Open Access«St. Petesrburg Vodokanal» Experience in Developing Water Disposal Facilities as the Steps towards Transition to the Best Available Techniques
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
vodnoe hozâjstvo rossii: problemy, tehnologii, upravlenie/vodnoe hozâjstvo rossii : problemy, tehnologii, upravlenie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2686-8253
pISSN - 1999-4508
DOI - 10.35567/1999-4508-2020-6-6
Subject(s) - unitary state , modernization theory , incineration , convention , sewage treatment , business , environmental planning , environmental resource management , engineering , waste management , environmental science , economics , economic growth , political science , law
The article presents the case study of wastewater disposal facilities development performed by the State Unitary Enterprise ‘Vodokanal of St. Petersburg’ which is regarded as one of the ‘green cases’ being implemented in the Russian Federation. It was emphasized that the Vodokanal of St. Petersburg ‘green case’ holds both sectoral and regional significance. Authors discuss approaches towards development and stage-by-stage implementation of reconstruction and modernization programs as to existing treatment facilities and for designing new ones. The implementation stages are considered from the standpoint of improving the environmental and technological policy of the enterprise. The implementation results for modern wastewater treatment techniques (mainly concerning nitrogen and phosphorus removal) are presented. The company’s experience on operating wastewater sludge incineration installations is described. The article demonstrates an urgent need for a detailed analysis of technological and economic risks and opportunities during strategic planning and designing St. Petersburg Water Supply and Disposal Scheme due to the transition to new BAT-based technological regulation in the field of environmental protection. The role of the best available techniques in fulfilling the requirements of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Region (HELCOM) is emphasized. Authors describe technical solutions implemented by the State Unitary Enterprise ‘Vodokanal of St. Petersburg’ which allowed to remove the enterprise from HELCOM environmental «hot spots» list. Approaches towards further activities on sewage sludge and ash recycling are presented. The article formulates recommendations on improving BAT-related regulatory legal acts based on the results of the case study and notes the expediency for developing a national strategy in the field of using sewage sludge as a secondary resource.