Project description
PRESTO improved the state of local and transnational rivers and the Baltic Sea and increased attractiveness of living environment through transnational investments, education and awareness rising. The project aimed at a significant positive environmental impact by supporting Belarusian cities in their attempt to reach the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan's Recommendation for the more stringent requirements of nutrient removal from their wastewaters. In addition to significant technology transfer, PRESTO increased the competence of operating staff of the waste water treatment plants, plant designers and trainers of future wastewater engineers by organizing courses on modern waste water treatment and showing practical examples of reconstruction projects in their different stages. Also, academic cooperation between technical universities in EU and Belarus was facilitated and common course on modern WWT is developed and piloted.
Activities
- cost efficient and high-impact pilot investments in 3 wastewater treatment plants in Belarus
- improved technological processes in Latvia and Lithuania
- development of educational courses on advanced nutrient removal for future specialists at three technical universities in Brest, Minsk and Novopolotsk
- capacity building through trainings and workshops for operative, administrative and educational experts on modern waste water treatment technologies
- awareness rising about the harmful effects of nutrient enrichment in watercourses
- promotion of good practices in nutrient removal and sustainable sludge handling in the Baltic Sea Region
Results
- decreased transnational nutrient load to the Baltic Sea originating from municipal waste waters by approximately 500 tons per year
- improved water quality of trans boundary River Daugava and River Neman
- increased competence of operating staff of the waste water treatment plants, plant designers and trainers of future wastewater specialists
- increased awareness about the harmful effects of nutrients load in the Baltic Sea Region
- significant technology transfer between EU and Belarus
Funding
Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013
Project information
Saving the Baltic Sea waters – PRESTO! Reducing nutrient pollution from the cities.