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[...]Baden-Württemberg, Germany A fourth treatment stage is currently being built at the sewage treatment works in Schwäbisch Hall, Markgröningen-Talhausen, Vörbach-Pfalzgrafenweiler and Meßkirch in Baden-Württemberg. These treatment works have opted for the GAC (German: GAK) process, which uses granulated activated carbon for adsorption. Upstream of the trace substance removal stages, there is a multi-stream pre-filtration system at each site, all of which have been equipped with the new HUBER Pile Cloth Media Filter RotaFilt®. These reliably protect the subsequent GAC‑adsorption process from dirt and contaminants, thereby ensuring stable and low-maintenance plant operation. In Vörbach-Pfalzgrafenweiler, twelve HUBER Activated Carbon Filter CONTIFLOW® GAK units are used as the GAC stage. Trace substance removal and phosphorus removal At the Eglosheim-Ludwigsburg wastewater treatment plant, powdered activated carbon is dosed directly into the biological stage to remove trace substances. Here, cloth filtration acts as a conventional final filtration stage and ensures that no loaded activated carbon particles from the secondary clarifier enter the receiving watercourse. In all five projects, cloth filtration can also be operated in combination with coagulant dosing as flocculation filtration, should the most thorough possible removal of phosphorus be required. Outlook and project status All five plants are still under construction at present. The fourth-stage treatment facilities in Schwäbisch Hall and Eglosheim-Ludwigsburg are expected to be operational by 2026. The other projects are expected to be operational in 2027.[...]

[...]Kreßberg, Germany With the new EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD, German: KARL), phosphorus removal at sewage treatment works is increasingly coming into focus. At the same time, however, phosphorus loads from sewage treatment works are also one of the reasons why Germany still fails to meet the requirements of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD 2000). Not least for this reason, further measures will be necessary at many sewage works in the future. Flocculation filtration in Kreßberg At the Kreßberg (GK3) sewage treatment works in Baden-Württemberg, this issue is now viewed with confidence. The new flocculation filtration system was commissioned there in spring 2025. A HUBER Pile Cloth Media Filter RotaFilt® 2700 with four filter discs is used as the flocculation filter. Together with an optimally adjusted precipitant dosing system, it ensures that the annual average total phosphorus concentration in the treatment plant effluent never exceeds 0.2 mg/l at any time. At the same time, the cloth filtration enables an effluent that is virtually free of solids to be achieved: ‘Last year, the turbidity in the treatment plant effluent was almost always < 1.0 FNU,’ said plant manager Karl Prosy with satisfaction. HUBER’s products and solutions for phosphorus removal are already being used in other projects as well. This enables the increasing requirements for wastewater treatment to be met and the plants to be equipped for the future.[...]

[...]Worldwide Grit chamber cleaners are generally reliable and safe, working around the clock, come rain or shine. Nevertheless, the ravages of time take their toll on the structure. After 30, 40 or even more than 50 years, even carefully maintained and well-looked-after cleaners eventually reach the end of their service life. Paving the way for the future It is wise to plan for the future cleaning of your longitudinal grit trap early on and with foresight. As is so often the case, there are various solutions available for this. However, before addressing the issue of grit channel clearance, it must first be clarified whether the old concrete grit channel still meets current requirements – in terms of separation efficiency, for example – and what condition the concrete structure is in. This will determine whether a new build or a possible refurbishment (retrofit) without costly civil engineering works is required. If the decision is made to carry out a retrofit, one either seeks a suitable replacement for the grit channel cleaner or explores a new, innovative method of removing the grit from the grit channel. Unfortunately, replacing the cleaning system presents many difficulties, as a one-to-one replacement is usually not possible. On the one hand, many of the manufacturers of those scrapers are no longer on the market, and on the other, alternative products are completely unique. Optimal results with modern grit traps HUBER offers an innovative alternative: the HUBER Longitudinal Grit Trap ROTAMAT® Ro6 with a grit removal screw. What makes it special is the robust screw conveyor at the bottom of the grit channel. This screw, with its hollow shaft, extends along the entire length (up to 42 m) of the grit channel and conveys the sediment step by step to the grit pump (centrifugal pump or pneumatic lift). Blockages in the grit pump, as is often the case with blade-type scrapers, are a thing of the past, as the grit is fed to the pump in small batches. Thanks to the use of the grit removal screw at the bottom of the grit channel, bridge-mounted scrapers are a thing of the past, and the grit traps can now be fully covered to prevent odour emissions. HUBER can, as usual, supply other internal components, such as aeration or grease removal systems, in stainless steel to suit the specific concrete structure. We also provide a comprehensive engineering package. If the old grit channel is to be optimised not only for grit removal but also in terms of separation efficiency, HUBER offers the ideal solution in the form of the innovative HUBER Grit Trap GritWolf® with an integrated lamella separator. In this case, however, the cross-section of the grit channel must be adjusted accordingly. In recent years, HUBER has successfully supplied the solution with the grit removal screw at the bottom of the channel. Among other projects, large mechanical treatment stages have been commissioned in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania and the USA, either as new builds or retrofit projects. This impressively demonstrates that HUBER offers the right solution for every grit separation application.[...]

