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[...]HUBER SE receives order for the largest sewage treatment plant in Northern Ireland With its 280,000 inhabitants Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is the second largest city on the island of Ireland. Situated at the mouth of the river Lagan in the Bay of Belfast the city represents one of Northern Ireland's 26 administrative districts. Three of the six million Irishmen live in the Dublin-Belfast corridor, along the motorway. In 2011, HUBER SE supplied already the complete mechanical pre-treatment equipment for Dublin, the biggest city on the island of Ireland. Now we have received the order to supply the equipment for the large sewage treatment works Belfast in two phases. The project comprises six HUBER Wash Press units of the biggest available size WAP/SL/12. Phase 1: Stormwater Tunnel The first phase "Stormwater Tunnel" was already completed successfully in November 2009. In order to eliminate flooding within the city, Northern Ireland Water started work on building the sewer in 2006. It involved taking the combined sewers from the whole of the city to channel this to a common facility located at and on the city’s WwTW. It was a 40 m deep sewer holding 85,000 m3 of waste water, 9.4 km long with 19 access shafts located about the city. At the end of this tunnel the terminal pumping station in a large 40 m deep chamber complete with pumps to take excess flow back into the inlet works. Flows in excess of this however were to be screened using 2 off new 12 m diameter 6 mm drum screens screening 12,000 l/sec each. In this first stage of completion, two Wash Press WAP® SL 12 units with a throughput capacity of 15 m³/h raw screenings each (redundant design) were installed successfully. The Wash Press units are fed via a launder channel system. The great advantage of this system is that complex transportation ways can be designed very easily and with a high operating reliability. The flushing water is also used as wash water for the Wash Press. The HUBER Launder Channel for complex transportation ways, type HLC, ensures reliable feeding of the WAP® SL wash presses. The very high screenings treatment standards are fully met with 35% DS content being achieved with < 20 mg BOD / g DS. Phase 2: Main Inlet Works After the successful completion of the stormwater tunnel project the client’s next task was to look at upgrading the main inlet works at this site. Based on the outstanding success of the HUBER WAP® SL units installed, the end-client was happy to work with HUBER to engineer a solution to meet both a high flow requirement as well meet very tight and difficult hydraulic constraints on site. Managing the large elevated structure, as well as meeting the requirement to phase the installation, was of paramount importance to the client. If this was not undertaken correctly then severe overtopping and pollution issues could arise. Different design options were presented to the client, and after numerous site visits and design review meetings a solution was eventually agreed. This comprised of the supply of 6 off RakeMax® screens, 2,152 mm wide, 50 mm bar spacing coarse screens, followed by 6 off EscaMax® 2,252 mm wide, 6 mm perforated plate fine screens with each bank of screens having dedicated duty / standby WAP® SL size 12 screenings handling units installed (4 off in total) each unit, uprated to give a maximum of 15 m³/hr raw screenings. Like in first project phase, a launder channel system is again used to remove the screenings into the Wash Press units. The phased installation and commissioning of the units is well underway and is due to be complete very soon. The work so far has gone to plan and the feedback from the first phase of the installation shows the project is a great success.[...]

[...]Munich, Germany Climate-neutral, solar sewage sludge drying is a globally used and proven technology to reduce the amount of sludge produced by all kinds of wastewater treatment plants in a sustainable and resource-saving way. Solar drying not only reduces the mass by approx. 70%, the dried sludge is also stable and odourless and opens up various disposal options. Solar sewage sludge drying reduces costs over the long term. HUBER will exhibit the HUBER Sludge Turner FloorRunner for the first time in Munich at the IFAT, the world's leading trade fair for environmental, water and wastewater management. This is the fifth further development of the well-known HUBER Sludge Turner Solstice®. Reduced plant costs The special feature of the new machine is the elimination of the lateral concrete travelling walls. The HUBER Sludge Turner FloorRunner travels directly on the floor. This further development reduces the costs of the entire plant. Further development and advantages The machine only requires a level concrete slab on which special stop brackets are fixed. The use of stop brackets made from standard steel parts makes installation and alignment easier and improves quality. The timing of the process can be customised. The brackets can be fitted before, during or after the machine is installed. The new design leads to reduced assembly times, which are significantly shortened due to the elimination of the carriageway walls. No change to the proven operation The actual and proven operation of the machine remains unchanged: With only two motors and optional sludge granulation by means of a blade, the HUBER Sludge Turner FloorRunner can process drying beds of up to 150 m in length and offers the full range of functions of the previous machine. The specific backmixing for more efficient drying, the sludge transport and the complete turning of the entire sludge bed remain the same. The entire system can be operated fully automatically in a user-friendly manner. Exhibit The exhibit at the trade fair shows a section of the machine. At IFAT 2024 in Munich, visitors can get their own impression of the further developed HUBER Sludge Turner for the first time and get advice from the HUBER experts at the exhibition stand. Prototype The prototype of the HUBER Sludge Turner FloorRunner is already running at the HUBER headquarters in Berching/Erasbach. The further developed version will be tested down to the last detail on a newly constructed test site and will be firmly established on the market following the successful endurance test. The further developed HUBER system now makes it even easier to actively contribute to environmental protection in an ecologically and economically sensible way.[...]

