NURSECOAST-II Team's visit to Poland: exploring the latest project achievements

Kościerzyna Commune: A natural haven

The Kościerzyna commune, the largest local authority in the Kościerzyna district, provided a fitting environment for this meeting. Located in the heart of Kashubian Switzerland and the Tuchola Forest, the commune is renowned for its landscape parks and Natura 2000 protected areas. The commune is a natural treasure, home to over 60 lakes, with more than six covering an area of over 100 hectares each. The most notable of these is Lake Wdzydze, affectionately referred to as the “Kashubian Sea,” which spans 1,430 hectares and connects with several other lakes.

The area’s 80 kilometres of waterways and vast lakes create an ideal environment for discussing innovative water management and wastewater treatment solutions, a major focus of the NURSECOAST-II project.

Pilot site at Bure Misie Community Foundation

Our recent visit to a pilot wastewater treatment facility in Poland highlighted both the challenges and progress in piloting nanobubble technology and nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment. The purpose of the Bure Misie Community Foundation is to provide home, care, rehabilitation and recreation to people with disabilities. Located roughly 50 km from the Baltic Sea in the Lower Vistula water region, the facility sits close to Kościerzyna and is only 300 meters from Lake Wętfie. Since its establishment in 2005, the plant has faced a range of issues, primarily due to overloading, which led to unpleasant odors and posed potential environmental risks. Serving a diverse wastewater mix—including domestic, campsite, and even waste from a nearby cheese factory—the plant processes up to 25 cubic meters of wastewater daily in summer and about 15 cubic meters during the rest of the year. Seasonal fluctuations bring an influx of around 160 visitors in summer and around 58 during off-peak months. These unique loads have required innovative strategies to handle high organic matter levels, particularly from the cheese factory’s “heavier” wastewater. Engaging with the NURSECOAST-II project, the community has found valuable opportunities to collaborate with experts, openly discuss challenges, and explore tailored solutions for sustainable wastewater management in sensitive catchment areas.

Nanobubbles: the future of wastewater treatment?

A key theme of the discussions was the application of nanobubbles in wastewater treatment. Lesław Świerczek from the NURSECOAST-II lead partner Polish Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery gave a compelling presentation on the advantages and challenges of using nanobubbles in wastewater treatment. The technology holds significant promise for improving treatment efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and mitigating odors—all while complying with stringent environmental standards.

The pilot partners gave also an update on different NURSECOAST-II pilot sites.

Guest Speakers and Key Topics

The meeting featured an array of guest speakers who shared insights and updates on various wastewater treatment initiatives. Arkadiusz Malinowski from the Commune of Kościerzyna gave an overview of selected wastewater treatment plants in the municipality. His presentation highlighted the region’s commitment to sustainable water management practices. Robert Fennig, President of the Board at Municipal Infrastructure Company ‘KOS-EKO’ Ltd., spoke on sludge management at Kościerzyna’s wastewater treatment plant. Fennig’s talk underscored the challenges and successes of handling wastewater sludge, a vital component of the treatment process. And Thomas Tindahl Jensen from TECHRAS presented on the benefits of nanobubbles in wastewater treatment. As a supplier of nanobubble devices from Moleaer, TECHRAS is actively supporting Pilot 1 at the Jūrkalne wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Nanobubbles, tiny gas bubbles with unique properties, have the potential to revolutionize wastewater treatment by improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and even minimizing odor.

The broader impact of the NURSECOAST-II project

The meeting in Kościerzyna showcased the interdisciplinary collaboration of the NURSECOAST-II team, which is working on innovative, sustainable wastewater solutions across the Baltic Sea region

As the team continues its work, the insights and innovations shared in Kościerzyna will undoubtedly contribute to more effective, sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment across Baltic Sea region.

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