# Environmental Engineering - Savonia AMK

> Advanced expertise in Water Safety research, innovation and development at Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

The Environmental Engineering department at Savonia University of Applied Sciences has over 20 years of experience in Water Safety, with specialisations in Smart Water Technology, Zero Emission Industry, and Aqua Resilience. We coordinate the Kuopio Water Cluster (KWC), a network of over 70 leading water-related organisations.

## Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Facilities

We support all levels of innovation—from idea to commercial readiness—using unique facilities that allow for scaling from lab-scale to full-scale demonstration.

*   **WaterLAB**: Chemical and analytical labs, fully equipped workshop, and expert consultation.
*   **WaterLOOP**: Access to a physical water network model for scenario-based experiments and testing.
*   **WaterPILOT**: Mobile labs to test and develop processes for water treatment and recovery on-site.
*   **SuperDMA**: Industrial and long-term testing in a real environment with water infrastructure.

### WaterLAB
WaterLAB offers a fully furnished space with specialised equipment and services up to TRL 4. With over 300 m² of laboratory space, it includes a chemical lab, workshop, and rentable open area and private booths.
*   **Chemical and Analytical Labs**: Basic chemical and biological analyses, bench-scale experiments, and low-level detection of elements, ions, and volatile compounds.
*   **Pilot-building Workshop**: Dedicated space for building test setups, customisations, and maintenance for plastic, wood, metal, and electronics.
*   **Experts**: Access to top researchers, laboratory technicians, field engineers, and students for project work.

### WaterLOOP
A Distribution System Simulator offering a complete physical water network in a sandboxed environment for scenario-based testing of contaminants.
*   **Specifications**: ~1 km of copper and PE pipework, 6.8 m³ water tank, flow rate up to 10 m³/h, velocity up to 4 m/s, and operating pressure up to 10 bar.
*   **Monitoring**: Real-time online monitoring of physico-chemical and hydraulic parameters (+50 parameters).
*   **Features**: Controlled water temperature, open/closed loop operation, and flexible flow routing.

### WaterPILOT
Modular and mobile systems transported in sea cargo containers for temporary or long-term use.
*   **MBBR pilot**: Microbiological water treatment and resource recovery.
*   **Water treatment pilot**: Physical-chemical water treatment.
*   **Industrial recovery pilot**: Physical-chemical treatment of industrial waters.
*   **Advanced separation pilot**: Filtration-based separation and recovery.
*   **Sulphate pilot**: Biological sulphate removal and selective metal recovery.

### SuperDMA
A full-scale District Metering Area demonstrator for smart water technologies, allowing for rapid scale-up.
*   **Location**: 1.5 x 1.5 km area in Savilahti Innovation Campus, Kuopio.
*   **Integration**: Connected to the local waterworks (Kuopion Vesi) distribution system.
*   **Connectivity**: Range of NB-IoT (LTE B31 450 MHz) and mmW 5G NR private test network.

## Ongoing Projects

*   **ATLANTIS**: Advancing Trans-regional Aqua Networks for Technology and Innovative Synergies. Focuses on TRL 7 underwater robotic solutions for marine ecosystems.
*   **Micropollutant Removal**: Verifying the efficiency of wastewater treatment methods for removing PFAS compounds and reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at Lehtoniemi and Metsä-Sairila plants.
*   **BOREAS**: Developing intelligent, low-impact mining technologies for the Malmbjerg deposit in Greenland.
*   **Stormwater Management**: Sustainable urban stormwater management in the Baltic Sea Region.
*   **Vesihiili (Water+Carbon)**: Investigating biochar production and use in water filtration and substrates.
*   **Kuve**: Raising Savilahti’s water expertise innovation ecosystem to an international level.
*   **Veto**: Enhancing innovation collaboration between urban regions through digital tools and thematic water expertise.
*   **Industrial Water Cycles**: Developing solutions to prevent membrane clogging and manage reject waters in mining and other industries.
*   **Vamos**: Restoring bird lakes in Northern Savonia through nature-based water protection.
*   **HIRAS**: Developing low-carbon construction products using Finnish side streams (clay, tailings, biochar).
*   **Interreg Aurora Project**: Developing autonomous robotic environmental monitoring in the Tornio river catchment area.
*   **WInEco**: Boosting growth and competitiveness of SMEs in the water sector and critical infrastructure.
*   **AWE (Arctic Water Excellence)**: Addressing water-intensive industry and water supply sector challenges through testing and piloting.
*   **AMBITIOUS**: Finding innovative digital solutions (AI, 5G, IoT) for urban floods, stormwater, and pipeline leakages.

## Completed Projects

*   **AIQUSEC**: Advancing cybersecurity in critical infrastructure (OT) environments, including water utilities.
*   **SETELIT**: Investigating mine tailings as cement-free paste backfill material.
*   **ReNutriWater**: Improving water sustainability in the Baltic Sea region.
*   **KIERTO**: Increasing closed water circulation efficiency at a landfill in Kuopio using MBBR and Electrocoagulation.
*   **Smart Water 2.0**: Raising the technological level of water-intensive industries.
*   **SWIM**: Preparing facilities and infrastructure for climate change-related extreme weather events.
*   **YTY**: Using MBBR and nanofiltration to extract nitrogen from cold wastewaters.

## Contact

**Eero Antikainen**
RDI Manager
Tel: 044 785 6325
Email: eero.antikainen@savonia.fi