Quaternary Treatment – Advanced removal of micropollutants from wastewater

Future-oriented wastewater treatment – powered by HUBER technology and Aquagain expertise

Across Europe, wastewater treatment requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. The new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive means that Danish wastewater treatment plants will, in the coming years, be required to significantly reduce the discharge of micropollutants. As a result, quaternary treatment – also referred to as advanced wastewater treatment – is becoming a central element of future treatment solutions.

In practice, quaternary treatment is often implemented as an integrated process in which ozonation, filtration and adsorption are combined to achieve effective and reliable removal of micropollutants.

At Aquagain, we work with documented quaternary treatment solutions based on technologies from HUBER, one of the leading suppliers of advanced wastewater treatment systems. Together, we deliver reliable and flexible solutions that can be adapted to both small and large wastewater treatment plants.

What is quaternary treatment?

Quaternary treatment is an additional treatment stage installed downstream of biological and chemical treatment. Its purpose is to remove micropollutants that cannot be sufficiently eliminated by conventional treatment processes. These include, among others, pharmaceutical residues, endocrine-disrupting substances, residues from cosmetics and personal care products, pesticides and biocides, as well as industrial chemicals.

Although these substances occur at very low concentrations, they can have a significant impact on aquatic environments and ecosystems. An effective quaternary treatment stage can substantially reduce emissions while ensuring compliance with both current and future environmental requirements.

In practice, quaternary treatment is designed as a combination of several process steps. Ozonation, filtration and adsorption are often applied in synergy to achieve stable and verifiable removal of micropollutants. The exact configuration depends on plant-specific conditions, hydraulic and pollutant loads, and the applicable treatment requirements.

HUBER Technologies for Quaternary Treatment

HUBER has developed a range of thoroughly tested, modular technologies for advanced wastewater treatment. These technologies form part of integrated solutions in which ozonation, filtration and adsorption are combined into a coherent treatment process.

The solutions can be scaled to suit both small and large wastewater treatment plants and are characterised by:

• High operational reliability
• Easy integration into existing facilities
• Documented and effective removal of micropollutants
• Low operating and maintenance costs

The technologies can be combined and tailored to site-specific conditions, as there is no single standard solution suitable for all wastewater treatment plants.

Aquagain and HUBER – A strong partnership for quaternary treatment

When micropollutants must be removed in a stable and well-engineered manner, HUBER’s modular solutions provide a solid technical foundation. At Aquagain, we ensure that the technology is adapted to the actual operating conditions at your plant. We approach quaternary treatment as an integrated process in which ozonation, filtration and adsorption are combined and tailored to the needs of each individual facility.

We support the selection of the appropriate HUBER modules and ensure a safe and efficient installation. During commissioning, we manage start-up and provide training for operating personnel, ensuring optimal performance from day one.

In addition to HUBER technologies, we collaborate with specialised partners to deliver complete quaternary treatment solutions that perform reliably in real-world operation.

We support the plant throughout its entire lifecycle, offering service, ongoing maintenance and rapid technical support delivered by Danish technicians with in-depth knowledge of the equipment. This provides confidence in daily operation and a long-term solution that performs around the clock, year after year.