A new, larger and robust wastewater treatment plant

Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant is the hub of VA SYD’s upcoming MAXIMA wastewater treatment system. We will expand and transform Sjölunda into a larger, more modern and robust plant with new technologies that combine mechanical, biological and chemical treatment. When operating it will be ready to meet the higher demands on wastewater treatment.

Co-oporating municipalities: Burlöv, Lomma, Malmö och Svedala
Area: 3 hectares
Volume: 550 000 people, 650 000 population equivalents
Treatment process: MBR, membrane bioreactor treatment
Outlet pipes: 2 pipes, approximately 2 metres in diameter, placed a maximum of
4 km out into the Öresund
Construction time: 8 years, built when the existing plant is in operation at the same site

Current state

Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant was built in 1963. Since then, we have expanded the plant in various stages, and we have now reached a point at which it is no longer beneficial to renovate the plant. Sjölunda has recurring malfunctions and has difficulty meeting treatment requirements. In the near future, we need new environmental permits to continue operating. 

Location

A study of where the new wastewater treatment should be placed concluded that the current location is the most beneficial for a wastewater treatment plant. There are no plans for housing constructions in the area and the many industries in the area promote future circular solutions. Therefore, we will build the new wastewater treatment plant at the same location as the current one, while it remains  in operation. 

More cost-effective and environmentally better

A shared investment in wastewater treatment with better technology will generate more benefit at a lower cost. It will also benefit our aquatic environments. Once operational, the new Sjölunda wastewater treatment plant will replace local plants located next to small watercourses. This means that these small watercourses will have a chance to recover. Additionally, the new outlet pipes, located farther out into Öresund, will help protect the aquatic environment in Lommabukten and Natura 2000 sites.

Utilising resources 

The wastewater treatment plants of the future will both treat wastewater and utilise re-sources. We already recover heat from wastewater and return it to the city. Through the treatment process, we can also produce biogas for public transport and fertiliser for arable land – but we can do even more. We are therefore taking a closer look at how a new plant can:

• Be carbon neutral
• Help ensure that the wastewater treatment plant produces and returns more energy to the community than it consumes 
• Distribute recycled treated water
• Work with businesses and manage its resources sustainably
• Be built flexibly to permit adaptation to changes in technology and water flow 
• Be 100 per cent self-sufficient for water in the treatment process, i.e re-use treated water in our own processes.