SUEZ has secured a significant contract with Hillerød Forsyning to upgrade the HCR Syd wastewater treatment plant in Denmark, focusing on the removal of pharmaceutical residues. This €4.5 million project, set to begin in early 2025 and be operational by mid-2026, will enhance the plant’s capacity to treat micropollutants in wastewater, especially from pharmaceutical sources. The upgrade comes in response to the increasing wastewater load expected from the New Hospital North Zealand (Nyt Hospital Nordsjælland), which is currently under construction and will connect to the plant, as well as the region's industrial activities.
HCR Syd, designed for 100,000 population equivalent in the city of Hillerød, is pioneering in Denmark as the first municipal wastewater treatment plant to implement a dedicated quaternary treatment step for micropollutant removal. This advanced solution, which includes inline ozonation and Granular Active Carbon (GAC) filters (SUEZ Carbablue solution), will help meet effluent discharge requirements for pharmaceutical residues. Pharmaceutical residues in the wastewater originate primarily from private homes (97%) and hospitals (3%).
The project holds significant importance as it aligns with the forthcoming European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. This regulation will require all plants serving over 150,000 population equivalent to implement micropollutant treatment by 2045. HCR Syd will serve as a key reference point for future installations across the country.
Micropollutants, due to their toxicity and bioaccumulation, pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems and living organisms. Wastewater treatment plants are crucial in mitigating this risk, acting as a point of capture and treatment for these harmful substances.
Jörg Linsenmaier, Executive Vice-President Engineering & Construction at SUEZ, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Hillerød Forsyning, highlighting SUEZ’s expertise in water treatment solutions. Peter Underlin, CEO of Hillerød Forsyning, emphasized the importance of this upgrade for preserving water resources and ensuring a more sustainable aquatic environment in the region.
