Renovation of the aeration tank at the Rimburg WWTP

Situated on the border between the Netherlands and Germany, the Rimburg wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) dates back to the mid-1970s. After decades of operation, the aeration tank needed renovation. Iv, as part of the building team, developed the renovation design for the aeration tank on behalf of the Limburg Water Board. A key requirement was that the treatment process had to remain fully operational throughout the works, a complex challenge at a site with limited space.

The main challenge in this project was that the plant operates with only one treatment line, meaning that the aeration tank could not simply be taken out of service. The solution was to construct a second (temporary) aeration tank to maintain the functionality of the existing treatment process. In addition to the technical complexity, environmental and permit-related considerations also had to be carefully addressed. The project also required smart, sustainable, and reusable design choices, without overlooking the financial implications. The aim was to find a solution that was technically feasible, financially viable, and environmentally responsible.

Iv designed a temporary installation capable of taking over the treatment process. On-site, a concrete temporary aeration tank was constructed, complete with pumping systems, mixers, and (bypass) piping. Once this system is operational, the original tank can be safely emptied and renovated. Thanks to this integral solution, the treatment plant will remain fully functional and will be able to efficiently treat wastewater from the Rimburg region for the next 50 years.