[...]Every wastewater regulation specifies a limit value for ‘lipophilic substances’, which in practice are referred to as grease. As a rule, more than 90 per cent of the total grease concentration is often present as dispersed grease particles and emulsified grease. Conventional grit and grease traps at sewage treatment works can only retain non-dispersed, floatable grease (DWA M760). The remaining dispersed substances are separated in the biological treatment section of the sewage treatment works. Various grit chamber solutions Factory-built grit chambers are often combined with grease traps (floating-material separators) (DIN 19569-13). According to DWA, factory-built and cast-in-situ aerated long grit chambers – i.e. grit channels with a specific length-to-width ratio – can be supplemented with a grease trap (grease trap pocket) by means of a slotted partition wall. The HUBER Complete Plant ROTAMAT ® Ro5 has been manufactured for over 30 years using state-of-the-art technology with a separate grease trap, as shown in Figure 1. Factory-built, manufacturer-specific grit chambers do not usually have a separate grease trap pocket, but instead separate the floating matter by means of a submerged baffle at the outlet of the grit chamber. Effective grease separation requires large, calm surfaces to ensure that the floating matter accumulated on the liquid surface is not resuspended. In the case of aerated DWA grit channels with a side-mounted grease trap, the non-dispersed, floatable fats are transferred into the grease trap by the resulting laminar flow and remain there until removal. Factory-manufactured, customised grit chambers which operate without a grease collection trap despite being aerated can only retain non-dispersed, floatable fats to a limited extent due to the very turbulent surface. One exception is the HUBER Complete Plant Hydro Duct ROTAMAT ® Ro5 HD system, as this machine features a non-aerated section with a calm surface. Removal and disposal of floating matter The removal and disposal of retained floating matter are handled in different ways. HUBER grit chambers use automatically operated paddle scrapers without exception (see Figure 2). The accumulated floating matter is pushed along the grease trap pocket or a baffle wall and, at the end, is discharged into a grease collection shaft via an inclined ramp (see Figure 3), having been partially dewatered. A level-controlled screw pump conveys the moist solids, where possible, into a raw sludge shaft (digestion) or into a separate container. Other systems attempt to remove the accumulated floating matter using fixed, height-adjustable pumping equipment, or flush the floating matter into a channel using a large volume of wastewater by raising the water level. In both cases, solid–liquid separation must take place in an external, additional unit to avoid problems in the digester or during disposal by third parties. As a general rule, returning the grease–water mixture to the wastewater stream (upstream of the screen) or feeding it into a wash press should be avoided.[...]

[...]Stemwede, Germany At the Stemwede wastewater treatment plant in North Rhine-Westphalia, a major infrastructure project has been successfully completed in recent months: The plant’s mechanical pre-treatment system has been completely renewed. This involved the removal of two ageing screens and the refurbishment of the concrete channel. Subsequently, two modern HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® units with 5 mm bar spacing and a high-performance HUBER Wash Press WAP were installed. In addition, a HUBER Coanda Grit Washer RoSF4 has been operating reliably at the plant since 2004. Complex construction work The work was carried out whilst the plant was operating as normal. This placed high demands on planning, coordination and collaboration. Downtime or reductions in wastewater treatment performance had to be avoided at all costs. To ensure this, the project was divided into two clearly separate stages: First, one screen was replaced whilst the second string ensured continued operation. Subsequently, the second section of the plant was refurbished. In addition to replacing the mechanical equipment, a comprehensive refurbishment of the concrete channel was also required. This structural work was necessary to ensure the new technology could be optimally integrated and to establish the plant’s long-term operational reliability. A partnership of equals A key factor in the project’s success was the close and trusting collaboration between the plant operator and HUBER SE. From detailed planning through coordination of the construction phases right through to commissioning, both sides worked in close coordination. The shared goal: a reliable, high-performance and future-proof pre-treatment system for the Stemwede sewage treatment works. The wastewater plant manager, Sandro Menne, gives a thoroughly positive assessment: ‘This project has shown what is possible when everyone involved pulls together. Despite the work being carried out whilst the plant was in operation, everything went smoothly – that’s exactly how you imagine such a project to go.’ Greater efficiency and operational reliability With the new screening technology and the integrated wash press, the mechanical pre-treatment system in Stemwede is now state-of-the-art. The plant benefits from higher separation efficiency, improved screenings treatment and, overall, increased operational reliability. The project in Stemwede is therefore a successful example of how even challenging refurbishment measures in existing facilities can be implemented when planning, technology and collaborative partnership go hand in hand.[...]

[...]Ilkley, England In May 2024, HUBER received the initial design order for a project at Ilkley from its client, Ward and Burke Construction Ltd, with Yorkshire Water as the end user. The full order was confirmed in October 2024 and included the supply, installation supervision, commissioning, and training for the following equipment: 2 x HUBER Storm Screen ROTAMAT® RoK1 2 x HUBER Lidded Trough Screw Conveyor Ro8 T 2 x HUBER Wash Press WAP® L 4 Extensive infrastructure project A key component of the project was the design and construction of a 17,500 m³ storm tank to help the wastewater treatment plant to manage increased stormwater volumes. The proposed tank comprises dimensions of 135 m (L) x 25 m (W) x 5.2 m (average depth). The flushing chamber pockets comprise five chambers with the dimensions 1.8 m (L) x 4.9 m (W) x 2.975 m (D), providing an approximate flushing volume of 26 m³ per chamber. As part of the scope of works, Ward and Burke engaged HUBER to provide a stormwater screening solution to remove screenings from the incoming flow prior to entry into the tank. Influent flows are screened using the HUBER Storm Screens ROTAMAT® RoK1. The anticipated peak flow is 3,500 l/s, with each screen sized to handle 1,834 l/s, providing a combined capacity of 3,668 l/s. From the outset, it was clear that this would be a complex undertaking. Over the following months, the design phase required extensive collaboration with the client, with numerous revisions and discussions to address site constraints, operational requirements, and proposed design changes for both the storm tank and the HUBER equipment. HUBER’s proposed solution was two Storm Screens ROTAMAT® RoK1 500/6 9.375 mm 0°, each capable of passing a spill flow of 1,834 l/s. They feed into their own separate Screw Conveyors Ro8 T with a length of 7.200 mm. Each conveyor is capable of processing 4.0 m³/h. The conveyors feed into their own separate Wash Press WAP® L4, which has been designed to provide efficient separation of organic material from sewage screenings with subsequent screenings, compaction and dewatering, prior to discharge into the skip. Each Wash Press can process up to 4.0 m³/h. Successful delivery and commissioning Production was released in January 2025, and once the machines were delivered from Germany, the HUBER UK workshop team completed the final assembly works. All equipment was then delivered to site in a single shipment in June 2025, with installation supervision carried out at the same time. Due to the scale of the site and the ongoing civil works, the installation phase progressed over an extended period while the site works were being completed. Ward and Burke successfully completed the installation, and HUBER commissioning was finalised in February 2026. This was another highly interesting project from design concept to full operation, helping to make our “water world” cleaner and more sustainable. Overall, this was a successful project delivering multiple HUBER machines, and we are very pleased with the outcome. Special thanks go to our Northern regional team for their continued support throughout the site activities.[...]

