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Project

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NURSECOAST-II

The NURSECOAST-II (Model Nutrients Reduction Solutions In Near-Coast Touristic Areas) project aims to better adapt wastewater treatment systems to a high seasonality in tourist spots and improve the status of the coastal sea of the Baltic.

Lighthouse on Saaremaa island, Estonia. Photo: Ullar Hendla / EyeEm/ Getty Images

Active project

2023–2025

Project contact

Tiia Pedusaar

The NURSECOAST-II project focuses on the problems of small wastewater treatment systems related to tourism on the sea coast. High variability in flow caused by the seasonality of tourism makes it challenging to obtain the required effluent quality at any time. The effluent quality, in turn, affects the state of the coastal sea and the attractiveness of these tourist spots.

The project will pilot different approaches to treat excess wastewater during the peak tourism period, such as wastewater treatment technologies, treated wastewater reuse, nature-based solutions, greywater and sludge management. In addition,  the exploratory surveys on small wastewater systems will be conducted to improve knowledge of everyday operation problems, compile several tutorials based on the project´s results, and formulate policy guidelines for wastewater treatment at the Baltic Sea region´s tourist destinations. The main target groups are local public authorities, tourist attraction owners, and wastewater treatment plant operators.

SEI Tallinn will survey decentralised wastewater systems in Moonsund Archipelago in Western Estonia. In addition, SEI Tallinn is the leader of the communication work package of the project.

Video: What will bring the NURSECOAST-II project?

Animation “Summer dreams at Baltic Sea”:

 

Partners

  • The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Polish Academy of Sciences (lead partner) (Poland)
  • Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania)
  • Natural Resources Institute Finland (Finland)
  • Environmental School of Finland (Finland)
  • Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association (Finland)
  • Aalborg University (Denmark)
  • The Bogdan Janski Bure Misie Community Foundation (Poland)
  • Jurmala Udens Water Utility (Latvia)
  • Municipality of Söderhamn (Sweden)
  • Municipality of Inga (Finland)
  • Municipality of Smoldzino (Poland)
  • JSC Neringa Water (Lithuania)
  • Ecovillage Egeskoven (Denmark)
  • NK forsyning (Denmark)
  • Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (Poland)
  • EUCC -The Coastal Union Germany (Germany)

Funding

This project is funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027 programme and co-funded by the European Union.

Project team

Helen Poltimäe

Senior Expert (Climate Systems and Energy Policy Unit)

SEI Tallinn

Johanna Lehtmets

Communications Manager

Communications

SEI Tallinn

Anette Parksepp

Communications Expert

Communications

SEI Tallinn

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