[...]Manholes fulfil an important task in water supply and wastewater disposal. They are used for example where shut-off fittings in pipelines must be accessible, or to control sections of very long pipelines, and for aeration/deaeration or access to complex installations (e.g. well shafts, pressure reduction shafts, and many other). Safe access must be ensured in each individual application. The operators of manhole structures are responsible themselves for the security of their manholes! Operating staff has to observe numerous instructions that should avoid accidents if applied correctly. Any work to be executed in manholes must be done by two persons. For security reasons, one person must stay outside the manhole. Most of the manholes are entered from the top. This means that operating staff must open a cover and climb into the manhole via a certified climbing system combined with a suitable, also certified entrance aid. They must bend over the manhole opening already when opening the cover. The installation of antifall guards can prevent accidents and provides a reliable protection against falling when opening manhole covers. The guards can be closed to secure the opening while working inside for a longer time. Nevertheless, the guards are designed to let in enough daylight. The antifall guards are dowelled into the manhole neck below the manhole cover and snap in automatically when opened. Due to their special design they provide sufficient stability to prevent that anyone can fall down. Such antifall guards can any time be retrofitted into existing manholes.[...]

[...]Germany In times of global uncertainty, rising raw material prices and growing environmental requirements, the recycling of plastics is becoming increasingly important. However, producing new materials from fossil fuels is often still cheaper than recycling. This makes the quality of the recycled material and the cost-effectiveness of the entire plastic recycling process all the more crucial. This is precisely where HUBER comes in. Our technologies for treating process water and sludge provide the basis for sustainable and economical recycling processes. Advantages of HUBER technology based on customer feedback HUBER offers a comprehensive range of machines and plants for the treatment of process water and sludge, which is a major advantage over many competitors. This is a significant benefit for planners, consultants, and manufacturers of plastics machinery. They have a single point of contact, a specialist, who can cover all their water treatment requirements. The wide range of variants in the HUBER portfolio also enables high throughput rates with just one machine (e.g. 350 m³/h per flotation unit). Highest quality and materials HUBER relies on the highest quality stainless steel for its products and solutions, which are fully acid-treated in a pickling bath. This ensures durability and process reliability. HUBER Global Service Another key advantage is that HUBER offers global service through its subsidiaries, representative offices and partners, supported by four international production sites. This ensures rapid support even outside Europe. Operating experience in plastics recycling As one of many examples, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance plastic films relies on HUBER technology at several of its sites, including locations in Sweden and France. They recycle agricultural and construction films are recycled there. HUBER machines used HUBER Complete Plant ROTAMAT ® Ro5 Reliably removes contaminants such as plastic particles and grit. Simultaneous compaction significantly reduces disposal costs. HUBER Dissolved Air Flotation Plant HDF with DIGIT-DOSE chemical dosing The clear water can be reused in the recycling process and as process water for the HUBER machinery. The intelligent DIGIT-DOSE system simultaneously reduces both precipitant consumption and sludge volume – a clear advantage over competing products. Throughput: 150 m³/h – one HUBER unit can replace up to three flotation units from other suppliers. HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS ® Fully automatic, continuous dewatering with minimal energy consumption (<1 rpm thanks to IE4 drive). In contrast to centrifuges or chamber filter presses, personnel costs, downtime and wear are greatly reduced. The press water produced is directly reprocessed via the HUBER flotation unit – a closed water cycle. Customer satisfaction Thanks to high efficiency and a single point of contact, the customer plans to equip future sites, including in the USA and Denmark, with HUBER machines. Cooperation with manufacturer of plastic recycling machines A manufacturer of plastic recycling machines relies on HUBER technology as standard for the treatment of process water and sludge. Machines used: HUBER Drum Screen RoMesh ® Removes fine solids from the process water. The integrated rinsing system enables operation without the need for any fresh water supply. HUBER Dissolved Air Flotation Plant HDF and HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS® These machines deliver above-average results in terms of separation performance, operating costs and maintenance requirements. According to customer feedback, they are significantly more efficient than competing products. Additional customer benefits Technical expertise remains with the respective experts Synergies in joint tenders Only one contact person for multiple processes Reliable on-site service through the HUBER partner network Most efficient flotation on the market Excellent filtrate quality Minimal personnel and maintenance costs Unbeatable after-sales support – global and fast High-quality design as the basis for long service life Summary HUBER offers the plastics recycling sector not only individual machines, but complete, well-thought-out solutions. Through high-quality technology, energy efficiency, a global service network and in-depth application knowledge, HUBER creates clear added value for machine manufacturers, operators and planners, while also making an important contribution to a sustainable recycling management.[...]

