Stormwater purification with construction and demolition waste

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Finland-Estonia-Latvia-Sweden (Central Baltic)

Date of latest update: 2025-01-21

Description

Description (EN):

For each Baltic Sea country, the quality of the Baltic Sea is of fundamental economic, environmental and recreational importance. Contaminated stormwater generated both in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea and the leaching from inland waters produces a risk that should not go unnoticed. However, it is often still overlooked and requires solutions. At the same time, old buildings are demolished in Baltic cities, creating huge amounts of construction and demolition waste (CDW) which is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfills. However, CDW may be used as stormwater filtering material, with very low cost. The StoPWa project develops and tests multilayer stormwater filtration systems using CDW. The filters will be made of waste fractions perfectly meeting the criteria ideal for stormwater purification. The filtration system will be expedient, cost-efficient and sustainable. The filters will be tested both in laboratory environments and in field tests where full-scale stormwater filters will be constructed in Lahti (Finland), in Harju County (Estonia) and in Smiltene (Latvia). The result of the StoPWa project is a tested solution for using CDW in stormwater filters. This type of filter has not been applied before, so the mindset and solution are novel. The new filter will benefit SMEs across borders in creating a business idea and opportunities, as well as cities and municipalities with a new, climate-friendly solution to stormwater treatment. To be replicable in different cities and environments from local CDW, waste-based filters in their design and implementation require cross-border cooperation between municipalities and researchers in the Baltic Sea region. The project partnership is: City of Lahti, LUT University, University of Helsinki, Tallinn University of Technology, Union of Harju County Municipalities and Smiltene Municipality.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Project orientation, organization and internal communication: Kick-off meeting with 18 participants was held onsite in June in Lappeenranta, Finland. Internal communication and information sharing in the project is done via online (Teams) meetings, Teams channels, OneNote and email. The first Steering Group meeting was held online in June. A separate workshop on Jems reporting procedures was organized by LP1 in September to StoPWa project managers and project assistants (financial staff). Mapping of the quality and quantity of CDW available in partner countries: Information about the generated amount (tn) as well as material content (%) of demolition waste (CDW) per year in Finland and Latvia has been collected. Moreover, the annual waste generation divided into the EWC-Stat categories in Finland is also provided. Detailed information on CDW production annual amount in Latvia is also collected and categorized by waste class and code. The corresponding statistical information from Estonia is in progress. Comparison of data from three countries gives insight on the magnitude of the waste problem, the differences in registering and classifying produced waste in different countries, and the challenges faced in recycling CDW. Characterization of CDW fractions: A total of seven waste management and recycling companies were contacted in Period 1. In Lahti, material samples of CDW (concrete and mixed waste) were collected from three waste management companies. In Tallinn, also three CDW recycling companies were visited for sample collection in June. In Smiltene, material samples were collected from one company. Samples of different materials and size fractions were selected to be sent to LUT university (PP2) for treatment and analysis. The material characterization by LUT University will give an answer to what kind of CDW materials are available in the project participating areas (Finland, Estonian and Latvia). The quality and composition of received samples were analyzed and the achieved results were informed to other partners. The processability of material was also studied by e.g. size reduction actions with a hammer mill. A total of eight samples of different materials and size fractions were analyzed and pretreated. The samples were sent to UH (PP3) for further analyses. UH developed a testing system for extraction of chemicals from the samples. Preliminary results of the laboratory analyses were available in September. TalTech designed and assembled two laboratory-scale CDW-biofilter reactors to test the filtering and adsorption properties of CDW materials. Mapping of the quality and quantity of stormwater in the planned field test sites: Information (catchment area, land use etc.) on the planned field test sites in three countries were acquired from documents, meetings and site visits. A background report of the field test site in Lahti was introduced to researchers of PP3. Lahti has also coordinated the criteria for field test sites in different countries to make them comparable for the study. TalTech and HOL have mapped and visited five different potential locations for pilot site in Rae municipality, Estonia. The most suitable site was selected (Tähnase tee T5) in co-operation with TalTech, HOL, Rae municipality and AS Elveso. Smiltene visited potential locations for pilot site within Smiltene area