As the utility partnership is being continued, Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln (StEB Köln) invited representatives of Stadtentwässerung Dresden (SEDD) and the wastewater and water utilities Lvivvodokanal, Ternopil and Nadvirna to a working meeting from 13 to 15 May.
In several workshops, the participants jointly developed the main objectives of the collaboration and built up a sustainable network to promote sustainable development to safeguard wastewater quality.
The event marks an important milestone in the successful cooperation between the German and Ukrainian partners.
Insight into the operating processes
After being welcomed by Heinz Brandenburg, Deputy CEO of StEB Köln, the partners introduced their respective companies and explained their expectations for successful cooperation. The presentation of the wastewater treatment plant plan for Lviv made it possible to identify initial potential for improvement.
On the second day, the utility partners were given a comprehensive introduction to the operations of StEB Köln. The participants also discussed StEB Köln’s approach to getting young people interested in the wastewater sector. In this context, the delegation visited the ‘Water School Cologne’.
In the afternoon, part of the group was guided through the processes of the wastewater laboratory at StEB Köln. There they were able to observe the analysis of indirect dischargers and the monitoring of wastewater discharges into the Rhine. The other participants took part in the annual external audit of the Rodenkirchen wastewater treatment plant. Both events provided practical insights into the regulatory framework and quality standards of StEB Köln.
The tour concluded with a visit to a canal construction site with an insight into the so-called ‘Kölner Stollen’.
Clear goals for the future
‘Our overarching goal is to support our Ukrainian partners in implementing European working standards, for example in taking user requirements into account or integrating newly researched water treatment methods,’ explains Christoph Weith, project manager of the utility partnership at StEB Köln.
Future workshops are expected to focus on the implementation of new facilities and the further development of online analytics. This collaboration aims to strengthen capacities for modern and sustainable water management on the ground. ‘While the main objective of the visit was to define common goals, we achieved much more: our digital partners became real friends by getting to know each other personally,’ says Christoph Weith.
The twelve-strong delegation was able to gain many new impressions and celebrated Ukrainian Vyshyvanka Day together – this time in a brewery in Cologne.
