Two decades of reliable partnership: Passau WWTP and HUBER SE look back on 20 years of the HUBER service and maintenance contract
Since 1 June 2006, the Passau wastewater treatment plant and HUBER SE have been linked by a continuous, trusting and successful service partnership. Over the course of two decades, numerous HUBER‑systems have been reliably serviced, maintained and technically upgraded – a milestone that impressively underlines the importance of professional manufacturer maintenance.
The Passau wastewater treatment plant, designed for 110,000 population equivalents and operated by a dedicated team of ten staff members, has relied on HUBER‑technology for many years. The plant’s equipment includes, amongst other machinery:
- 2x HUBER Rotary Drum Fine Screen ROTAMAT® Ro2 1600/5 mm
- 1x HUBER Coanda Grit Washer RoSF4 3
- 2x HUBER Screw Conveyor Ro8 T 273
- 3x HUBER Scum Scraper SSR 4
- 1x HUBER Disc Thickener S‑DISC 2
With the recent extension of the service and maintenance contract to include the new HUBER Disc Thickener S‑DISC 2, this successful partnership is being consistently continued – a strong sign of trust, quality and sustainable plant management.
In conversation with Judith Friedlmeier, plant manager at the sewage treatment works, and Thomas Nigl, mechanical team leader, it became clear why the HUBER service and maintenance contract has been an integral part of the plant’s operations since 2006. Nigl describes the period before the contract was signed as follows: '“Initially, the machinery was operated according to the ‘fire brigade principle’. In other words, we would only put out the fire once it had started. But that is not a forward-looking approach and does not preserve assets.”
With the signing of the maintenance contract, reactive fault rectification gave way to a consistently preventative maintenance approach: “Don’t wait until there’s a fire – make sure there isn’t one in the first place.” Since then, operational reliability has increased significantly: “Since signing the HUBER service and maintenance contract, there have been no further significant downtimes,” says Thomas Nigl.
Regular maintenance as the key to operational reliability
For the Passau sewage treatment works, a competent and reliable service partner plays a central role. Particularly important are reliable scheduling, clear agreements and the annual provision of all necessary spare parts, which significantly simplifies both budgeting and maintenance planning. Equally valued is a dedicated contact person who knows the plant inside out and is available at any time, even between maintenance intervals.
The team at the Passau sewage treatment works particularly highlights the HUBER‑service team’s high level of problem-solving expertise, their swift and targeted support when questions arise, and the optimal supply of spare parts, which ensures that the required components are already on site before maintenance begins. Their strong customer focus is also emphasised – even if something does not go as expected, they work together constructively to find a solution. The service technicians impress with their very neat, meticulous and professional approach to their work. Another plus point is the continuous transfer of know-how, which enables the entire team to gain valuable new knowledge.
Service that builds trust
The Passau sewage treatment works rates its collaboration with HUBER Service very highly across the board. Service consultant Erwin Wagner is also particularly highly regarded; he has become a reliable point of contact for the team, or as Judith Friedlmeier aptly puts it: “Erwin Wagner is our hotline.”
The support provided by the office staff is also described as friendly, competent and reliable. The service technicians work diligently, meticulously, tidily and with a high sense of responsibility. Compared with other companies, the Passau sewage treatment works recognises how important it is to treat the technology with respect – a standard which, from the customer’s perspective, HUBER fulfils in an exemplary manner.
Consistent service quality as the foundation for the future
The Passau sewage treatment works confirms that HUBER is a trustworthy and reliable maintenance partner. Thanks to the long-standing HUBER service and maintenance contract, the operational reliability of the entire plant has increased noticeably. Downtime has been significantly reduced, processes optimised and the team’s technical knowledge continuously expanded.
This positive development is the result of a trusting, professional partnership that has grown over many years. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Judith Friedlmeier, Thomas Nigl and the entire team at the Passau WWTP for their long-standing trust and cooperative partnership, and we look forward to many more years of working together.
