Apa-Canal Chisinau has started to remove the accumulated sludge at the wastewater treatment plant. The work will be completed in March 2018, IPN reports.

The water utility says that over 75,000 m3 of sludge will be removed from 140 geotubes. The sludge will be placed in special deposits built on the premises of the plant.

After the sludge is removed, the plant will be cleaned and disinfected. ACC decided to do this during the cold season in order to prevent the spreading of foul smell from the mechanisms carrying the sludge. However, some odors might reach the city, as the machinery is obsolete.

The wastewater treatment plant is 50 years old. The management has invested in the renewal and maintenance of the current equipment, but says a new plant must be built, which requires a hefty amount of money.

ACC has received a 62.8 million euro loan from EBRD and will invest the money in 7 km of sewage main, including 3 km of large collectors. The plant will be equipped with new sludge processing units and the resulting biogas will be used to produce electricity and heat. The processed sludge will be usable in agriculture.