and decided to pilot CDW biofilters in Old park, Smiltenes novads. Information (calculation) on the storm water volumes in the catchment area was provided to the project partners. Output 1.1 Collaboration with waste collector companies: A total of seven waste management companies were contacted (3 in Lahti, 3 in Tallinn, 1 in Smiltene). Project’s objectives and associated CDW recycling possibilities were presented to these companies. Communication: All Partners have prepared a project webpage on their organisation’s website and displayed a printed or digital poster in their premises. General powerpoint presentations were made to be used in stakeholder and target group collaboration. City/municipality authorities, waste collector companies and Partners were communicated through face-to-face and online meetings, and by visits to recycling plants and field sites. The project was presented in Nordic Filtration Symposium (NoFS), in three Finnish newspapers and in a meeting of Estonian regional development organisations. In addition, a StoPWa LinkedIn page was created. WP1 The data on amount and composition of construction and demolition waste (CDW) were acquired and completed from statistical databases and publications from Finland, Latvia and Estonia. In Lahti region, the amounts of recycled CDW were compiled on a company and municipality level in years 2020-2022. A second round of CDW material samples were collected for further characterisation and starting of filter fabrications trials (agglomeration). A total of six different material samples (e.g. miscellaneous CDW, concrete, ceramics) were investigated for their characteristics that are essential for crafting a new filter material and adsorption capacity (particle size distribution, specific surface area, elemental composition). CDW material samples were analysed for nutrient and metal contents using leaching tests. Monthly project meetings and four additional meetings were held to discuss the details of treatment methods of CDW fractions. A protocol for sampling and analysis of stormwater quality at the field pilot sites was prepared. Data on the characteristics of the catchment areas of all three field sites was collected locally. Smiltene and TalTech also sampled the baseline stormwater quality at their sites. In the project meeting in Tallinn in March, topics concerning the field pilots were discussed (land use data, LCA, information exchange, visits etc.). WP2 Activities in ideation and development of the biofilter construction included a review report of pre-treatment actions (size reduction, screening, separation methods) available for processing CDW materials. The leaching tests and analyses of metals and nutrients from 12 size-separated CDW samples were also done. Arrangements to test laboratory-scale biofilters were set up both in UH and TalTech. A relevant composition of simulated stormwater for laboratory studies was discussed in email threads and meetings. Processing of CDW fractions to filter materials has been started with tests to make agglomerates out of fine CDW material by applying friction and heat. First material samples were produced at the end of Period 2. Regarding the field pilots, the first meeting with the infra planning authorities of the city of Lahti was held in January 2024. A request for tenders of technical planning of the stormwater pilot was prepared, and a separate meeting concerning the environmental permits was held. Test site in Estonia in Rae Municipality was chosen by HOL and TalTech. HOL has communicated with Rae municipality concerning the need of permits. Water volume and quality is being analyzed in different seasons. Gathering background information, and mapping potential stakeholders and contractors are ongoing. Smiltene Municipality has selected the site, and the procurement, collection of data, and drafting the design are underway. A three-day project event was organized in Tallinn on 12.-14.3.2024 for project staff and target groups. In the meeting, project progress, results and future plans were presented by Partners followed by group discussions. In addition, we visited one of Tallin's waste collection centers, a demolition waste recycling plant and TalTech laboratories. The project group accompanied with target groups from Rae municipality, Tallinn and Smiltene visited also the field site in Rae municipality. WP3 Sustainability assessment has started in the project by PP2 with a literature study of existing stormwater treatment and purification processes. A study plan and protocol of how to produce a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the stormwater management process has been prepared. The LCA will compare four scenarios (baseline, bio-retention rain garden, sand filter and StoPWa-concept) in terms of sustainability. The goal, scope and functional unit of LCA were developed by brainstorming in the project meeting in Tallinn. The role of Partners is to provide necessary sustainability information, such as CO2 emissions, for LCA. Communication Project’s communication plan and templates for reporting were updated by LP1. Information and events are posted on LinkedIn. The Steering Group had a second meeting on 9.10.2023. Partners have organised local meetings with waste companies, municipalities and other stakeholders. StoPWa project was presented at a seminar of Estonian Municipalities on 11.04.2024. Internal project meetings have been arranged once a month and topical meetings between selected parties have been held as necessary.

