Whether it’s from the dishwasher or simply leaving the tap running, most of Luxembourg’s wastewater ends up in one of the country’s treatment plants - and the one in Beggen is currently undergoing extensive works.
Its capacity is set to increase from 210,000 to 450,000 residents by 2031, with a new biological reactor that uses bacteria and air bubbles to clean the water.
The process involves filling a tank with water and running it through various cycles, during which air is pumped in to agitate the water. Fresh wastewater is then continuously added in phases. The full cleaning process takes around six hours.
To tackle microplastics and substances like PFAS – so-called “forever chemicals” that cannot be removed using standard methods – a dedicated solution is planned. However, eight more biological reactors will need to be built first, a process expected to last until 2028. The final phase of the project will see the new facility constructed on the current site of the old biological reactor by 2031.
Once the water has been treated, it flows into a second basin within an hour. From there, it is released slowly into the Alzette river to avoid a surge. This gradual release also takes around six hours.
Watch video report in Luxembourgish:
