Water shortages and climate change are some of the greatest challenges of our time. We at Enwa are therefore very proud to have been part of the ‘Testbädd Storsudret’ project on the southern tip of Gotland! Water shortages have long been an acute problem in Storsudret, and in response to this, a research project was launched with the aim of developing sustainable solutions for water supply.
“The solutions incorporated both innovative technology and smart, resource-efficient methods.” says Christer Andersson, Process Engineer and member of the Enwa team. The Storsudret test bed also marked the start of a platform where researchers, companies and community stakeholders came together to test new water treatment solutions.
The project involved collaboration between IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Uppsala University, Geological Survey of Sweden and others. Through its involvement in the Storsudret test bed, Enwa has demonstrated that innovative water treatment solutions can make a real difference in the fight against water scarcity. Through collaboration between research, industry and local stakeholders, the project has laid the foundation for a sustainable water supply on Gotland – a model that can be replicated in other parts of the world.
Our delivery
In addition to its expertise, Enwa’s team has contributed three specially developed water treatment stations. By using technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO) and ceramic ultrafiltration (UF), the project helps to purify and recycle water where it is most needed.
Here is some of what we have delivered:
- A container with ceramic ultrafiltration (UF) for wastewater treatment in Burgsvik.
- A container with reverse osmosis (RO) for further treatment of wastewater in Burgsvik.
- A second UF container to purify surface water from Mjölhatteträsk.
Together, these technologies make it possible to convert wastewater into drinking water, contributing to a more circular water supply and reducing the need to transport water over long distances.
Successes and challenges
The project has attracted considerable attention both nationally and internationally and has led to several major EU projects and collaborations with partners in Brazil and China.
“One of the major successes is the opportunity to create a locally self-sufficient water supply for Storsudret, which can inspire other regions with similar challenges around the world.” says Johanna Ljunggren, Process Engineer, part of the team from Enwa.
Enwa’s role in the future
The Storsudret Testbed project formally ended in 2023, but the project lives on. Enwa, for example, remains committed to water supply issues and is now continuing its work within the Innorec project, where the containers they delivered are being adapted for new applications. Among other things, there are plans to move one of the UF containers to the Visby wastewater treatment plant, where treated wastewater can be used for flushing and irrigation – another step towards more sustainable water management.
In the picture above, you can see the Enwa team:
Michael Karlsson, Technical & Product Manager | Claire Demaille, Process Engineer | Johanna Ljunggren, Process Engineer | Christer Andersson, Process Engineer.
