Sewage Works Ölbachtal, Bochum
The sewage works in southern Bochum was built for a population equivalent of approximately 293 thousand people. Besides the buildings for sludge treatment, the construction project included a return activated sludge pumping station, a sludge digestion facility, an expansion of the incineration facility, an energy station and a thickener. This sewage works operates according to an activated sludge process and also maintains maturation ponds for subsequent purification. The sewage sludge produced during purification as well as food leftovers and fats are treated in digestion tanks. The produced sewage gas is used in a combined heat and power plant to generate electricity and heat. The cladding for the important digestion containers is made of aluminum panels, which have an increasingly lighter color towards the top of the building. The building is a landmark sight, which can be seen from afar.
