Latvia, Ainaži

Inhabitants
According to data of last inhabitants recording (2015) there are 835 inhabitants in Ainaži Town. Average density: 13 inhabitants 1 km² including 2,1 inhabitants 1 km² in rural area of Ainaži (average in Latvia: 36,6 inhabitants 1 km² ).

Historical backround of Pilot site.
Ainaži existed for centuries as a Livonian fishing village. Town rights were granted in 1920. In 1864 the first naval college in the whole Russian Empire was opened there training young Estonian and Latvian farmers to become ship captains. With the opening of the school also ship building industry was developed and harbour was constructed (1900–1905). During the period from 1857 to 1913, over 50 seaworthy vessels were built in the town. Before World War I, Ainaži was the fourth largest port of Latvia. During the Soviet period Ainaži was over–shadowed by nearby Salacgriva. Nowadays Ainazi is the smallest town in Vidzeme.

Historical background of Pilot object
In 1912 narrow gauge railway Ainazi–Valmiera–Smiltene was opened to connect harbour with vast inland agricultural areas were products for import were produced. The pilot object originally were constructed as harbour infrastructure. Nowadays it is used as dwelling with 4 single apartments.

Existing wastewater treatment solution
Wastewater is discharged to the individual collecting tanks which are emptied on regular bases and transported to the Ainaži WWTP.
Problems to be solved
• Pilot is located within area with high level of shallow groundwaters;
• Receiving surface water body – open
ditch system – is directly connected
with the Gulf of Riga.

 Proposed solution

• Connect all flats into one wastewater discharge system;
• Design and construct biological WWTP with activated sludge;
• Supply additional phosphorous treatment, the technology is under design right now. The following alternatives are evaluated:
  • Coagulant dosing to WWTP
  • Construction of additional treatment step – constructed wetland, as our Polish colleagues did.

Current state of the pilot

The renovation of the outdated WWT facilities was initiated by Salacgrīva Municipality and preliminary evaluation of technical condition was done by University of Latvia, including sampling and analyses of influent and effluent wastewater and preparation of Feasibility Study. Project partners have been contacted to discuss best available technical solutions and Pilot sites in Lithuania and Poland was visited to select best technology for additional nutrients removal.  

What happens in the pilot

All kinds of inhabitants were interviewed to identify existing problems

The pilot site were visited to evaluate size and condition of territory available for construction of new WWT plant.

Water utility “Salacgrīvas ūdens” were interviewed to identify existing problems.

Project Partners have been contacted to discuss best available technical solutions and Pilot sites in Lithuania and Poland was visited to select best technology for additional nutrients removal.

Due to the long technical design and wastewater treatment technology approval process with Reginal Environmental Board the construction of new wastewater treatment facility was started in late 2018.

The construction of pilot object was funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2014-2020 and Salacgrīva District Municipality.