Decentralized water treatment is yet to be taken for granted. Within the collaboration of SEMiLLA Sanitation, BlueCity, Nijhuis SAUR Industries, Hoogheemraadschap van Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard, Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland, and Waterschap Hollandse Delta, we are investigating the technical, economic, and legal feasibility. Supported by Kansen voor West, STOWA and Alliantie Waterkracht. In collaboration with STOWA and Alliantie Waterkracht,
we are investigating the impact of decentralized purification and raw material production on the current (centrally organized) system and examining the performance of the installation to determine whether it functions circularly. The focus is on the quantity and quality of the reused water, the extracted raw materials, and the energy consumption to determine whether the installation has circular advantages over treatment by a central wastewater treatment system.
Urine contains water, valuable fertilizers, hormones, medicine residues, and other substances. In BlueCity, urine from all genders is collected (Unisex Urinal), and stored in a blue tank. The urine treatment is not located in BlueCity but at various test locations such as DGTL 2019, Into the Great Wide Open 2019, Vierdaagse Feesten 2022, DGTL 2024, and Zwarte Cross 2024. Here, we process urine into fertilizer and clean water by using MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY.
Grey water is lightly polluted wastewater from rain, sinks, and showers. This water contains organic substances, bacteria, and viruses. At BlueCity, we collect this type of water and convert it into toilet flush water. The treatment of grey water involves several steps. First, the water is pre-treated in the PRE-TREATMENT step. Then all undissolved particles are filtered out of the water in the SAND FILTRATION. Then the water passes through the MEMBRANE FILTER, where undissolved organic matter, bacteria, and viruses are filtered out of the water. Using REVERSED OSMOSE, the remaining bacteria and viruses are removed from the water. The PRESSURE PUMP maintains pressure on the water pipe to the TOILET.
Black water is highly polluted wastewater from toilets. This water contains flush water, toilet paper, and fecal matter. At BlueCity, we collect this type of water and convert it into clean water, fertilizers, and compost. Black water enters a COARSE FILTER where solids (larger than 20 mm) are separated from the wastewater. This water is collected in a BLACK WATER TANK and is gradually pumped to the FINE FILTER, here the sludge is dewatered. The sludge then goes to the COMPOSTER where the sludge is dried into compost. The wastewater is pumped into the FEED TANK. In the EVAPORATOR, the water is heated and condensation is generated. This condensation is irrigation water. The remaining sludge is boiled in the HYGIENIC TANK. The fertilizer that remains is collected in the FERTILIZER TANK.
At BlueCity, in the vertical farm, we grow herbs, trees, and houseplants on a small scale using compost, irrigation water, and fertilizer, which we make from human waste flows. We are currently working with several tree nurseries to use these extracted nutrients on a larger scale. The COMPOST from the composter, the IRRIGATION WATER from the evaporator, and the FERTILIZER from the fertilizer tank can be used to grow TREES AND HOUSEPLANTS.