[...]Kodersdorf, Germany Kodersdorf in Saxony is located on the White Schöps River and is characterised by a charming landscape, nestled between the Königshainer Mountains and the Upper Lusatian pond landscape in the vicinity of Görlitz. The sewage treatment plant in the industrial area has a capacity of 7,500 PE and aerobic sludge stabilisation. The plant was expanded from 4,500 PE to 7,500 PE in 2023. The expansion of capacity also necessitated the construction of a second sludge storage facility and a stationary sludge dewatering system. To ensure efficient sludge disposal for the future, the sewage treatment plant was equipped with a solar sludge drying system. Premiere of the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® FloorRunner With this plant concept, the municipality of Kodersdorf is building a system that enables unmanned, autonomous operation thanks to full automation. The plant must be monitored, adjusted and maintained, but no personnel are required for actual operation. The entire process flow is automated, from thin sludge to dry granulate. Automation reduces the workload for operating personnel. In times of skilled labour shortages, the automated sludge treatment in Kodersdorf is therefore future-proof. The plant can be operated either directly via the HMI touch panels on the plant itself, or via screen redirection to on-site end devices. Details of the process Efficient sludge dewatering with the HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS® In Kodersdorf, a HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS® 440 dewaters almost 150 tonnes of dry matter to approx. 20–23% dry residue. The annual 730 tonnes of dewatered sewage sludge are conveyed by a HUBER Screw Conveyor Ro8 TSF to the solar sewage sludge dryer. Optimal drying thanks to intelligent system design There, the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® FloorRunner, which is movable on a newly developed steel angle construction, distributes the sludge over a 660 m² drying area. The drying area is housed in a 68 m long and 12 m wide greenhouse construction equipped with controlled fans. By turning the sludge with the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® FloorRunner, combined with the air turbulence from the fans and the accumulated heat in the greenhouse, as well as direct sunlight on the surface, the sludge dries to an annual average of over 80% dry residue. With an annual global radiation of approx. 1,085 kWh/m²/a on site, 550 tonnes of water evaporate. At the end, approx. 180 tonnes of dry granulate with a density of approx. 0.8 kg/l remain to be disposed of. Automated sludge removal for efficient further processing The automatic sludge removal system, consisting in a HUBER Screw Conveyor TSD followed by a bucket elevator with distribution, conveys the granulate into two containers. Thanks to the consistent use of the HUBER machine technology, all components of the system are efficiently coordinated with each other. Compactness and functionality through innovative technology Like its predecessor, which required a concrete foundation, the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® FloorRunner is equipped with a double shovel that turns the sludge bed and moves it forward. In order to move material to specific points, the sludge turner also uses the double shovel as a transport vessel. In Kodersdorf, this function is used to place wet sludge feeding and dry sludge removal on the same gable side of the greenhouse. This allowed the greenhouse construction to be extended to the boundary of the sewage treatment plant. The compact design makes optimum use of the available space. HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE® FloorRunner now available worldwide HUBER now offers the SOLSTICE® FloorRunner worldwide. The benchmark status of solar sewage sludge drying with HUBER technology will become even more apparent in the future as the technology continues to develop. Long-term, trouble-free solar drying operation thanks to sophisticated HUBER machine technology will convince customers worldwide. The commissioning of the plant was successfully completed in May 2025. We would like to thank IBOS Engineering, ZV Kodersdorf and Stowasser for their excellent cooperation.[...]

[...]Berching HUBER has been committed to providing innovative wastewater treatment solutions for cruise ships for many years, contributing directly to the protection of the world's oceans. Over 200 HUBER sludge screening and dewatering systems have already been installed for maritime applications. These ‘floating wastewater treatment plants’ are an indispensable part of modern cruise ships, as operating in coastal areas is not permitted without strict compliance with wastewater limits. A team from Wärtsilä Water & Waste in England visited Berching A particular highlight was the operator training course for five operators from Wärtsilä Water Systems Ltd. (UK), a leading global provider of water and wastewater treatment systems for ships with around 1,700 employees. The participants, who were technicians and dispatchers, received targeted training in the installation, commissioning and maintenance of a ROTAMAT® Fine Screen. HUBER screens play a central role in Wärtsilä's wastewater treatment process, which is based on membrane biology. A ROTAMAT® Fine Screen with a mesh size of 0.5 mm housed in a specially designed container reliably protects the sensitive hollow fibre membranes from blockages and damage caused by coarse and foreign matter. This ensures the trouble-free operation of the membrane biology system – and thus reliable compliance with wastewater limits on board. Special requirements at sea The two-day theoretical and practical training course at the HUBER headquarters focused on the unique challenges of treating wastewater at sea: Limited space for installation, inspection and maintenance. 100% wastewater treatment availability required throughout the entire voyage. Fluctuating pollutant loads require highly flexible plant technology. Rolling and tilting movements of the ship make operation and maintenance difficult. Changing operating and maintenance personnel with a wide variety of backgrounds Spare parts supply and technical support are only possible during port layovers. Practical training was carried out on a fine screen specially adapted for ship applications. Direct, constructive feedback from the operators during the training provided valuable input for the further optimisation of this ship design, especially with regard to even greater serviceability and maximum process stability in challenging on-board conditions. Positive conclusion and insights into production One participant summed it up: ‘It was a great experience and all the feedback from everyone who attended has been really positive!’ In addition to the technical training, joint dinners and a factory tour provided comprehensive insights into the HUBER product portfolio and the vertical range of manufacture in Berching. Many thanks to the Wärtsilä team for the constructive discussions and for placing their trust in us. We look forward to continuing our collaboration![...]

[...]The city of Nuremberg has two sewage treatment plants in the city centre. One is the Nuremberg I STP on Adolf-Braun-Straße and the other is Nuremberg II on Gertrudstraße. Both plants process the wastewater of the city of Nuremberg and rely on HUBER's sustainable and efficient machine technology, particularly for mechanical pre-treatment of the wastewater. At STP I, the screen and grit chamber are from HUBER, and the screening system at StP II is also from HUBER. In the past, HUBER had already supplied several of its WAP® wash presses to the two sewage treatment plants. This provided valuable insights into the process requirements of the plants. Project start at Nuremberg I Sewage Treatment Plant Consequently, HUBER was involved in the planning for the conversion of the Nuremberg I STP by the engineering firm Arnold from Kissing as early as 2016. After winning the tender in 2018 and being awarded the contract, the 3-line conversion was gradually implemented in 2019 during ongoing operations. HUBER machines installed in STP I The following machinery was installed: 3 coarse screens – HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® 6080x1575, 30 mm bar spacing, 2200 l/s maximum flow, incl. HUBER Safety Vision for contaminant detection each 3 fine screens – HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® J 7040x1775, 6 mm bar spacing 9 HUBER Screw Conveyor Ro8 T units, size 355 3 HUBER Screenings Wash Press WAP® 8 S HD units with mechanical high pressure unit each Optimisation of screenings treatment To further optimise screenings treatment and enable automatic filling of the on-site screenings collection containers, three HUBER Tipping Troughs, DN 500, were subsequently installed on the discharge pipes of the screenings wash presses. In addition, HUBER was awarded the contract in 2021 to supply and install two HUBER COANDA Grit Washer RoSF4 size 3-Special, V4A, 40 l/s. Renovation at the Nuremberg II Sewage Treatment Plant After completion of the work at STP I, the next phase of the project was the expansion and renovation of the mechanical pre-treatment stage (screens and screenings treatment) at the Nuremberg II STP. Here too, HUBER won the tender and was delighted to be awarded the contract in 2023 for: 2 coarse screens – HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® 3840x2275, 40 mm bar spacing, 2000 l/s maximum flow, incl. HUBER Safety Vision for contaminant detection each 2 fine screens – HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® J 3840x2275, 6 mm bar spacing 2 HUBER Screw Conveyor Ro8 T units, size 355 4 HUBER Screenings Wash Press WAP® 4 S HD units with high pressure unit each Installation under special conditions The installation at STP II proved to be particularly challenging. Since the large screens could only be installed via the roof and due to the enormous overhang, the installation could only be carried out with a 100-tonne crane. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the operating personnel at the plants. HUBER also benefited from the experienced staff through their constructive and intensive cooperation in the project work described. In particular, the in-house electrical engineering team gained a thorough understanding of the HUBER technology through the programming work and optimised some of the processes along the way. Thank you once again for the trust you have placed in us.[...]

