Demolition of the Cloppenburg digestion tower: 70 tons of excavators in use!

Demolition of the Cloppenburg digestion tower: 70 tons of excavators in use!

Something is happening in Cloppenburg! Construction work on the old digestion tower of the sewage treatment plant is in full swing. History has been made here since July 8, 2025, because a huge 70-ton long-front excavator has the task of demolishing the digestion tower, which has been out of operation since 1994. What may seem like a routine project actually has far-reaching consequences for wastewater treatment in the region.

The digestion tower, which has an impressive volume of around 4,000 cubic meters, was for decades the place where sewage sludge was decomposed under anaerobic conditions. Microorganisms played a key role here by producing methane gas at around 36 degrees Celsius, which was then used to generate electricity in a combined heat and power plant. A truly sustainable solution!

The demolition with care

The demolition costs are not negligible and amount to almost half a million euros. Given that the old digester is contaminated with heavy metals, asbestos and other pollutants, demolition requires particularly careful handling. Experts are working hard to ensure proper disposal, and at the same time two old sedimentation basins and a trickling filter are being dismantled, which also date back to the 1970s and have ceased operation.

The fact that the area of ​​the rotting tower remains free after demolition offers the Soeste the opportunity to continue to meander naturally and not to restrict spatial open spaces through development. The look into the future is encouraging: starting in August next year, a new digestion tower will be built to replace the old technologies. The investment for this could be up to 10 million euros.

Biological wastewater treatment in focus

But what exactly happens in the background of the technical work? Biological wastewater treatment, in which organic contaminants are removed from wastewater, plays a central role here. A distinction is made between aerobic and anaerobic processes. While aerobic systems require oxygen and are suitable for slightly to moderately polluted water, anaerobic systems can work efficiently even at higher loads without requiring oxygen. The latter are preferred when it comes to methane production, as was successfully achieved in the digester.

A good hand will also be required when building the new digestion tower. It is important to integrate modern technologies in order to meet the requirements of wastewater treatment. Efficiency is of central importance here, as it not only relieves the burden on the environment, but also reduces energy costs.

This phase of change shows how important progress and environmental protection are in the wastewater management. Cloppenburg is setting a good example and investing in the future of wastewater treatment.

The current situation surrounding the digester not only highlights the challenges associated with the disposal and dismantling of older systems, but also the opportunities that arise with new buildings. It remains exciting to see how the new sewage treatment plant will develop and what impulses this will bring to the region.

In summary: Cloppenburg is well on the way to modernizing its wastewater technology, and with financing of up to 10 million euros for the new building, the city can look forward to a clean and sustainable future. We're excited to see how all of this unfolds!

For further information, readers can visit the following pages: NDR, OM Online and Huh.