Beijing Huaifang: Asia’s largest underground MBR-based WWTP

Beijing, the state capital, is facing a problem of water scarcity caused by climate change and urbanization. Ever-increasing water pollution and wastewater treatment pressure are hindering development. In 2015, SUEZ worked with Beijing Drainage Group to upgrade the plant to the biggest underground MBR-based WWTP* in Asia with cutting-edge technology.
The mission

Located in southwest Beijing, the 3-floor plant is built underground to save valuable land. It spans an area of 162,000 m2 with its water treatment equipment. The project aims to improve wastewater and sludge treatment capacity, improve flood control and treated water quality. On top of the plant, a public wetland leisure park will be built. Technical challenges related to this project are mainly due to:

•    The main treatment processes being located underground
•    Higher treated water quality standards after commissioning
•    The complexity of achieving odor-free, low-noise operations
•    The challenge of generating sludge power for internal use
•    The challenge of recycling wastewater to the wetland park

Our solution
SUEZ is responsible for making purchases and accepting them upon delivery. It also oversees the installation, commissioning, O&M of all treatment facilities and equipment to optimize the treatment performance. The execution team demonstrates expertise in equipment integration and excellence in project management to meet client needs in various aspects. The project was completed to a high standard in December 2016 and transferred to the Maintenance and Aftersales teams.
The result

Today, the plant is capable of recycling 200 million m3 of wastewater a year, which significantly relieves the pressure of wastewater treatment in southern Beijing. The recycled water is used for industrial and commercial purposes and also to replenish nearby waterways, bringing both environmental and economic benefits for sustainable development.

 

Thanks to a high level of automation, as well as a comprehensive monitoring system, this giant plant operates smoothly, while staff with fewer than 20 people.

 

200
million

m3/year wastewater converted

to recycled water

<20
people

to operate the plant

 

* As of November 2018