[...]Pöndorf, Austria Pöndorf, located in western Upper Austria, is home to a historical landmark: the former border wall that marked the boundary between Bavaria and Upper Austria for 342 years, from 1437 to 1779. The Maier butcher's shop is also a Pöndorf landmark, renowned for its excellent products throughout the country for generations. It already had two mechanical wastewater pre-treatment systems, one of which was for livestock truck wash water. Unexpected sediment accumulation During the last aeration tank inspection, the municipal sewage treatment plant in Pöndorf, with a capacity of 7,850 PE, discovered that there was an unexpectedly large amount of organic sediment in the flow-calmed zones. The origin was quickly clarified due to its consistency. HUBER, also the supplier for the municipal wastewater treatment plant, was invited to assess the situation and make a proposal. Problems with pre-separation due to inadequate technology One problem was the pit from which the chip-water mixture was sucked by a self-priming wastewater pump and pumped into a drum screen with 3 mm perforations. This screen did not have a system for continuous screen surface cleaning. This often led to overloading of the screen surface, which resulted in water in the screenings on the one hand and the conveyor belt being washed off by the overflow on the other. It flowed into the drain, causing chips to enter the sewage treatment plant with the domestic wastewater. The suction area of the pipe or pump was often clogged with ropes or large solids. The solution: collaboration with HUBER The retired house and farm manager Friedl Lixl came up with the concept together with the HUBER sales team, and the boss agreed to his recommendation. They decided to bypass the pit and use the natural slope — the butcher's shop is located on a hillside — and lay a direct feed line from the slaughterhouse, which is situated one floor above, to the HUBER Micro Strainer ROTAMAT® Ro9. Technical implementation The Ro9-400 Micro Strainer with 1 mm bar spacing, installed in the inlet tank and supplemented by a cross conveyor screw for the screened material, is located in the frost-proof area of the lorry garages without affecting the lorry parking space. Trouble-free operation, sustainable success HUBER was able to provide references from livestock truck washes (medium-sized companies know each other) and also present credible technical arguments. The malfunctions are now a thing of the past and the Micro Strainer ensures excellent operation. Is this topic also of interest to one of your customers? Give us a call.[...]

