feasibility
and economic potential, and the most cost-effective solutions for the specificcompany are tested and verified.

CONTRIBUTORSDTI - Danish Technological Institute,
Aquarden, CP Kelco, Hartmann A/S,

Nopa Nordic has already identified several opportunities for recycling bothwater and resources, and the next step is to evaluate the technologies followed by full-scale implementation.

Nopa Nordic, Tetra Pak Filtration,
Silhorko-Eurowater, Viegand
Maagøe and Q-Interline

LOCATION
Aarhus, Denmark

Water and resource recovery in thepharmaceutical industry
The pharmaceutical industry has traditionally prioritised speed-to-market
over environmental sustainability. However, integrating green solutions earlyin the production development phase is crucial.
A significant environmental challenge is the extensive use of non-recycledwater and organic solvents. By incorporating recycling solutions from the design phase, organic solvents and water can be regenerated to meet regulatory
standards, significantly reducing overall usage.
In Phelimin polymer production, substantial water, ethanol and other mate­rials are consumed. To address this, several solutions have been implemented.
A direct filtration unit with PVDF membranes separates the polymer productand recovers synthesis oil, reducing resource consumption. A water treatment
system produces and reuses purified water, with Ultraaqua’s Vacuum-UV-based
advanced oxidation process reducing microorganisms and organic matter. Thissystem also prepares used purified water for reuse in the ultrapure water plant.
Additionally, horizontal distillation technology recycles ethanol, and a reverse
osmosis unit recovers template molecules and phosphate buffer.

CONTRIBUTORSULTRAAQUA, MipSalus
and Process Design A/S

LOCATION
Hørsholm, Denmark

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CASES

Relative Water Consumption (hl/hl) Carlsberg
3.7
3.5
3.3

3.3

3.3

3.4

3.4
3.1

3.1

3.0
2.5

1.7

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

2022

2030

* The data is a reflection on the average performance of the sites Carlsberg had in the reporting year.

Halving water usage at Carlsberg’s
largest brewery in Denmark
A new industrial water recycling plant will turn Carlsberg's largest brewery in Denmark into
the most water efficient brewery in the entire Carlsberg Group, and probably also the world.
Carlsberg’s Fredericia brewery has consistently focused on resource management and water
reduction, but even more advanced water recycling technologies were required to reach theambitious targets set in Carlsberg’s ‘Together Towards ZERO’ programme. Carlsberg decided
to construct a new Total Water Management plant in close cooperation with the consultancy
company NIRAS.
The ambition was to recycle 90 percent of all process water in the facility and halve the overallwater usage from 2.9 to 1.4 hectoliters of water per hectoliter of produced beer, making it Carlsberg’s first brewery to virtually eliminate water waste. The project uses advanced water treatment technologies such as high efficient reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation processes inorder to deliver water of drinking water quality. Grundfos has identified the most optimal pumps
and dosing systems for the entire treatment and purification process, and Grundfos pumps help
along every step of the process covering 95 percent of all pumps on site. Due to the productionof biogas in the pre-treatment step, the plant produces approximately four times the energy
used for the processes.

CONTRIBUTORSNIRAS, Grundfos and Carlsberg

LOCATION
Fredericia, Denmark

Together with NIRAS and with the implementation of efficient technologies, Carlsberg hasachieved a significant reduction in water use at the Fredericia brewery, demonstrating how collaboration and innovative solutions can lead to more efficient water usage. The project will serve
as a learning platform for all Carlsberg breweries worldwide.

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CHAPTER 7

Tackling today's
challenges with theinnovations of tomorrow
Current and future challenges in wastewater treatment include
the handling of xenobiotics such as PFAS, pharmaceuticalsubstances, microplastics, as well as reducing emissions ofgreenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. At thesame time, there is a growing interest in recycling wastewater
as a water resource for Power-to-X plants that requires
ultrapure water.

Innovative solutions for handling contaminants include
advanced technologies such as ozonation, activated carbon filtration, membrane filtration and the like, all of which
are able to remove micropollutants from wastewater. In
addition, there is research into the development of sor­bents and advanced oxidation techniques for the removalof PFAS and medicinal residues.
To mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater,
the capture and utilisation of methane (CH4) as an energy
source in biogas facilities is already underway, particularly
in larger Danish treatment facilities. Efforts are intensifying to optimise this process and prevent CH4 leakage into
the atmosphere. In addition, there are increased efforts
to implement processes that can minimise nitrous oxide(N2O) emissions by optimising purification processes andpossibly finding economically profitable methods for decomposition of the N2O that will still be produced.

