Wastewater treatment plant in Butila might produce energy for heating one part of Sarajevo thanks to technologies of processing of by-products and waste.
Except for positive effect of wastewater treatment and ensuring that the Bosna River is clean, the plant also has a by-product – waste sludge, which could become a problem in the Sarajevo Canton if not dealt with timely.
In the pre-war period, when the plant was operating, the waste sludge posed a problem because landfill was the only place where sludge could be disposed of. as it is known, a landfill neither has the capacity nor it can receive and dispose sludge because of regulations.
Therefore, Fund for environmental protection of FBiH in cooperation with relevant cantonal and federal institutions intends to launch activities regarding this issue, following the example of large number of EU countries where successful solutions to this problem were found by using waste sludge and landfill waste to produce energy.
“There are numerous examples of using energy from waste to heat parts of the city, for agriculture and heating of greenhouses, etc. The Fund believes that the Canton and Sarajevo as the capital should go in that direction and be leaders in this area when it comes to solving environmental problems, not delaying them,” said the Director of the Fund Fuad Cibukčić.
The plant in Butila, which is practically self-sustainable in terms of energy thanks to the energy from methane separated from sludge, is currently in trial operation. Putting of the plant into full operation, which is expected in the coming months, will be a huge event for entire BiH. However, it will only have the full effect when authorities take care that all city sewerage is connected with this plant, instead of large part of it still going to the Miljacka River.
(Source: radiosarajevo.ba)
