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 withBeijing 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 in December 2016 and followed by the maintenance phase.
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 reclaimed water is used for industrial and commercial use, and it is also used to replenish the adjacent bodies of water and wetland parks, 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.
