UAB Arginta completes renovation of its significant wastewater treatment facility in Vilnius
Following years of intricate planning and negotiations, the colossal rebuilding project of the Vilnius Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - one of Lithuania's most significant and complex infrastructure initiatives - has been successfully concluded by UAB Arginta. The 49-million-euro reconstruction signifies a new era of sustainable wastewater management in the capital city, enhancing capacity, efficiency, and environmental impact.
The path to modernizing the Vilnius WWTP was far from smooth. The initial tender for the project was reissued four times, a testament to both the project's ambitious goals and financial constraints. The urgent need to update the ageing infrastructure was precipitated by stricter EU environmental regulations and the expanding urban population.
In August 2020, a breakthrough occurred when UAB Arginta submitted a joint technical and financial proposal and clinched the contract despite the ongoing global disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration between more than 15 engineers from Lithuania and Italy predominantly took place remotely during the lockdown, making it a remarkable feat in logistics.
The first phase of the reconstruction was completed in September 2023, largely funded by the European Union, which covered 80 percent of the costs. The second phase was wrapped up exactly a year later in 2024.
The project encountered numerous hurdles throughout the reconstruction, particularly during the subsequent years when another wave of COVID-19 and the geopolitical fallout from the war in Ukraine caused spikes in material and labor costs. However, the plant was reconstructed within the stipulated timeframe, demonstrating UAB Arginta's resilience and engineering prowess.
The crown jewel of the reconstruction is undeniably the massive aeration tank, composed of six bioreactors with two compartments each. Spanning 138 meters in length and 216 meters in width, with a depth of 5.7 meters, this tank is the largest structure within the plant. The tank received special attention due to a serious accident in 1993 when a partition wall collapsed during testing. During the reconstruction, each bioreactor wall and floor was meticulously inspected, reinforced, and retrofitted with new steel reinforcement, ensuring both historical continuity and modern safety compliance.
One of the most technically challenging aspects of the reconstruction was maintaining continuous wastewater treatment operations throughout the construction. UAB Arginta skillfully engineered bespoke bypasses and temporary flow diversions, ensuring uninterrupted service during the reconstruction process.
The project featured a complete overhaul of the plant's infrastructure and technology. Highlights include the installation of accurate flow measurement systems, upgrading primary clarifiers with screw-type sludge removal systems, enhancing biological treatment with over 26,000 diffusers, and implementing a tertiary treatment system to remove microplastics from the wastewater. The plant's operations are now controlled by a powerful SCADA system, while air quality is managed through biofilters with automatic humidification.
The Vilnius WWTP's upgraded systems now position it among the most advanced and environmentally responsible facilities in the Baltic region, setting a new standard for wastewater management in Eastern Europe.
- The successful completion of the Vilnius Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) rebuilding project by UAB Arginta marks a significant shift in Lithuania's wastewater management, not only in terms of capacity and efficiency but also in addressing environmental concerns, setting a new standard for environmental-science and sustainability within the technology and industry sectors.
- The project's financing, largely funded by the European Union, demonstrates the importance of international financial collaboration in driving environmental initiatives, particularly in the business and science realms.
- The state-of-the-art upgrades implemented at the Vilnius WWTP, such as accurate flow measurement systems, enhanced biological treatment, and tertiary treatment to remove microplastics, are prime examples of how technological advancements play a crucial role in environmental conservation and industrial development.
- The reconstruction of the Vilnius WWTP, despite numerous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability, highlights the potential for science, technology, and finance to foster resilience and innovation within the environmental-science industry, ensuring the continuity of essential services while progressing towards a more sustainable future.