[...]Villach, Austria For many decades, the coarse screens designed as direct current screens served their purpose in the Villach sewage treatment plant, which has a capacity of 250,000 PE. During rainfall events, it often happened that the resulting amounts of screenings could no longer be conveyed because the single rake was unable to hold them. The reason for this was that the clearing interval lasted more than one minute – a circumstance that led to the accumulation of screenings in front of the screen during a flushing surge, which in turn often resulted in the collapse of the screening system. Two screens with different requirements The requirement was to install two coarse screens with different bar spacings, 8 mm and 12 mm, and two different throughput rates of 1.8 and 5.4 m³/s in two existing channels 5.25 m deep and 2.5 m wide. The HUBER RakeMax® impresses HUBER impressed with the technical features of its Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax®. The client was particularly impressed by the following features: the solid chain made of V4A steel with double breaking load, wider chain links and correspondingly low surface pressure in the joints the wide protective rollers for the large-diameter chain bushings the large chain pitch, which results in fewer joints and thus less chain wear the chain bushings and pins made of duplex steel the ceramic/chilled cast chain sprocket bearings in the lower chain deflection wheels, which had already proven themselves in thousands of grit washers, grit classifiers, screw conveyors and more than 3,000 RakeMax® screens worldwide, as well as in numerous HUBER Belt Screen EscaMax® units, thanks to their extremely high wear resistance. Proven materials and reference projects strengthen confidence For instance, after around 50,000 hours of operation, the lower ceramic/chilled cast iron sprocket bearings of the 3.0 m wide, approximately 1.5 m deep HUBER Belt Screen EscaMax® at the Salzburg wastewater treatment plant were removed. This screen was operated with a large water level difference. Despite having to withstand many times the load of a RakeMax® screen, the bearings showed no significant wear. Being able to provide such references strengthens confidence. Further design features for optimum performance Two further features were: the low hydraulic resistance of the screen bars used by HUBER and their tangle-free spacer mounting halfway up the two-metre-high bar rack. Adjustments for maximum operational efficiency In addition, the RakeMax® coarse screens for this site were designed with three more clearing rakes than is standard manufacturing practice. As the HUBER field service team has been familiar with the RoK installations in the storm water overflows for many years, special attention was paid to high clearing speed and thus low screen clogging. Quality in detail convinces the operators Some readers may find the above description overly detailed, but it is precisely this multitude of well-considered design features that are presented here: These features account for the HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax®'s particularly high quality and reliability, a fact recognized by the managers of the Villach sewage treatment plant.[...]

[...]Bickenbach, Germany After around three years of construction, the quaternary treatment stage at the Bickenbach wastewater treatment plant was officially commissioned on 2 April in the presence of numerous representatives from business and politics. The quaternary treatment stage in Bickenbach treats up to 150 litres of wastewater per second and will in future reliably retain the largest proportion of hazardous and persistent micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, hormones, biocides and household chemicals. Minister Hofmann: ‘Today is a good day for Bickenbach, for the whole region, for the whole of Hesse!’ ‘With the commissioning of the quaternary treatment stage today, we have created something groundbreaking to further improve drinking water quality in the Hessian Ried,’ said Hessian Minister of Labour Heike Hofmann in her laudatory speech. Thanks to its existing state-of-the-art systems and the additional quaternary treatment stage, the Bickenbach wastewater treatment plant is now the most modern and efficient wastewater treatment plant in Hesse. Quaternary treatment stage processes up to 150 litres of wastewater per second The additional quaternary treatment stage processes up to 150 litres of wastewater per second and consists of a cloth filtration stage, an ozonation stage and a downstream four-stage activated carbon system. 16 HUBER Activated Carbon Filter CONTIFLOW® GAK units ensure the adsorption of trace substances that are difficult to oxidise and take over the biological degradation of the transformation products from the ozonation stage. Before entering the quaternary treatment stage, a two-line cloth filtration system consisting of two HUBER Pile Cloth Media Filter RotaFilt® 2700 units ensures reliable removal of contaminants and impurities. If required, this stage can also be used as flocculation filtration for phosphorus removal. The proven HUBER Pressure-Tight Door TT7 and the HUBER Manhole Cover SD5, which are also an integral part of the ozone reactor in Bickenbach, are almost standard equipment for ozonation stages. Mayor Hennemann: ‘Decisive contribution to environmental protection’ The cloth filtration system began operating in Bickenbach back in November 2024, followed by the activated carbon stage in mid-February and finally ozonation at the end of March. ‘The first samples have already been sent to the laboratory for assessment,’ proudly reports Jörg Stanzel, Managing Director of the wastewater association for 22 years. The aim of the new purification stage is to discharge the water from the sewage treatment plant as clean as possible. ‘This should be a major concern for all of us,’ agree Markus Hennemann, Chairman of the Association and Mayor of Bickenbach, and his deputy Birgit Kannegießer, Mayor of Seeheim-Jugenheim. ‘Not only are we making a decisive contribution to environmental protection, we are also doing something important for future generations.’ With its new modern quaternary treatment stage, Bickenbach is contributing significantly to the protection of the Hessian Ried. It is the largest groundwater reservoir in the state of Hesse and provides drinking water for around two million people in the Rhine-Main region.[...]