Facing an extensive and steadily increasing lack of drinking water, especially during the summer holidays, a local municipality of Sweden’s second largest island Öland was looking for a solution to ensure a constant fresh water supply tackling seasonal tourist-induced peaks and high water volumes required by the local industry. Previously, water has been transported from the continent to the island, which, besides creating a dependency on external supply and bearing risks of water shortages, was source of environmental pollution and disturbances caused from water transporting truck traffic.

Luxembourg clean-tech innovator APATEQ excelled above all competitors in the tender process conducted by the municipality of Mörbylånga, including established world market leaders in the sector. The stationary plant treats brackish well water as well as pre-treated industrial process water within one single installation. This multi-functionality is possible due to a combination of technologies that APATEQ developed over the years, including dedicated software, which enables the plant to self-adapt to the different water qualities. The system is designed to handle a flow capacity from 500 to 4,000 cubic meters per day, depending on the seasonal demand. In an additional step, designed and operated by Swedish water-specialising companies, its effluent will be disinfected and re-mineralised up to drinking water levels, according to the Swedish and international regulations.

“Geographically located on an island, our municipality is facing a limited availability of fresh ground water. With the prevailing conditions, population growth or any extension of water consuming industry represents a challenge in terms of water supply”, said Peter Asteberg, Project Manager for the municipality of Mörbylånga. “We are convinced that the new plant, including APATEQ’s technology, is the right choice to pursue our future urban development.”

“Our installation in Mörbylånga is the first of its kind in Europe”, said APATEQ CTO Ulrich Bäuerle. “So far, direct water re-use systems have been only installed in Namibia and the US to our knowledge. Considering the increasing demand of fresh water resources worldwide, smart water re-use systems will inevitably play a major role in the global future tackling the challenges of population growth and climate change.”

The festive inauguration of the plant, which is a result of a cooperation between Swedish and Luxembourgish companies, took place on 12 July 2019 in attendance of Their Royal Highnesses Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Prince Félix of Luxembourg.