The screw pumps are ready for installation at FARA

ELIQUO PMI is well underway with its extensive work on FARA (Fredrikstad wastewater treatment plant).
The new treatment plant will serve Fredrikstad and Hvaler. The project is an important step toward ensuring sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment in the area, and ELIQUO PMI has been tasked with designing, building, and delivering machines and process solutions for the plant. It is projected to be the first treatment plant in Norway prepared to achieve 85% nitrogen removal.

Follow the construction camera live from FARA here.

Project on track – installation of screw pumps
Øyvind Benjaminsen, project manager for the FARA project at ELIQUO PMI, reports that the project is progressing as planned. "We are exactly where we need to be in the process," he says. "The screw pumps have arrived at the plant and will be installed in a few weeks."

Archimedes screws: An important energy-efficient method for moving large volumes of water.
Screw pumps, or Archimedes screws, work by lifting liquids through a rotating spiral-shaped tube, making them particularly suitable for handling large volumes of water and wastewater with low energy consumption. "The installation of these pumps marks an important milestone in the project, and it's gratifying to see that the preparations and transportation of these screws, which are over 20 meters long and about 2.5 meters in diameter, are going according to plan," says Benjaminsen.

A significant boost for the environment
The FARA project is a major environmental improvement for Fredrikstad and Hvaler, and once completed, the new treatment plant will contribute to more efficient wastewater management while reducing environmental impact. The plant takes into account both current and future requirements for treatment and discharges into the Oslofjord. The complete facility, which includes mechanical wastewater treatment, MBBR technology, and biogas production, will eventually be CO2-negative. This means that it will reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere after a few years of operation.

Expertise at every stage
Benjaminsen also emphasizes the importance of teamwork that has contributed to the project's success. "I can't praise the team enough. They have worked extremely hard to ensure that all aspects of the design and, most importantly, the preparations for installation proceed smoothly. It's a great pleasure to lead such a competent and dedicated team," he says.

Optimism for the project's future
With the recent progress, it is clear that the project is on track, and Benjaminsen expresses optimism for the future. "We still have a way to go, but with the progress we've seen so far, I'm confident that we will deliver a state-of-the-art treatment plant on time," he concludes.
The FARA project is now entering an exciting phase, and with ELIQUO PMI at the helm, the residents of Fredrikstad and Hvaler can expect a facility that sets a new standard for wastewater treatment in the region.
"We are proud to play a key role in delivering technology that will benefit both people and nature for many years to come," Benjaminsen concludes.