Project outputs: Collaboration with waste collector companies in the identification and sampling of possible CDW fractions in Finland, Estonia and Latvia

(EN)
Testing and experimentation of the new CDW stormwater biofilter in the pilot scale and in field test basins in Lahti, Rae Municipality (Harju County) and Smiltene Municipality(EN)
Cooperation with stakeholders regarding the reuse of the stormwater filter(EN)
Cooperation with stakeholders in CDW biofilter business models (EN)
Website: https://centralbaltic.eu/project/stopwa/

Thematic information

Water management New products and services

Priority: (VI-A_CB_P2) Improved environment and resource use

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 064 Water management and water resource conservation (including river basin management, specific climate change adaptation measures, reuse, leakage reduction)

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Lahden kaupunki

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI01496693

Department: Carbon Neutral Construction Development Center / Competence and Economic Development Services

Address: Kirkkokatu, FIN-15101 Lahti, Finland

Department address: Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.lahti.fi/en

Total budget: EUR 517 781.15

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 414 224.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 103 556.23

Contractors:

Name: Sitowise Oy
VAT registration or tax identification number: FI23354450

Smiltenes novada pašvaldība

Name: Smiltenes novada pašvaldība

Partner’s ID if not PIC: Registration number 90009067337

Address: Darza street, LV4729 Smiltene, Latvia

Department address: Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://smiltenesnovads.lv

Total budget: EUR 309 580.89

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 247 664.71

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 61 916.18

Contractors:

Name: RE Mērnieks, SIA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1545.60
Name: BIOR
VAT registration or tax identification number: LV90009235333

Harjumaa Omavalitsuste Liit

Name: Harjumaa Omavalitsuste Liit

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EE101356705

Address: Sirge tn , 10618 Tallinn, Estonia

Department address: Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.hol.ee

Total budget: EUR 372 499.01

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 297 999.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 74 499.81

Tallinna Tehnikaülikool

Name: Tallinna Tehnikaülikool

Department: Department of Materials and Environmental Technology/Laboratory of Environmental Technology Department of Geology / Mining and Mineral Technology

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EE100224841

Address: Ehitajate tee , 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

Department address: Estonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.taltech.ee

Total budget: EUR 489 616.66

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 391 693.32

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 97 923.34

Helsingin yliopisto

Name: Helsingin yliopisto

Department: Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI03134717

Address: PL 4, Yliopistonkatu 3, 00014 Helsingin Yliopisto (Helsinki), Finland

Department address: Niemenkatu , 15140 Lahti, Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.helsinki.fi

Total budget: EUR 347 360.13

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 277 888.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 69 472.03

LUT-yliopisto

Name: LUT-yliopisto

Department: Department of Separation Science and Fiber Composite Laboratory

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FI02459042

Address: Yliopistonkatu , 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Department address: Finland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.lut.fi

Total budget: EUR 550 518.51

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 440 414.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 110 103.71

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Stormwater purification with construction and demolition waste

Project acronym: StoPWa

Project ID: CB0100091

Project start date: 2023-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

The Environmental Technology Laboratory of TalTech works on water treatment and has long-time expertise in various technologies and applications. The lab developed expertise in micropollutants abatement and analysis, heavy metals adsorption, oxidation by-products identification, and, more importantly, experience in wastewater biological treatment. (EN) | This work has been published in several articles (can be sent to the evaluators if needed). The results and findings from this previous research will be built on and utilized in the StoPWa project. (EN), LUT University is well known for creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the challenges of circular economy through its excellency in e.g. utilisation of industrial side streams and CDW materials in various applications. (EN) | The StoPWa project will strengthen and broaden this existing knowhow and the main goal is to develop new types of processing methods to increase the value chain of construction and demolition waste and create new products. The goal is also to develop waste-based raw materials for new added-value products that have real market demand. Creating more valuable products would, in turn, promote sorting by increasing demand for the raw materials. (EN), UH has had a long tradition in quantifying, qualifying and treating stormwater at both small (in vitro) and large (in situ) scale. However, thus far the crucially important concept of recycling the filtering material has remained unexplored. (EN) | Collaboration with the other project partners – from the provision of the test material to screening out the ones with best adsorptive/absorptive capacities - opens a new avenue at this front. Herein the multifaceted environmental problems are transferrable to commodities that hopefully serve not only the Baltic Sea, its catchments but also the people inhabiting these areas. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 587 356.35

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 069 885.05

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 069 885.05. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Estimation of suitable raw materials available (Report including calculation of useful materials)
Recommendation of CDW materials for stormwater biofilters (report)
Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the watershed at the field test sites
Planned communication and dissemination tasks completed
Recommendations for the pre-treatment and separation methods of CDW fractions
Laboratory-scale CDW-biofilters
Testing CDW-biofilters in laboratory with simulated stormwater: report
Recommendations for the field test CDW-biofilters’ design and operation parameters
List of filter-compatible fractions not releasing toxicants
Recipe for mixtures with suitable drainage capacity
Layout plans for different biofilter structures on pilot and field test scale.
Production of the filter element prototypes
Testing of the filter element prototypes
Qualitative and quantitative estimate of pilot CDW-biofilters’ performance: report + recommendations
Contaminant removal performance
Data on optimized microbial composition
Preserved filter material used as inocula for field tests and as starters for later applications
Comparison of tested systems and recommendations of stormwater purification system(s)
Recommendations from field testing based on local conditions
Scientific support of CDW-biofilters’ performance: report
Planned communication and dissemination tasks completed.
Clogging tendency of mixes and cassette material tested
Cleaning methods for CDW mixes and for cassettes
Concept for restoration of CDW mixes and cassettes
Ways to close the loop for spent filters
Workshops with stakeholders on utilizing spent filtering aid
Entrepreneurship program on CDW material circularity
Life Cycle Assessment of the stormwater filtration configurations
Planned communication and dissemination tasks completed.
Business models on the CDW usage
Series of workshops on business models
Summary report: Is stormwater filtration with CDW a good deal?
Stormwater Best Practices Handbook (publication)
Planned communication and dissemination tasks completed.

