ATB Water English: Wastewater treatment plants for camping sites

Wastewater treatment and recycling in camping sites

Camping has a faithful fan base and is again completely in fashion – and not only just since the Corona crisis. Hardly surprising. The camper stands for freedom, independence and a comparatively inexpensive holiday. Camping is, however, at lot more. It is a feeling of being alive, which at the moment is being rediscovered by the younger generation. Those whom climate and environmental protection are more important than the long-haul flight to Australia are rewarded with a relaxed holiday on wonderful camping sites. However, as with other booms, this trend also has its downside. The environmentally sound treatment and recycling of the wastewater for instance, presents camping site operators, planning offices and installers of wastewater treatment plants with major challenges. It is now time to take a closer look at the possible solutions.

Overcrowded camping sites demand new concepts

As true East Westphalian family business we take on the responsibility – for our customers, our colleagues and the environment. This company philosophy is reflected also in our range of services. Thus we have developed branch solutions with which ATB WATER supported camping site operators, in Germany and the whole of Europe, with the planning and implementation of sustainable wastewater concepts.

Everywhere, where there are many people to be found, they leave marks – and meant here are not just the tyre tracks of caravans. It is much more about litter and wastewater. As there was hardly a single camping site operator who could reckon with the current boom, many waste and wastewater concepts were also not prepared for the rush of visitors. Wastewater volumes at campsites fluctuate extremely - daily and seasonally. So a modern solution is needed that meets the increased requirements - in terms of wastewater volume and in terms of environmentally friendly implementation. For all the different types of wastewater there are different statutory rules and regulations, which camping site operators must take into account – from water rights law over the waste management law up to commercial statutory orders.

Practical Report camping site

Gentle tourism and deliberate environmental engagement

Every year the season for the friends of camping and nature starts anew on 1st April in the tiny locality of Habernis on the Flensburger Förde: Caravans are aired, awnings are scrubbed and folding chairs set up. And: The AQUAMAX^® XL is prepared for a highly variable time.

If you spend a little time here you sense that people here still live in an intact world. And in order that it stays this way residents and authorities work hand in hand on the maintenance of the wild-romantic nature. The almost 75 permanent and 25 exchange campers, who form a large, harmonious family on the Habernis camping site appreciate this engagement and reward the rather economically weak community with their regular presence in the summer months and in the shool holidays – and with their spending power which secures the existence of the local commercial activities. That the environment can be rapidly impaired despite such a “gentle” tourism is obvious. Therefore, already in 1994, two pits, without outlets, with a total volume of ca. 14 cubicmetres were installed on the Habernis camping site for the wastewater produced. Nevertheless, due to the relatively large removal quantity of up to 160 cubic metres per month and the from one year to another increasing removal costs, the operator of the camping site, Uwe Fiehl, had to think of some-thing in order to be able to continue to rent his in all 100 parking places economically.

Following various discussions with the responsible subordinate water authority and intensive research into the subject of types of plant, suppliers and value for money, a wastewater treatment technology firm in the environs was tasked to develop and realise a future-oriented wastewater treatment concept. No sooner said than done. Together with ATB, the resident wastewater firm in October 2003 finally realised a plant concept which more than met the expectations of Uwe Fiehl. A plant which handles, without problem, the maximum anticipated volume of wastewater and also the extreme seasonal variations – after all the camping site is closed annually from the beginning of November to the end of March and even during the open months the loads vary between 30 cubic metres in the opening month of April and 160 cubic metres in the peak month of August and in the school holidays. Following structural inspection of the assets even the existing pits were included and the financial expense significantly minimised. Following a first successful season using this new and retrofitted plant in 2004, the comment from Uwe Fiehl was: “Super! The plant functions economically for consumption and is absolutely reliable; we have reduced our costs considerably and our existence base has been protected, oriented towards the future.

The wastewater treatment plant: the AQUAMAX^® XL 80 PT.

The Camping site Habernis project at a glance

Owner: Camping site Habernis, Uwe Fiehl

Project management, Implementation & Installation: ATB WATER GmbH

Pecliarities: Retrofitting of an existing multichamber cesspit

Cost of plant technology: Ca. 11.000,- €

Commissioning: October 2003

Required treatment performance : COD < 150 mg/l / BOD₅ < 40 mg/l

Overflow values: not known before editorial conclusion

Our digital whitepaper

Learn all about wastewater treatment and recycling at campsites here, because after all, clean water is becoming increasingly important as a resource. Not only in Germany or Europe. Many camping site operators have already implemented this. In our whitepaper you will find references and opinions from camping site operators with whom we have already carried out successful projects. Be part of it and help us to further our vision.

For a world with clean water - Because water protection is climate protection.

Whitepaper

Projects as video

The two videos show the installation of ATB WATER purification technology on campsites in Belgium and France.

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