NURSECOAST-II Final Conference - Project Results and Key Outcomes

The NURSECOAST-II project summarised its activities, results and experience in developing sustainable wastewater management solutions for small communities and tourist areas across the Baltic Sea Region. The Final Conference provided an opportunity to present the outcomes of the pilot activities, exchange experience and discuss how the solutions developed within the project can be further applied and replicated.

On 10 September, the NURSECOAST-II Final Conference, entitled “Innovative and Sustainable Wastewater Management Solutions for Small Treatment Plants and Areas Under Seasonal Tourism Pressure in the Baltic Sea Region”, was held at the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

The event brought together project partners, representatives of the scientific community, local authorities and the water and wastewater sector. The programme focused on the results of NURSECOAST-II, experience gained through the implementation of the pilot activities and opportunities to use the solutions developed within the project beyond its completion.

From pilot activities to solutions for wider application

The conference presented the project’s key results, tools and experience. Discussions focused on solutions for small-scale wastewater treatment systems, technologies tested at different locations across the Baltic Sea Region, their assessment and their potential for wider application.

Particular attention was given to wastewater management in tourist areas, where seasonal fluctuations in the number of users lead to significant variations in wastewater volumes and place additional demands on local infrastructure. The discussions covered both technological solutions and good practices and models supporting more flexible and sustainable wastewater management.

The presentations and discussions were complemented by materials developed within NURSECOAST-II, including posters presenting the project’s pilot activities and brochures summarising its main activities, solutions and results.

Different perspectives, shared challenges

An important part of the conference was the exchange of experience between local authorities, the water and wastewater sector, the scientific community and project partners. This made it possible to examine wastewater management challenges from both a technological perspective and the practical perspective of communities facing significant seasonal tourism pressure.

The programme included experiences from Krynica Morska and Nowa Karczma, as well as examples from Norwegian coastal communities. The cases demonstrated the diversity of local conditions and challenges faced by small municipalities and wastewater system operators.

What determines whether a solution can be implemented?

An important part of the conference was a co-creation workshop dedicated to future activities and development directions in water and wastewater management, facilitated by Prof. Magdalena Gajewska and Marcin Żuchowski, Director of the Association of Polish Communes Euroregion Baltic (STG ERB).

Participants analysed the practical conditions for implementing sustainable solutions and the barriers that may affect their application. Key issues included investment time and costs, permitting procedures, changing regulatory requirements and access to financing.

The discussion also addressed the use of local and regional resources, the development of local cooperation and value chains, and solutions aimed at reducing water demand. The workshop provided a space to compare different perspectives and identify both barriers and opportunities for the further implementation of the solutions developed.

NURSECOAST-II results remain available for further use

The Final Conference marked the completion of an important stage of cooperation within NURSECOAST-II, while the knowledge, tools, pilot solutions and recommendations developed by the project remain available for further use.

The experience gained during the project can support the development of more flexible and sustainable wastewater management systems that are better adapted to the needs of small communities and tourist areas across the Baltic Sea Region.

NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe – From Knowledge to Practice at COEE 2026

Study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk concluded the participation of NURSECOAST-II, CONE and Circular MuSe in COEE 2026. The final day of the conference gave participants an opportunity to see practical solutions for sustainable water management, green retention and the circular economy – areas directly linked to the activities developed within these projects.

The final part of the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 programme consisted of study visits to Wejherowo and Gdańsk. Following several days of presentations, panel discussions and exchange of experience, participants had the opportunity to see how the topics discussed during the conference translate into concrete solutions implemented at the local level.

Wejherowo – sustainable water and waste management

In Wejherowo, participants visited Ekofabryka Wejherowo, where practical solutions and experience related to waste management and the transition towards more circular use of resources were presented. The programme also addressed sustainable water management at the city level.

Wejherowo provided a particularly clear example of how the topics discussed at the conference connect with activities carried out within the CONE and Circular MuSe projects. The two projects address complementary areas: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in stormwater management and the implementation of circular economy principles in municipal services.

Gdańsk – green retention and resource recovery

In Gdańsk, the first part of the visit focused on green retention. Participants learned about Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) used in stormwater management and their role in increasing urban resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Another part of the programme focused on waste management and the transition from conventional waste management towards resource recovery and reuse. The solutions presented demonstrated how circular economy principles can be translated into the practical operation of cities and municipal infrastructure.

From conference knowledge to practical solutions

The study visits provided a practical continuation of the topics presented and discussed during COEE 2026. They enabled participants to relate research, project results and exchanged experience to solutions operating under real-life conditions.

Activities developed within CONE and Circular MuSe in Wejherowo demonstrated two important directions in urban transformation: the use of Nature-Based Solutions in water management and the implementation of circular economy principles. Together with the experience of NURSECOAST-II in sustainable water and wastewater management, they provided a coherent perspective on how research, knowledge exchange and project cooperation can lead to practical solutions across the Baltic Sea Region.

