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Department of Water Resources & Environmental Engineering School of Civil Engineering National Technical University of Athens

LIFE BIODAPH2O

  • Writer: PROJECTS
    PROJECTS
  • Aug 1, 2021
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 19

Eco-efficient system for wastewater tertiary treatment and water reuses in the Mediterranean region








Duration: 01 August 2022 – 31 January 2026

Funding programme and call: LIFE-2021-SAP-ENV

Project budget: € 2.128.772,06

SEL NTUA budget: € 408.687 / EU funding € 245.211,90

Coordinator: Universitat de Girona

SEL NTUA role: WP leader and Demo leader (Antissa)

Project website: life-biodaph2o.eu



BIODAPH2O in a glance


LIFE BIODAPH2O is a demonstration project whose main objective is the scaling-up and implementation of an eco-efficient nature based tertiary wastewater treatment (BIODAPH) at two demo sites located in water-stressed regions of the Mediterranean area. This system will produce reclaimed water that will contribute to diminishing discharges of pollutants in freshwater ecosystems and to promote agricultural reuse. The BIODAPH system, is based on the depuration capacity of biological organisms: water fleas (Daphnia), microalgae and biofilms of removing pollutants (nutrients, organic carbon, suspended solids, pathogens, heavy metals, emerging and priority pollutants, and micro plastics). This compact and low-energy consumption system does not produce sludge nor use chemicals for its operation. The implementation of this system at Quart WWTP, Spain, will improve the chemical and ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems whereas in the case of Greece, the BIODAPH system will be implemented adjacent to the Antissa WWTP in Lesvos, to obtain reclaimed water for irrigation of 7,000 m2 of nearby agricultural land. 



Project demonstration sites


In Greece, the BIODAPH technology is installed alongside the existing Antissa WWTP, which employs an activated sludge process to treat domestic sewage. In addition to the activated sludge process, Antissa WWTP features modular units of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket digestion (UASB), constructed wetlands (CWs) and UV disinfection put into operation as part of the HYDROUSA project. The modular configuration of this treatment process allows the BIODAPH reactor to be tested both after the UASB unit and after the CWs to obtain reclaimed water to irrigate 7000m2 of nearby agricultural land.


The Spanish demo-site consists of two BIODAPH reactors installed in parallel with a nominal load of 100 m3/d each. The implementation of this system at Quart WWTP has reduced the impact of secondary wastewater discharges into the Onyar River while improving the chemical and ecological status of the river’s aquatic ecosystems, meeting the standards set out in the Water Framework Directive of the EC (Directive 2000/60/EC). The BIODAPH reactors currently treat up to 40% of the secondary wastewater, which was previously discharged directly. It can be presumed that future environmental controls will record a significant reduction in the discharge of pollutants into the aquatic environment of the Onyar river.



Our expertise in action


SEL leads the preparational work on policy and legislation assessment developing the respective deliverable. Moreover, SEL is responsible for development and the implementation of the Demonstration site on the island of Lesvos in Greece. This includes the contact with administrations; startup, operation and optimization of the Greek facility; monitoring the removal of nutrients and pathogens as well as monitoring the impact on agricultural productivity and quality.



Research team 




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