Staff at the University of Life Sciences (UP) in Lublin have developed a zero-energy hybrid hydrophytic wastewater treatment plant.

The concept for the facility was developed by a team from UP in Lublin’s Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy under the direction of Prof. Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski. The design of the treatment plant was carried out by Dr Arkadiusz Malik and Karolina Jóźwiakowska.

The wastewater treatment plant, which was opened in Zawadówka (Lubelskie Voivodeship), consists of a mechanical, biological and chemical part and a sludge management system. 

The system is equipped with an innovative P-filter filled with calcium-silica opal rock after thermal treatment and a photovoltaic system, which reduces energy consumption from the power grid to almost zero. 

In addition, it is fully automated and computer-controlled. The inflow and outflow of pollutants is recorded using special flow meters, so that the amount of wastewater treated can be tracked in real time.