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The StoPWa project targets the Policy Area Nutri – Reducing nutrient inputs to the sea of the EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region. More specifically, the project targets PA Nutri’s Action 2 on reducing nutrient emissions from urban areas and other point sources. With the creation of an innovative, effective and affordable stormwater filtration system which is made out of recycled CDW and can be recycled again after purification, the project offers the cities and counties around the Baltic Sea area a new, more climate-friendly solution to urban water management. This solution directly reduces nutrient emissions from urban areas and other point sources to the sea and hence contributes to achieving the objectives of the EUSBSR. If funded, the project will contact the Policy Area Coordinator to begin cooperation, ensure that the activities support the strategy’s objectives in the best possible manner and to find new channels for dissemination of project outputs and possibly also relevant cooperation partners in the Baltic Sea area.
Other EU Circular Economy Action Plan (March, 2020)
As stated in The EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the construction sector is responsible for over 35% of the EU’s total waste generation. To increase material efficiency, a Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment will be launched by the EU. This strategy will promote circularity principles by e.g. revising the material recovery targets set in EU legislation for construction and demolition waste and its material-specific fractions. The StoPWa project will contribute to the Action Plan and upcoming strategy by promoting a new solution to recycling and utilizing construction and demolition waste in new products, thus increasing material efficiency, and decreasing the amount of landfilled waste.
Other Häme Water Management Action Plan 2022-2027
The Action Plan relates the current status of the surface and ground waters in the Region of Häme, the challenges in water management and looks for solutions to them. Several actions are listed to improve the condition of water bodies in the region. One of the goals of the Action Plan is to enhance the management and treatment of stormwaters which the StopWa project offers a new eco-friendly and effective solution to.
Other Smart Specialisation Strategy in Päijät-Häme Region
The cross-cutting theme is of the strategy is sustainability and green transition which is at the heart of the StoPWa project. The development work implemented in international projects where local actors take part in should have sustainability as a guiding principle. The strategy points out that the region’s education and RDI activities are first-class in terms of sustainability and design, and these strengths will be utilized in this project.
Other City of Lahti Strategy for 2030 “Enduring Change”.
Lahti aims to be carbon-neutral by 2025 and offers an internationally interesting environment for the creation of smart and sustainable solutions and business. As a growing university city, Lahti wants to work together with its universities and companies, supporting their growth.
Other Harju County development strategy 2035+ (+ action plan)
The ongoing renewal process of the strategy aims to define sustainable development goals. Among main topics for local governments are circular economy and community water supply and stormwater treatment systems. The StoPWa project actions will directly contribute to these by creating a new solution to stormwater treatment which utilizes CDW and thus increases circular economy.
Other National climate change adaptation development plan up to 2030 (Estonia)
The strategic objective of the Climate Change Adaptation Development Plan is to increase the readiness and capacity of the Estonian national, regional and local level to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The document identified flooding in Estonia, distinguishing between those with significant adverse effects flooding and identified the flooding-related risks and risk areas. The StoPWa project develops and tests a stormwater filter with which the risks of polluting floodwater can be mitigated.
Other Sustainable development strategy until 2035 (+ action plan) (Smiltene)
The Sustainable Development Strategy of Smiltene Municipality from 2022 is a long-term spatial development planning document that sets out the long-term development vision for Smiltene Municipality, where one of the long-term strategic goals is sustainable and quality living environment - to make Smiltene a climate-neutral region and sustainable in the use of resources. Nature and environment values are preserved for future generations.
Other Covenant of Mayors (Smiltene)
The Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy was signed on the basis of a decision of the City Council on 30 November 2016.By signing the Covenant of Mayors, Smiltene Municipality committed to reduce CO2 emissions in its territory by at least 40% by 2030 with the aim to increase resilience by adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Eesti (EE), Jüri, Aruküla tee , 22, 75305
Latvija (LV), Smiltene, Krasotaju street , 3A
Suomi/Finland (FI), Lahti, Puustellintie , 4-6, 15150

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO81) Participations in joint actions across borders: 7.0

Programme Result Indicator:

PSR4 The number of improved urban and agricultural load sources, Measurement unit: number of load sources

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Finland-Estonia-Latvia-Sweden (Central Baltic)

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-01-21

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

63 / 63 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

251 / 251 (100%)

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Stormwater purification with construction and demolition waste

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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