Reduction of point source pollution
Leading benerficiary: B-Nature (previously known as Association Baltic Coasts)
Supporting beneficiaries: Ministry of Climate and Energy, Latvian Water and Wastewater Works Association, Tukums County Council, Jelgava Local Municipality
Point source pollution from municipal wastewater treatment plants, decentralised wastewater systems and inadequate sewage sludge management is one of the significant pressures affecting the quality of Latvia’s surface waters. The LIFE GoodWater IP project addresses these challenges by combining scientific assessments, innovative wastewater treatment solutions and national policy development. The project demonstrates practical approaches to reducing pollutant and nutrient loads entering water bodies through improvements to wastewater treatment infrastructure at the Nākotne and Engure demonstration sites, while the development of Latvia’s National Sewage Sludge Management Strategy supports improved long-term wastewater and sludge management across the country.
The objective “Reduction of point source pollution” combines three activities:
- A3 – assessments, modelling, recommendations and technical designs;
- C2 – development and implementation of the National Sewage Sludge Management Strategy;
- C7 – practical wastewater-treatment improvements in Nākotne and Engure.
Together, these activities reduce pollution from wastewater and sewage sludge and support the Water Framework Directive objective of achieving good water-body status.
2020–2021: assessments and planning
The project assessed the impact of centralised and decentralised wastewater systems in Nākotne and Engure. In Engure, groundwater studies based on 29 wells identified signs of anthropogenic and faecal pollution, while information on decentralised systems was collected for 303 of 383 household addresses.
The assessments showed that Nākotne required a new wastewater treatment plant, while Engure needed improvements to the existing system. Practical recommendations, action plans and technical designs were prepared for both sites.
At national level, the project assessed sewage-sludge production and use, studied treatment technologies and investment needs, prepared legislative recommendations and developed the draft National Sewage Sludge Strategy. Six thematic stakeholder seminars were also organised.
2022–2023: tools, designs and first construction works
A GIS-based modelling tool was completed to assess the impact of decentralised wastewater systems on groundwater and support the selection of suitable treatment solutions.
In Engure, a new sewage-receiving and mechanical pre-treatment unit was constructed and completed in October 2022.
In Nākotne, the detailed design was revised to include a constructed wetland for additional wastewater treatment. The building permit was issued in September 2023, and the final design was completed in October.
Meanwhile, the National Sewage Sludge Strategy underwent extensive interinstitutional consultation, including the assessment of more than 60 objections.
2024: strategy approval and infrastructure implementation
On 28 March 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Wastewater Sludge Management Plan for 2024–2027. It establishes a national framework for regional sludge-processing centres, governance arrangements, financing and future legislation.
In Engure, a higher-capacity backup generator was installed to reduce the risk of untreated wastewater discharge during electricity outages.
In Nākotne, construction began on a new biological wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 100 m³ per day.
2025: Nākotne plant commissioned
The new Nākotne wastewater treatment system was commissioned on 16 May 2025. It includes:
- a biological treatment plant;
- two sewage pumping stations;
- a pressure sewer and flow-monitoring equipment;
- a constructed wetland;
- a 3D educational model (intended for the “Green Class” educational concept).
This educational component was intended to explain wastewater-treatment processes to residents, schools, municipalities, water utilities and other interested groups and to support the transfer of knowledge from the demonstration investment.
Testing showed major treatment improvements: total suspended solids decreased from 95 to 20 mg/L, while biochemical oxygen demand fell from 65 to 6.5 mg/L.
Work also continued on legislation, financing and institutional arrangements needed to implement the national sewage-sludge plan. Four thematic stakeholder seminars were also organised (10 in total).
Results achieved by the end of 2026
The project has:
- completed wastewater assessments, recommendations and designs;
- developed a decentralised wastewater risk-modelling tool;
- improved the Engure wastewater treatment plant;
- constructed and commissioned a new treatment plant and wetland in Nākotne;
- developed and secured approval of Latvia’s national sewage-sludge management plan in 2024.