[...]Toronto, Canada In May 2025, Kevin Schneider embarked on the first service consultant tour of Canada – a country that impresses not only with its scenery, but also with its openness to sustainable environmental technology. In his report, Kevin recounts his journey, which offered a unique combination of intensive customer support and unforgettable experiences. One country, two oceans, and one goal: customer proximity The journey took me from Toronto via Calgary to the west coast and Vancouver Island. The tour in the Toronto region was organised by our subsidiary, HUBER Canada. In Calgary and Vancouver, coordination was handled jointly by our long-standing representative Ramtech and HUBER Canada. The aim of the trip was to visit customer sites, solve technical challenges together on site and further strengthen our international service network. Week 1: Toronto – Edmonton – Calgary Toronto, Ontario The tour began in Toronto, the economic hub of Canada. Accompanied by a colleague from HUBER Canada, I visited several wastewater treatment plants in the greater Toronto area where HUBER machines have been operating successfully for years. Our systems' reliability was particularly impressive, even under Ontario's sometimes extreme climatic conditions. Our customers were impressed and very grateful for the direct support provided by a HUBER service consultant from Germany. Edmonton & Calgary, Alberta In the province of Alberta, our representative Ramtech accompanied me on customer visits in Edmonton and Calgary. The focus here was on technical consultations, plant inspections and training. In Calgary in particular, valuable feedback on installed machines was gathered and translated into concrete improvement measures. Week 2: Vancouver – Kelowna – Vancouver Island (Tofino, Victoria), British Columbia Vancouver and the surrounding area At the start of the second week, the tour took me to Vancouver and the surrounding area. Together with Ramtech, I visited several wastewater treatment plants between Vancouver and Kelowna. The focus was on technical upgrades, condition assessments and training. Of particular note was the keen interest of the operators in practical support and technical training. Tofino and Victoria – local municipal and industrial customers Between Tofino and Victoria, I visited local municipal and industrial customers. I was particularly pleased to visit the completely newly built wastewater treatment plant in Tofino, which is fully equipped with HUBER machines. The operator was extremely satisfied with the performance and user-friendliness of the new systems. The other customer visits on the island were also very positive. Direct support from a German service consultant was, as at all other stops, greatly appreciated and seen as a strong signal of our customer focus. In conclusion: Canada marks a milestone in our global service approach The service consultant tour of Canada was a complete success, both professionally and personally. Direct interaction with customers, excellent organisation by HUBER Canada and Ramtech, and a variety of technical challenges made the trip a milestone. I would particularly like to mention the positive feedback from customers, who greatly appreciated the personal support from Germany. I am already looking forward to future tours in North America, now that the foundations for continued successful cooperation have been established.[...]

[...]India The joint venture A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech continues to grow in the field of sludge dewatering, achieving considerable success with the HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS®. To provide optimal support for the first commissioning projects in India, twelve of the partner’s service technicians completed two intensive online training courses delivered by the HUBER Service Academy. This laid an important foundation for a smooth project start and the sustainable transfer of knowledge. Deepening technical and process knowledge The first training module focused on the technical fundamentals of the supplied machinery. The participants gained structured insights into the design and operation of the Q-PRESS®, specific installation guidelines and systematic commissioning preparation and execution. Thanks to the practical approach, the colleagues developed a solid understanding of mechanical processes and the relevant control functions. The second training module deepened the process-related know-how that is crucial for stable and efficient operation. Topics covered included design guidelines for peripheral plant components, such as polymer preparation and mixing technology and pumps, as well as setting key control parameters correctly. The participants also learnt how to interpret key performance indicators, optimise processes in a targeted manner, and reliably resolve typical faults. This provided the service technicians with both theoretical knowledge and concrete recommendations for action in the field. Successful application and strengthened collaboration The compact training course had an immediate impact: Shortly after it concluded, A.T.E. HUBER Envirotech reported the successful commissioning of a project involving three HUBER Screw Press Q-PRESS® 440.2 units, leaving the customer highly satisfied. This outcome highlights the importance of joint knowledge transfer and the high quality of the training provided. The training programme strengthened the technical expertise of our Indian colleagues and also furthered international cooperation. The HUBER Service Academy is thus making an important contribution to global quality assurance and the successful implementation of future projects.[...]