To achieve climate neutrality in future wastewater treatment plants, despite increasing demands for enhanced
treatment — which usually requires more energy andchemicals such as activated carbon — introducing carbon
capture technology may be essential. Therefore, carbon
capture systems need to be developed for efficient operation on a relatively small scale, suitable for implementation
at wastewater treatment facilities. A point of awareness isthat CCUS generates wastewater which needs to be treated locally or externally before discharge into a receiving
water body. This requires further innovation and investment.
Powering the future with ultrapure wastewater
In Denmark, Power-to-X (PtX), which is the conversion ofrenewable electricity into a variety of end products (X)via electrolysis, will represent a new large-scale energy
source. However, the electrolysis process in PtX production requires substantial amounts of extremely pure water.

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER

Experts across industries are currently investigating
different water sources, such as contaminated ground­water, surface water, seawater and wastewater, toexamine which have the potential to be treated to an
ultra-pure level and utilised for electrolysis.
Using seawater poses a challenge due to the desalination
process, which produces brine, also known as reject water,and necessitates effective management. Proper rejectwater treatment is crucial, as even a slight increase inwater salinity can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
Sustainable solutions for handling reject water from PtX
production have yet to be developed. Moreover, attention
should also be given to the environmental impact of rejectwater from PtX, which remains unknown and could pose asignificant challenge.
Treated wastewater is another potential water source for
PtX production in Denmark. Advanced treatment proces­ses,

such as advanced oxidation, membrane filtration and biological treatment, are required to remove contaminants likeorganic compounds and nutrients producing high-quality
water suitable for electrolysis. Although the optimal water
source or combination for PtX production remains undetermined, it is clear that the water sector will play a crucial rolein developing Denmark’s PtX infrastructure.
Investing in our future
Fostering innovative solutions is necessary to solve thepresent and future challenges facing our society. Optimising and improving wastewater treatment technologies
and processes depend on investments in research anddevelopment, and collaboration across the water sector.
Investments are already being made, but emphasis should
be on securing a continuous evolvement as these investments are key to securing the water sector’s contribution
to a more sustainable future.

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CASES

Leachate PFAS-removal technologies
from landfills in Odense
In Denmark, landfill leachate treated at municipal wastewater treatment plants is a major PFAS
source, however, the municipal treatment plants are not designed to remove PFAS effectively,
leading to contamination of the aquatic environment. This is also the case for VCS Denmarkthat receives leachate from Odense North Environmental Center (ONEC) at Odense North West
(ONW) wastewater treatment plant.
In 2022, Odense Renovation commissioned Ramboll to conduct a PFAS-mapping at ONEC. This
study included analyses of individual landfill cells and the overall leachate flow over an extended
period. The mapping revealed high concentration variations across landfill cells. The leachatetransported to ONW treatment plant had PFAS22 concentrations ranging from 2,400-8,000 ng/l,
dominated by short-chained PFBS.

CONTRIBUTORS
Ramboll, VCS Denmark,Odense Renovation, ECT2
and Envytech Solution

LOCATION
Odense, Denmark

A year later, a new project to evaluate removal technologies, such as foam fractionation, flocculation with FluorFloc and ion exchange resin, was initiated. So far, the project has shown thatusing foam fractionation and targeted flocculation have varied efficiencies. Foam fractionation
or flocculation alone is insufficient to meet aquatic environment limits, prompting experimentswith ion exchange resin columns, which can achieve very low PFAS levels but are costly due torapid saturation.
The project will continue until late summer 2024.

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CASES

Dynamic overview helps mitigate
H2S challenges in sewer network
Danish water utility Aarhus Vand worried that high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the wastewater collection system in the village of Solbjerg were causing its sewer network to deteriorate
at a faster rate than expected. Without a clear overview, the utility was unable to uncover thecause, magnitude or development of the issue.
In a joint effort, the company SulfiLogger installed 15 liquid-phase SulfiLoggerTM H2S sensors
measuring directly in the untreated sewage in strategic locations in manholes and dischargewells throughout the village. Connected to a cloud solution, all 15 sensors provided online H2S
data in real-time giving Aarhus Vand a reliable and dynamic overview of the situation in theentire village. Data showed that while the daily variations in H2S remained similar, the magnitudeof the daily H2S peaks in a discharge well at the end of a force main from a nearby village varied
significantly between 2 and 4 mg/L.

