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Review of the Seasonal Wastewater Challenges in Baltic Coastal Tourist Areas: Insights from the NURSECOAST-II Project

Author

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  • Izabela Konkol

    (Physical Aspects of Eco Energy Department, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Ksawery Kuligowski

    (Physical Aspects of Eco Energy Department, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Piotr Szafranowicz

    (Physical Aspects of Eco Energy Department, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

  • Virpi Vorne

    (Natural Resources Institute, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, 90570 Oulu, Finland)

  • Anu Reinikainen

    (Natural Resources Institute, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Nina Effelsberg

    (EUCC–Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V., Friedrich-Barnewitz-Straße 3, D-18119 Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany)

  • Morten Lykkegaard Christensen

    (Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, H, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Maria Svensson

    (Municipality of Söderhamn, Söderhamns Kommun, 826 80 Söderhamn, Sweden)

  • Janis Zviedris

    (SIA VNK Serviss, Saules Iela 19, 3601 Ventspils, Latvia)

  • Jolanta Dvarioniene

    (Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, Gedimino St. 50-311, LT-44239 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Adam Cenian

    (Physical Aspects of Eco Energy Department, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 St., 80-231 Gdansk, Poland)

Abstract

The NURSECOAST-II project addresses the challenge of managing wastewater in near-coastal tourist destinations around the Baltic Sea, particularly from small treatment plants (<2000 PE) that experience fluctuating flows due to seasonal tourism. These fluctuations make it difficult to meet environmental standards, potentially harming both the environment and tourism. The project has created a GIS-based inventory of small wastewater treatment plants within 100 km of the coast. This inventory includes crucial operational data like flow rates, pollutant levels, and treatment technologies. Initial findings reveal significant discrepancies in data management, regulations, and treatment standards across the Baltic Sea region countries, as EU legislation does not uniformly cover plants under 2000 PE. Key findings highlight that small treatment plants are often undocumented, their environmental impact underestimated, and regulations vary widely. Small plants can significantly contribute to nutrient pollution, affecting the Baltic Sea, particularly in local areas. The data gathered will support local authorities in identifying gaps and improving management strategies. This study stresses the need for harmonized data collection and reporting methods across countries and suggests establishing a unified database accessible to both specialists and the public. The status of the collected data depending on the type of data and country was as follows: 38.11% from Denmark, 46.14% from Estonia, 26.36% from Finland, 15.56% from Germany, 23.47% from Latvia, 34.77% from Lithuania, 14.51% from Poland, and 45.40% from Sweden. Ultimately, this project aims to enhance wastewater management, protect the environment, and improve tourist satisfaction in coastal regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Izabela Konkol & Ksawery Kuligowski & Piotr Szafranowicz & Virpi Vorne & Anu Reinikainen & Nina Effelsberg & Morten Lykkegaard Christensen & Maria Svensson & Janis Zviedris & Jolanta Dvarioniene & Ada, 2024. "Review of the Seasonal Wastewater Challenges in Baltic Coastal Tourist Areas: Insights from the NURSECOAST-II Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9890-:d:1520012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marzena Smol & Michał Preisner & Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Ludwig Hermann & Tanja Schaaf & Jolita Kruopienė & Kastytis Pamakštys & Maris Klavins & Ruta Ozola-Davidane & Daina Kalnina & Elina, 2020. "Strategies for Sustainable and Circular Management of Phosphorus in the Baltic Sea Region: The Holistic Approach of the InPhos Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Marta Jaskulak & Maksymilian Sotomski & Małgorzata Michalska & Roman Marks & Katarzyna Zorena, 2022. "The Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Failure on the Gulf of Gdansk (Southern Baltic Sea)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-18, February.
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