Waterboard Limburg (WL) officially opened the Nereda Verdygo Package Plant (NVPP) at their wastewater treatment plant in Weert, The Netherlands, in October last year. This innovative, mobile adaptation of the Nereda technology and the Verdygo concept  is a collaborative effort between WL, SBE Eijsden  (an equipment contruction company)  and Haskoning.

The NVPP, a pioneering small-scale wastewater treatment installation, marks a significant advancement in sustainable water treatment solutions. The opening highlighted its benefits and versatility, emphasizing its potential for both temporary and permanent water management needs.

Winner of the 2022 Vernufteling Award, the NVPP is designed for usage at sites where sewage management and freshwater needs intersect. Its modular and transportable design allow it to treat sewage towards various freshwater quality requirements, making it suitable for locations with temporary or ongoing water needs. Developed by Waterboard Limburg, the plant integrates Nereda® treatment technology with the Verdygo sustainable design concept and was engineered and constructed by SBE of Eijsden.

The NVPP will operate at WL's Sewage Treatment Plant in Weert for the next two years. “Here is all the necessary infrastructure and we can safely validate and optimize operation excellence,” says Andreas Giesen, Director Technology at Haskoning. “Afterwards, the plant can be relocated and fulfil clean water demands of agriculture or specific industries.”

The Verdygo concept is highly compatible with Nereda technology, which uses aerobic granular sludge. Unlike traditional systems that require significant time and space for sedimentation, Nereda employs compact granules (aerobic bacteria) to purify sewage within the same tank, allowing purification and settling processes to occur simultaneously. This setup supports various biological processes, such as nitrification, denitrification, and biological phosphate removal, in a single tank.

Customized Water 

What makes the NVPP concept unique is that it produces ‘customised water’. Depending on demand, the installation can supply up to 400 cubic metres per day, which is the wastewater volume produced by approximately 2500 people. In agricultural regions, the NVPP can treat wastewater to the desired quality for reuse. “For example if during the growing season  a farmer is benefitting from  nitrogen and phosphate-enriched water,  we can retain these nutrients in the treated water for reuse in that season and provide nutrient-free water in other seasons,” Giesen explains.

Though the plant in Weert is still undergoing testing, Bert Bakker, Sales Manager Nereda, is optimistic. “It's conceivable that NVPPs, will be established globally in the future,” he notes. “The volume of inquiries we're receiving indicates significant interest. This mobile plant is a unique innovation, and WL, SBE, and us at Haskoning are eager to share our knowledge.”