[...]Barueri, Brazil A comprehensive two-week intensive training course was held at the HUBER Service Academy in preparation for the major Barueri project in Brazil, one of the largest wastewater treatment plant projects in South America. Delivery of the machinery for this project has already begun, comprising a total of 85 units for mechanical wastewater pre-treatment and grit treatment. This includes four different types of screens, for this project and a sister project, namely the HUBER Course Screen TrashMax®, the HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift, the HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax®, and the HUBER Belt Screen EscaMax®. The portfolio is complemented by HUBER Launder Channel HLC units, the downstream HUBER Screenings Wash Press WAP® L, HUBER Grit Trap GritWolf® and the HUBER Coanda Grit Washer RoSF4. Comprehensive training programme The training course combined detailed theoretical sessions with practical training modules. It covered operational principles, control logic, installation guidelines and systematic troubleshooting procedures. The practical sessions focused on typical inspection, adjustment and maintenance tasks. In addition, two site visits provided the opportunity to accompany HUBER service specialists in maintaining a HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® at nearby wastewater treatment plants, to inspect wear parts and to understand the operational processes of a HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift. In addition to the machine-specific content, further training was provided on measurement technology and sensor systems, on control processes for complex interlinked systems, and on the use of surveying and levelling equipment. Another key focus was on the detection and prevention of corrosion. The international training group comprised four participants from Brazil, from both the customer and HUBER do Brasil, as well as service colleagues from Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic and Latvia. In addition to the technical exchange, there was a supporting programme featuring group dinners, a visit to an FC Bayern home match and the 'Rossmarkt' winter folk festival in Berching, offering insights into Bavarian culture. Building expertise as a foundation for the future Six trainers from various HUBER departments were on hand to ensure a high standard of training. A simultaneous interpreter was also available for the Brazilian participants. Having now completed the two-week intensive phase, our Brazilian colleagues are fully prepared for their roles in the major Barueri project. We would like to thank our client for the great trust they have placed in us with this significant large-scale project. Such comprehensive training ensures that subsequent plant operation is as well-prepared as possible and can be carried out to the highest standard in the long term.[...]

[...]Berching, Germany Anyone planning or operating a wastewater treatment plant, or looking to optimise an existing process, faces growing challenges today. These include stricter legal requirements, rising energy costs and the need for sustainable resource use, all of which require reliable, robust and efficient technical systems. Operating a wastewater treatment plant is like maintaining a finely tuned clockwork mechanism – if one cog fails, the whole system stops working. In such an environment, having a partner who can offer complete, coordinated process chains as well as individual machines is a decisive advantage. This is precisely where HUBER comes in as a full-range supplier. Sludge treatment: a process that deserves more attention A significant proportion of a wastewater treatment plant’s operating costs are accounted for by sludge treatment. Yet in the public consciousness, it is often merely perceived as a 'waste problem'. However, it is a highly complex process that adds value, in which every detail matters. This is precisely where the advantages of a supplier with a comprehensive portfolio become apparent. The quality of the entire process chain starts right at the sludge screening stage. The HUBER Sludgecleaner STRAINPRESS® removes contaminants at an early stage of the process. Although this may seem trivial, it has a significant impact on operational reliability and subsequent process stages. Next comes sludge thickening, a process that is often underestimated. In fact, it plays a decisive role in determining the energy and cost requirements of subsequent steps. HUBER offers solutions that can be precisely adapted to local needs, utilising a variety of technologies such as disc, belt, or screw. This diversity is not an end in itself, but enables the creation of tailor-made, sustainable process chains for the end customer. In the subsequent dewatering