Lifelong learning tools for the needs of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)

Actor: Lahti university of applied Sviences   ●   Year: 2018   ●   Address:

Lahti University of Applied Sciences (Lamk) is producing lifelong learning tools, which help waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Baltic Sea region to develop their activities and capabilities to decrease the loading to the Baltic Sea caused by treated sewage.

Description

The capacity development done in the IWAMA project coordinated by Lahti university of applied sciences is aiming to increase the opportunities for the lifelong learning in the field of the wastewater management, especially the WWTP operators. The goals have been

• sharing and development of knowhow,
• methods to deliver and receive knowhow,
• to find national synergies and
• increase the international interactivity.

Capacity development can be divided in to activities during the project and the specific lifelong learning tools that are based, not only to the needs, but also to the acquirements of WWTPs. The IWAMA workshops (WSs) and webinars have shared “tailor made” knowhow, such as created an international platform, where different actors can share their experience, knowhow and practices among the different level actors (e.g. operators, authorities, scientist, suppliers, etc). The capacity development in the WSs has included discussions and surveys, co-planning of the lifelong learning tools and contents. The main co-developers have been Baltic partners that are organizing trainings for the WWTP operators. The same group is also building a national knowledge based communities to maintenance and continue the work after IWAMA.

The specifically selected lifelong learning tools are

• WWTP game,
• electronic training material package with virtual testing and
• publications of the lifelong learning opportunities and challenges.

The lifelong learning publication is based to the IWAMA surveys, national state of the art reports and the discussion of development paths available. The international training material package and the WWTP game are embracing the lifelong learning idea of the voluntary and self-motivated learning with the possibility for the feedback. Both of the e-tools includes the option for the data collection, which in turn can be utilized to the further development of the lifelong learning facilities.

Benefits

Capacity development and building of Lifelong learning tools have enhanced the regional co-operation of the wastewater sector actors. Knowledge have been share in the meetings with the local actors and the new ideas has risen how to improve the nutrient take off and reuse regarding the sludge from the WWTPs. For example, knowhow risen from the IWAMA actions have been utilized with the local WWTPs that are developing their energy efficiency. IWAMA knowhow and lifelong learning tools are also utilized in the education of Lamk for the future WWTP experts and operators.

Background information

The lifelong learning tools were dev eloped within the EU Interreg funded IWAMA (Interactive Water Management) project. Baltic Sea Challenge had close co-operation with IWAMA. The project activities concentrated on developing the capacity of water sector operators and pilot investments to increase energy efficiency and advance sludge handling. All project activities were targeted at better environmental state of the Baltic Sea through reducing nutrient input, optimizing energy consumption of the wastewater treatment plants, training water sector’s employees and ensuring the transfer of knowledge. The partners of the IWAMA project joined the Baltic Sea Challenge network. 

Further information

Name: Sami Luste   ●  Email: sami.luste(a)lamk.fi   ●  Web page: http://www.lamk.fi