COEE 2026 – the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – was organised by Gdańsk University of Technology and its Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

NURSECOAST-II at COEE 2026 - Solutions, Pilots and Exchange of Experience

The NURSECOAST-II project had a strong presence at the 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering (COEE 2026) in Sopot. Experiences and solutions developed within the project were presented during three Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion sessions focusing on nature-based solutions, circularity, and the mitigation of emerging pollutants. The conference also provided a space for direct knowledge exchange between the scientific and expert community and representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector.

NURSECOAST-II at COEE 2026

The 5th International Conference of Ecological and Environmental Engineering – COEE 2026 is taking place in Sopot from 6 to 9 September 2026, bringing together researchers, experts and practitioners from different countries to discuss current challenges and solutions in ecological and environmental engineering.

The conference is also attended by representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector, providing them with an opportunity to learn about research findings, practical experience and solutions addressing current challenges in areas such as wastewater management and environmental protection.

NURSECOAST-II in three Ideation Project Multi-Forum sessions

On 8 September, NURSECOAST-II experiences and solutions were presented during three Ideation Project Multi-Forum & Panel Discussion sessions:

Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Area
Circularity in Waste & Water Management
Emerging Pollutants Mitigation

The project contributed experience related to the challenges caused by seasonal increases in wastewater volumes in tourist destinations across the Baltic Sea Region. NURSECOAST-II combines research and expert knowledge with the practical testing of solutions at pilot sites, allowing their performance to be assessed under real-life conditions.

From pilot activities to practical solutions

The presentations at COEE 2026 focused on solutions being developed and tested through NURSECOAST-II pilot activities. These included approaches to reducing nutrient loads in wastewater treatment plants serving tourist areas, experience from a pilot investment in a wastewater treatment plant in Finland, and the application of nanobubble technology in wastewater treatment.

The project's presence at the conference was complemented by posters presenting the NURSECOAST-II pilot activities and brochures introducing the project's activities, solutions and results. This allowed participants to explore both the technical aspects of the tested solutions and the broader range of knowledge and experience developed within the project.

Putting knowledge into practice

The conference presentations and discussions will be followed by a practical component. On 9 September, participants will take part in study visits, providing an opportunity to see solutions related to wastewater management and the challenges addressed by NURSECOAST-II in practice.

By combining scientific knowledge, experience from pilot activities, exchange between projects, and the involvement of representatives of local authorities and the municipal sector, the event provides a platform to discuss not only the technologies themselves, but also their potential application and transfer to other locations across the Baltic Sea Region.

NURSECOAST-II Business Models Hub

Seasonal tourism can put significant pressure on coastal wastewater treatment systems – but it can also be a driver of innovation.

The NURSECOAST-II project has just published its Business Models Hub, a practical guide for municipalities, water utilities, investors, and technology providers working on small-scale and decentralised wastewater treatment solutions in tourism-intensive regions across the Baltic Sea area.

The Hub brings together investor guidance, technology provider maps, overviews of funding programmes, and documented stakeholder matchmaking – all focused on small-scale treatment plants serving up to 2,000 population equivalents (PE).

Three key takeaways for decision-makers:

Small wastewater treatment plants need solutions that can tolerate significant fluctuations in load, rather than solutions designed only to perform well under stable design conditions.
Financing needs to be considered alongside technology selection, as the target users are often small municipalities, utilities, or tourism facilities with limited investment capacity.
Replication requires trust-building: project experience has shown that decentralised national and bilateral engagement can be more effective than a single centralised matchmaking event.

Find out more on the NURSECOAST-II project website: https://lnkd.in/d_dHwcjX

NURSECOAST-II Consortium Meeting

On October 28, a meeting of the NURSECOAST-II project partners was held in Gdańsk, devoted to summarizing the activities to date and planning the next stages of work.
It was an intense day full of presentations, substantive discussions, and exchanges of experiences between partners from the Baltic Sea region.

The program included, among others:
research on nanobubbles technology and treatment efficiency,
the use of treated wastewater for plant irrigation,
environmental impact assessment and risk analysis,
discussions on good practices, business models, and ways to increase environmental awareness.

At the end of the meeting, the participants visited Gdańsk together and exchanged reflections on further cooperation.

Project meeting in Söderhamn 26-27.05.2025

The last year of the project on full swing

03 June 2025

During the last week of May, NURSECOAST-II project partners gathered in the scenic city of Söderhamn, Sweden, for a multi-day meeting focused on sustainable water management and wastewater seasonality issues in the Baltic Sea region.

Archipelago cruise and life-cycle assessment discussions

The meeting began with a guided cruise around the Söderhamn archipelago, including a visit to the island of Rönnskär, a city-owned destination which attracts many summer visitors. High seasonality makes the challenges the island is facing very relevant for our project. We met a daughter of the island’s former ship pilot, who led a fascinating tour of the historic pilot station. Participants learned about the island’s history, including how solid waste was traditionally transported in barrels and how electricity was connected only in 2007.
A local biologist shared insights into ongoing ecological changes in the archipelago, including eutrophication. This was followed by an in-depth Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) presentation by project partners Jolanta Dvarionienė and Jari Heiskanen.

