Local wastewater treatment supports the reliability of water services. Raita Environment develops solutions for locations that require a high degree of self-sufficiency.
In Finland, the reliability of water services is often associated with large networks and centralized facilities. However, such an approach is not suitable everywhere. In archipelagos, rural areas, and small communities, wastewater can also be treated locally.
Raita Environment, a Finnish environmental technology company, develops wastewater and sludge treatment solutions specifically designed for smaller sites. These systems are intended to operate independently without extensive infrastructure.
– When wastewater and the sludge generated from it are treated close to their source, transportation needs are reduced and the self-sufficiency of the system improves, explains Ilkka Raita, CEO of Raita Environment.
At the same time, transportation-related costs and emissions decrease, while dependence on long transfer pipelines and centralized infrastructure is reduced. Raita Environment brings this approach together under its Eko Smart concept, which evaluates wastewater treatment from a lifecycle perspective rather than focusing solely on initial investment costs.
– Our solutions emphasize long service life and lifecycle cost-efficiency. The systems can remain in operation for up to 50 years, says Raita.
Projects in Åland Demonstrate the Benefits of Local Treatment
According to Raita, the advantages of locally based treatment solutions are particularly evident in environments where water services require self-sufficient systems.
– Small islands in the archipelago are a good example of areas where long distances and limited transport connections create unique requirements for water infrastructure.
Raita Environment has implemented solutions in locations including Kökar and Kumlinge in the Åland Islands. In both projects, the primary objective has been to reduce transportation needs and enable local treatment.
Kökar – A Reliable Solution for Archipelago Conditions
In Kökar, Åland, the wastewater system must serve not only permanent residents but also the growing number of users during the summer season. In this archipelago municipality of approximately 600 permanent residents, treatment is based on biological-chemical purification with capacity designed to accommodate varying demand.
Raita Environment’s solution also includes hydrogen sulfide-free pumping stations that help reduce odors, prevent corrosion, and extend the service life of the system. At the same time, the load on the wastewater treatment plant is reduced.
Hydrogen sulfide control is particularly important in wastewater systems where odors and corrosion can increase maintenance requirements and place a long-term burden on infrastructure.
In Kumlinge, Sludge Is Treated at Its Source
In Kumlinge, the focus has been on local sludge treatment. In the solution installed alongside the wastewater treatment plant, sludge is dried and composted on-site, eliminating the need for transportation to external treatment facilities.
The process reduces sludge volume by up to 98 percent compared with its original volume. The same system can also process sludge from nearby areas, further reducing transportation needs.
The composted sludge can be utilized locally and does not need to be transported, for example, to Mariehamn for further treatment. The solution supports self-sufficiency and reduces dependence on external treatment chains.
Learn more about the Eko Smart approach and our local wastewater and sludge treatment solutions!
