Recycling municipal wastewater for commercial use

Berlin in Germany

The Berlin feasibility study evaluates the potential for water reuse in industrial applications at the Berlin-Ruhleben wastewater treatment plant, one of the largest in Berlin. Therefore, the study is exploring how the planned additional treatment processes improve the effluent quality, thereby reducing efforts to implement water reuse: coagulation and flocculation further reduce nutrient emissions, UV disinfection lowers the bacterial content, while ozone or adsorption on activated carbon remove micropollutants. Additionally, the study identifies any further treatment required for specific reuse scenarios. Risk assessment and management aspects are also considered.

In order to maximise the sustainability of water recycling, the project is geared towards local utilisation. Potential commercial customers have already been identified within a radius of just three kilometres – the wastewater treatment plant is located in an industrial area.

  • Location: Berlin (Germany), Ruhleben district
  • Water source: Treated wastewater from urban wastewater treatment plant
  • Type of treatment: coagulation, flocculation, UV disinfection, ozonation or adsorption onto activated carbon, other fit-for-purpose treatments
  • Target water quality: Fit-for-purpose water of varying quality
  • Utilisation: Process water, cleaning water and cooling water for industry and commerce, optional: urban irrigation
  • Return to natural cycle: Discharge into sewage system, evaporation (in cooling towers)
  • Responsible: KWB – Berlin Centre of Competence for Water gGmbh
  • Available: Summer 2025

Further information on the pilot measure

Scope & first results of the feasibility study (current status)
(pdf, 2,2MB)
Take a look at these slides for a concise overview of the current progress and results of this feasibility study.

The evolution of the study step-by-step (until today)
(pdf, 2,1MB)

These slides document the progress of the feasibility study – including key considerations, recommendations, and decisions at each stage. Scroll through to follow the process chronologically, from the initial idea all the way to the current status.

Further information on the pilot measure

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Scope & first results of the feasibility study (current status)These slides provide a more detailed overview on the pilot measure.

Download the slides

The evolution of the study step-by-step (until today)These slides give an account of the work process, incl. considerations, recommendations and decisions taken at different stages. Scroll through the slides to chronologically follow the elaboration of the feasibility study step-by-step, from the initial idea to the present status!

Download the slides
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The content of this website is the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, the Managing Authority or the Joint Secretariat of the South Baltic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020. The project UMBRELLA is partly financed from the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2014-2020 through the European Regional Development Fund.