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WATER COOPERATION, SUSTAINABILITY AND POVERTY ERADICATIONImage: Aarhus WaterRapid urban development has made effective wastewater management a priority in the city of Aarhusclimate change that the urban water sector needs to address. The finalyear of the project is dedicated to the demonstration of real-life situationsat the Prepared water utilities. Successful cooperation betweenresearchers, technology suppliers and water utilities has resulted inapproximately 30 on-site demonstrations. The final conference willbe held in January 2014 in Aarhus, Denmark.Contributing knowledge and expertiseAarhus Vand leads the way globally when it comes to effective wastewatermanagement. Alongside DHI, it contributes to the Prepared projectwith its knowledge and expertise from the Aarhus Å-projektet (AarhusRiver project). This project is about flood prevention and preventingwastewater from overflowing into lakes, streams and bays by creatinglarge basins and ensuring optimal control of basins, sewerage plantsand water treatment plants. It is a full-scale project, fully financed andtherefore ideal in this context. Along parts of the Aarhus River and onthe Port of Aarhus, urban development is rapid and will continue at afast pace in the coming years. The Aarhus River was previously covered,but it is now uncovered and has become a recreational element in thecity. The part of the harbour close to Aarhus has been converted fromindustrial harbour to new city areas. Here, too, water and canals will beimportant recreational elements. In 2005, the Municipality of Aarhusdecided to improve the quality of water hygiene in receiving watersthrough the Aarhus River project, in order to support opportunitiesfor the recreational use of Lake Brabrand (Brabrand Sø), the AarhusRiver and the Port of Aarhus. In more measurable terms, this decisionis driven by the Water Framework Directive and the Bathing WaterDirective and the planned solution must be adapted to the expectedclimate change scenario.As an integrated part of the Aarhus River project, ArhusVand has implemented one of the world’s most advancedsystems in which the control of all installations is coordinatedfrom one point. A challenge for the city of Aarhusis the recreational area, Lake Brabrand, which is closeto the city centre and is connected to Aarhus Harbourthrough the small Aarhus River. The water in the lake,river and harbour was adversely affected by combinedsewer overflow, stormwater drains and effluent fromwastewater treatment plants. Efficient and flexible operation,especially during rainfall events, will be secured bynew integrated control and an early warning system. Thiswill improve water hygiene, including during expectedclimate change scenarios like intense rainfall and risingsea levels. The demonstration will involve improvedrainfall monitoring, integrated control of sewer andwastewater treatment plants, and early warnings on thewater quality of receiving waters. By taking the challengesposed by climate change into account, excellentwater quality will be produced by implementing thedesigned solution of sufficient basin volume, sufficientlyhigh water quality through increased hydraulic capacity,and disinfection at the wastewater treatment plant.As part of the Prepared project, the Aarhus River projecthas resulted in improved cooperation with colleagues fromLyon, Berlin and Barcelona. It enables international environmentalresearch to be applied concretely and locally,with the intention of cooperating across borders using thelatest technology in the fight against climate changes.[ 239 ]