CONTRIBUTORS
SulfiLogger, Sulfinizer and Aarhus Vand

LOCATION
Solbjerg, Denmark

With solid data confirming Aarhus Vand’s own suspicions of high H2S levels being transported
to the nearby village of Tranbjerg, the utility decided to install a newly-developed filter from
Sulfinizer effectively eliminating the problem. The Sulfinizer filter system is a sustainable solution
based on mussels’ shells which converts H2S into poorly soluble and unproblematic plaster.

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CHAPTER 8

Tap into Danish
water expertiseIn Denmark, we value our water. We care for how we extractit, use it and release it back to nature. We consider water avaluable resource in the circular economy and a contribution
to reaching our energy and climate goals. Above all, we value
water for its potential to improve lives.

Let’s protect our drinking water
Everyone deserves water that is clean and safe to drink.
In Denmark, our drinking water is sourced entirely fromgroundwater. Our strategy is to protect our groundwater
resources and in return, our drinking water only receives
minimal treatment. Most waterworks simply pump, filtrateand distribute it to the consumers. We monitor it carefully
and work to secure clean groundwater for future generations.

Let’s use our wastewater as a resource
Wastewater should no longer be thought of as a problem.
Instead, let’s turn our wastewater treatment plants into
energy and resource recovery facilities, where we canextract phosphorous and produce organic fertiliser andbiogas. In Denmark, we also aim to utilise wastewater
even further up the value chain to produce products suchas biofuels and bioplastics.

Let’s care for every drop
Water is a scarce resource – and every drop counts. We
must make the most of the water we have. In Denmark,we have low levels of water consumption. Benchmarking
measures performed by DANVA based on major water
utilities in Denmark show that the average Dane consumes
just 100 litres a day, our water loss is less than 7 percent
and our industries are increasingly focusing on water
efficiency and reuse in their production. The price is basedon full cost recovery, which ensures a reliable and efficientwater supply 24 hours a day. Now let’s fight to make every
drop count worldwide.

Let’s move towards an energy and climate neutral
water sector
Water plays a key role in creating a sustainable world. It is
important to make sure our water management is sustainable as well. In Denmark, we use a minimum of energy topump and treat water. We work continuously to be energy
efficient and we contribute to a greener and more flexible
energy system by producing energy from wastewater. In
fact, some facilities are now producing more electricity
than they consume. By 2030, the Danish water sector
aims to be energy and climate neutral across the entire
water cycle.

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UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF WASTEWATER

Let’s use rainwater to create resilient and liveable cities
Rainwater can improve urban life if it is managed wisely. In
Denmark, we store and delay rainwater and stormwater inparks, streets and football fields to create both resilient andliveable cities for a growing population. By doing so, we
adapt to the changing climate and weather patterns as wellas increase our biodiversity. So, while we may not be fansof rainy days, we appreciate what rainwater can do for us.
Let’s swim in our city harbours
Water can be used actively in urban development. Waterfront areas and blue-green infrastructure can transformneighbourhoods and create economic growth. By treating
our wastewater and managing our stormwater in underground basins, we have transformed polluted inner-city
harbours into urban oases. So that when the weather permits, you can go swimming in the harbour in Danish cities.

Let’s collaborate and solve the global water challenges
We want to connect, inspire and learn from each other in
global partnerships – and work together to contribute to amore sustainable world. Water is one of our most valuable
resources and it plays into many other agendas such as
adapting to and mitigating climate change and increasing
biodiversity. Through national and global partnerships
across sectors, we can deliver on the UN Sustainable
Development Goals on water and sanitation, affordable andclean energy, sustainable cities and communities and life
on land and under water.
Water is life. And with the right care for water, we can makebetter lives.

From water treatment and supply to wastewater management
and environmental conservation, the Danish water sector
encompasses it all. Dive into our digital visualisation of Denmark’s
water value chain and discover companies and organisations thatspecialise in water-related technology, research and innovation.

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Learn more about Danish water solutions, findmore cases from around the world and connect
with Danish water experts at:stateofgreen.com

STATE OF GREEN IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FUNDED BY:

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