Continuing the project “Safety Plan for Diffuse Pollution Control of Watersheds”, scientists at the RTU Institute of Water Systems and Biotechnology are developing solutions to reduce water pollution.

Within the framework of the project, work is actively underway on the creation of a pilot plant for the reduction of diffuse pollution. Its operating principle is the recovery of nitrogen compounds from sewage sludge compost runoff or infiltrate, using a membrane contactor system. Typically, the infiltrate is returned to the wastewater treatment system in an untreated form, thus creating an additional pollution load on the treatment facilities. As the infiltrate flows through the pilot plant with a selective membrane, the recovery of nitrogen compounds will be achieved. The resulting compound – ammonium sulfate – can be used as fertilizer.

In laboratory conditions, scientists from the Institute of Water Resources and Energy (IWRI) tested the device to verify the efficiency of nitrogen recovery. After successful results, the assembly of the pilot device was started, so that it could soon be installed at the wastewater treatment plant of the project partner SIA “Liepājas ūdens”. It is expected that the installation of the pilot device will help reduce the release of nitrogen compounds into treated wastewater and combat the eutrophication process in the Baltic Sea.

https://centralbaltic.eu/project/wssp/

The project is co-financed by the European Union, its total budget is 2.6 million EUR, the implementation period is 01.05.2024–01.10.2027.

#Interreg #InterregCentralBaltic #WSSP

Our institute’s experts continue their work on developing tools for mitigating diffuse pollution within the framework of the project “Safety Plan for Watershed Diffuse Pollution Control”. Read more about what has been accomplished in the last six months!

Risk map created!

Using geographic information system tools, the risk factors contributing to diffuse pollution in the Liepāja area, in the Cietoksnis Canal catchment area, were assessed. The highest risk of diffuse pollution was found in industrial areas and allotments.

A seminar for target groups has been held!

In cooperation with colleagues from “Liepājas ūdens” at the end of April, we organized an event for the project’s target groups. Representatives of various organizations whose daily work is related to water pollution management participated in the seminar. We presented the sewage sludge compost leachate treatment technology planned in the project and received valuable suggestions for improving the process. Participants engaged in a discussion on the diffuse pollution risk mapping approach and provided comments on the environmental pollution challenges in the mapping area.

Pilot plant tests have begun!

We are conducting laboratory tests on a device that we will soon install in the Liepaja wastewater treatment plant. The technological principle of the pilot device is to obtain ammonium sulfate from compost leachate, thereby reducing the release of nitrogen compounds into the Baltic Sea.

You can follow the latest news on the Interreg Central Baltic Sea Region Programme project “Watershed Safety Plan for Diffuse Pollution Control” (WSSP) here.

The project is co-financed by the European Union, the total budget is 2.6 million EUR, the implementation period is 01.05.2024–01.10.2027.

#Interreg #InterregCentralBaltic #WSSP

Water Systems and Biotechnology Institute is excited to announce the date of our annual seminar “Bioenergy Technologies and Biotechnologies” that is held as a side event of The 66th International Scientific conference of Riga Technical University.

This year the event is extended to 2 days and will be held from 16th to 17th October, 2025 in RTU conference room “Moon”. .

The seminar will combine oral presentations with a dedicated poster session and 2 workshops for both students and academics. The key topics of this year are:

• Water and Wastewater technologies

• Biotechnology and Bioengineering

• Bioenergy and biomass valorization

• Future technologies

The final programme of the seminar will be available here in Latvian and English by 10.10.2025.

Please Register here by 1st October.

Those who aim to present the deadline is 25.09.2025. to be included in the official Programme of RTU 66th International Scientific Conference.

Certificates of participation will be available upon request!

Seminar supported by project No. 5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/003 (grant No.RTU-PA-2024/1-0068) – Implementation of consolidation and management changes at RTU, LiepU, Rēzekne Academy of Technology and Latvian Maritime Academy and Liepāja Maritime College for progress towards excellence in higher education, science and innovation

The visit of USA professors to RTU is organized with the financial support of BAFF – Baltic American Freedom Foundation.

This year we have three topics, and each of them will have a separate sessions in the seminar:

• Water and wastewater technologies
• Biotechnology and bioengineering
• Bioenergy and biomass valorization

We would also like to welcome students in these fields to participate in the poster session, which will also be a part of the seminar.

All conference presenters should submit an extended abstract until the 30th of September via e-mail to Alise-Anna.Stipniece-Jekimova@rtu.lv that will be published in the Book of Abstracts indexed with an e-ISSN number. The template for the extended abstract is available for downloading here. Abstract book 2023 is available here.

The registration for presenters will be closing on 27th of September, seminar listeners can register until 10th of October. Registration is available here.