MUSTBE

Four Million Euro Project Aims at Significant Improvements to Storm Water Treatment

The opening meeting of the Multidimensional storm water treatment in urban areas for cleaner Baltic Sea (MUSTBE) project took place in Viimsi on June 19–20. With the aim of enhancing the condition of the Baltic Sea, the MUSTBE project seeks to tackle the issue of storm water pollution by developing innovative and multi-benefit storm water management systems.

MUSTBE kick-off meeting in Viimsi took place in June 2023. Also Central Baltic representative took part and wished all the best for the project implementation. Photo: Rait Parve.
MUSTBE kick-off meeting in Viimsi took place in June 2023. Also Central Baltic representative took part and wished all the best for the project implementation. Photo: Rait Parve.

The MUSTBE project is set to revolutionize stormwater treatment by combining nature-based stormwater (NBS) solutions with digital technologies, thus maximizing the effectiveness of the treatment process. By harnessing the power of NBS and leveraging advanced digital solutions, the project partners aspire to not only improve stormwater treatment efficacy but also enhance municipalities’ capacity to monitor the actual quality of the stormwater.

The MUSTBE project sets out to establish seven pilot sites in four countries, serving as testing grounds for the novel stormwater management systems. These sites will play a vital role in demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of the project’s innovative approach.

Project started in May 2023. The first task that all partners started with was water sampling. All pilot site owners took water samples to determine pre intervention water quality numbers. Baseline numbers were also used to calculate the post intervention target levels for water quality. The project has an ambitious but reachable goal: by end of April 2026, the amount of pollutants reaching the Baltic Sea is reduced in terms of suspended solids by 60%, nitrogens by 30%, pathogens by 60%, hydrocarbons by 50% and metals by 40%.

For those seeking further information about the MUSTBE project, including its objectives, progress updates, and valuable insights, stay tuned! This groundbreaking endeavor aims to pave the way for a cleaner and healthier Baltic Sea, safeguarding the region’s precious ecosystem for future generations.

Text: Siim Jürima and Rait Parve, Municipality of Viimsi