The second day introduces local perspectives and innovations

Tuesday began with an introduction to the city of Söderhamn and its environmental challenges by the representative of the municipality. Later, we heard more on Sweden’s ecosystem-based management efforts, engaging a wide range of actors in restoration work.

We also heard about the NURSECOAST-II pilot updates. Pilot 3 shared updates on overcoming nanobubble membrane clogging with a new rotating disc solution. Project manager Ksawery Kuligowski also provided a valuable update on lessons from the project and led a panel discussion. In addition, we heard from the Swedish project partners about another exciting project called MustBe that they are part of.

The day concluded with a tour of the Granskär wastewater treatment plant, originally built for 20000 PE and currently handling 14000 PE. The plant plays a vital role in local wastewater treatment, it has combined pipes from households and street. although the archipelago itself remains disconnected, relying on greywater separation and incineration.

Sharing cross-border experiences is valuable

The third day of the field trip featured examples and case studies from Polish municipalities, which are heavily influenced by tourists. These also highlighted the impact of tourism on wastewater infrastructure. With some municipalities experiencing a staggering 2000% seasonal increase in visitors, managing uneven wastewater distribution remains a significant challenge.

The meeting offered a rich exchange of experiences, challenges, and innovations, underscoring the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling environmental pressures in coastal and island regions.

Nursecoast II - study visit to the Bure Misie settlement - day2

The second day in Kościerzyna was full of constructive expert discussions on ongoing investments within the Nursecoast II project, taking place during peer-to-peer workshops, the essence of which is the sharing of diverse perspectives and the joint creation of solutions.

As a reminder, the Nursecoast II project focuses on the issue of small wastewater treatment plants related to tourism and aims to better adapt wastewater treatment systems to the high seasonality of tourist destinations and improve the condition of the coastal Baltic Sea. As part of the project activities, 6 pilots are being carried out on the above topic, including the very one in the Kościerzyna municipality, in the Bure Misie Settlement.

At today's meeting, discussions focused on the modernization of the wastewater treatment plant and optimization of processes. The pilot study is about upgrading the existing wastewater treatment plant and optimizing treatment processes, especially in the context of using digestion systems and water treatment technologies. The pilot site supplies wastewater from both household and industrial activities. The wastewater is being separated in the treatment process, which will allow more efficient management of the treatment process and better adaptation of the processes to the specifics of the different types of wastewater. The project includes the introduction of nano-bubble technology to improve the quality of wastewater oxygenation, as well as monitoring systems to better manage seasonal loads, especially during busy tourist periods. The upgrade also includes the implementation of digestion systems that will enable more efficient treatment of industrial wastewater, as well as reduce energy consumption in the treatment process. The pilot assumes that in the future the system will be able to operate in accordance with EU requirements for wastewater discharge.

The entire process is being monitored and reported, and the results will be made available in final reports, which will serve as a tool for sharing knowledge with other stakeholders, including local authorities and other wastewater treatment plants.

Nursecoast II - study visit to the Bure Misie settlement - day1

Today, together with the Nursecoast II project partners, we are working in the Koscierzyna municipality, where a study visit is currently taking place. The first item on the agenda of the event was to reach the pilot site - that is, the settlement of Bure Misie where work on an ecological wastewater treatment plant is well advanced. During the tour of the settlement we learned about the history of its establishment and today's mission. According to the rest of the agenda, we listened to presentations on the investment in the Bure Misie, the innovative nanobubbles technology and constructed wetlands (i.e. artificial wetlands designed to treat wastewater, rainwater or surface water in a way that resembles natural wetlands). Information was presented on other pilots being carried out under the project, as well as presentations by associated partners.

Zooming in on the project objectives, the activities are related to the optimization of wastewater treatment systems. The project focuses on research into the use of nano-bubbles in water treatment processes. The main idea is to improve the transfer of oxygen to water by using smaller and smaller bubbles to increase the efficiency of oxygenation. Nano-bubbles can be an effective tool, especially in systems where an increase in purification capacity is required without the need for plant reconstruction. Pilots are being conducted in various locations to adapt the technologies to specific conditions in different regions. Experiments focus on intensifying biological processes in treatment plants and testing various parameters related to aeration and water recirculation. One of the challenges of the project is the variability of hydraulic loading at different times of the year, especially during tourist seasons, where the number of visitors increases significantly. The project aims to provide technological support to local governments and engineers responsible for designing new wastewater treatment plants. Test results collected from different locations are to be used to create a toolkit to support decision-making, both at the technical and policy levels. The possibility of reusing waste water for irrigation was also analyzed, requiring additional research on water quality after treatment processes.

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