stage, the sludge is brought to an economically viable dry matter content, which is a key factor when it comes to disposal and transport costs. The more water that is removed from the sludge at this stage, the less mass will need to be transported later. This not only reduces operating costs but also significantly improves the carbon‑footprint of the entire process: Less material means fewer transport journeys, lower energy consumption and, consequently, significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. This is precisely where the strength of a full-liner lies: Different machine types, but a coordinated overall concept that ensures thickening and dewatering mesh together perfectly and guarantee a consistently high quality of the dewatered sludge. The final step is thermal sludge treatment, which transforms waste into a valuable raw material. This can be achieved using solar-assisted, belt-based or rotary drying methods. Whether solar-assisted, belt-based or rotary-dried, solutions such as the HUBER Sludge Turner SOLSTICE®, the HUBER Belt Dryer BT or the HUBER Disc Dryer RotaDry® can meet a wide range of energy, local and end-product specifications. Compared to dewatering alone, sludge drying significantly improves the overall environmental balance. The dried sludge is lighter, significantly more stable and considerably more compact. This reduces transport costs and associated emissions further. At the same time, it produces a material that is easy to store and can be used for energy recovery — a process that offers economic benefits and supports the CO₂‑neutrality of modern wastewater treatment plants. Thanks to our wide range of products and processes, we can always focus on delivering optimal customer benefits. All these machines are interconnected by screw conveyors and transport technology. What often appears unremarkable is, in fact, the backbone of a reliably functioning plant. Case study: Erlangen wastewater treatment plant The Erlangen wastewater treatment plant is one of the most efficient facilities in Bavaria. Every day, around 35,000 m³ of wastewater is treated mechanically, biologically and chemically – enough to reliably treat the wastewater equivalent of up to 350,000 inhabitants. Particularly noteworthy is the site’s energy performance: Through extensive modernisation of the digestion tanks and continuous process optimisation, energy consumption has been reduced by around 1 million kWh per annum. In 2020, the treatment plant achieved energy neutrality for the first time by combining the use of biogas and photovoltaics, and has covered its entire heating and electricity requirements independently ever since. Erlangen is therefore a striking example of how technical coordination, efficient processes, and modern plant concepts can come together. Furthermore, the Erlangen sewage treatment plant demonstrates the effectiveness of a comprehensive portfolio. It impressively illustrates how various HUBER components interlock seamlessly: Even the intake technology for sewer cleaning vehicles and road sweepers is fully coordinated – from the intake hopper and discharge screw to the grit washing system. This ensures robust, low-wear operations in an area subject to particularly high stresses. Mechanical treatment involves the use of step screens, wash presses and grit washing plants. It is crucial to ensure that these processes run reliably because any blockages, grit content or coarse material will affect subsequent stages of wastewater and sludge treatment. Erlangen also relies on HUBER technology for further treatment. Screening systems and wastewater heat exchangers provide mechanical relief and enable energy recovery, which is an increasingly important aspect of modern sewage treatment plants. Of particular note is the HUBER Belt Dryer BT 16, which handles thermal sludge treatment. This highlights just how important it is to coordinate all the preceding process steps. Consistent incoming sludge, reliable dewatering and a suitable feeding system are the prerequisites for stable and energy-efficient drying operations. W hy a full-service provider makes all the difference A wastewater treatment plant is not made up of individual machines, but of process chains that must work together seamlessly. If each link in this chain is supplied by a different manufacturer, coordination issues, interface problems and organisational friction are inevitable. A full-line supplier such as HUBER offers clear advantages here: A consistent service and control philosophy Coordinated interfaces and material flows Lower operational risk Planning reliability for decades to come A look at Erlangen shows: When a partner can cover several process steps, the result is a system that works well and impresses in technical, economic and sustainable terms.[...]