Outcomes

Tangible and measurable social, economic and environmental benefits

From the idea to the final product

During the lifetime of the Nirvana project, a broad range of significant outputs and quantified achievements will be delivered in search of the most effective and efficient way to reach the main goal: to minimise aquifer pollution and to contribute to restoring groundwater quality by developing an innovative, effective and sustainable technology for in situ remediation of nitrate polluted aquifers.

Main outputs and achievements

Development of a sustainable groundwater bioremediation system, which will enable:

100%

reduction in the waste generated compared to conventional ex situ biological denitrification

311,000 kWh

of energy savings

95%

reduction in CO2 emissions

A 70% reduction

in the organochlorine pesticide concentration in water

The removal of 17,500 kg

of nitrate from the aquifer by denitrification with nZVI

The denitrification treatment of 500,000 m3

of groundwater from the aquifer at the demo site

Reduction of the mean nitrate concentration in the pumping well

at the demo site to a value below 50 mg/l

Feasibility assessment

for the application of the proposed solution in 3 sites at the European level, with different hydrogeological, regulatory and market circumstances

The project will reach more than 50 stakeholders:

13-16

River Basin District managers

45-55

water operators (laboratory directors, water quality directors and O&M managers as the targeted audience)

A 71% reduction

in total OPEX (compared to conventional ex situ biological denitrification), mainly due to savings in terms of low maintenance operations and low power consumption

Compliance with the nitrate quality standard

established by European Union environmental policies and legislation at the pilot site

Reduction of total CAPEX by 75%

compared to ex situ biological denitrification