LimCo International
Our goals
To manage water in a natural manner means to get inspired by nature and to use or imitate natural processes effectively and efficiently, in order to sustainably protect water quality in a good status for future generations. Since the foundation of LimCo International we work for innovative and sustainable water management worldwide, concentrating on the interfaces between science/research, economy/industry and consulting/training.
- As scientific company LimCo International offers junior scientists an ambitious platform to act in projects related to aquatic ecology, ecotoxicology, biology and environmental sciences.
- As partner for industry and authorities LimCo International performs toxicological tests, ecotoxicity assessments, bioassessments and online biomonitoring according to OECD guidelines and EU water legislation, hence supports the practical application of nature-based solutions in water management worldwide.
- As consulting and training institution LimCo International acts as multiplicator for scientific knowledge, by transferring scientific results and new technical developments in the water sector to the public and future generations.
Our goals follow the international UN-Decade “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018-2028), the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UN World Water Report on “Nature-based solutions for water” (2018) and especially also the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and related regulations. As well as the new National Water Strategy Germany (2023), the new European Urban Wastewater Directive 2023, and the UN-Decade for restoration of Ecosystems (2021-2030).
Please feel free to contact us. We are pleased to advise you personally and individually to design and install your water quality online biomonitoring system according to your specific aims and local conditions.
News from the water sector
European Municipal Wastewater Directive (KARL)
Goal: Combine and update environmental protection with health protection as well as climate and energy policy
Innovations:
- New sources of pollution, e.g. from smaller communities, rainwater and mixed water discharges are taken into account
- Increased level of protection for small sewage treatment plants
- Wastewater disposal management plans (every 6 years)
- The 4th purification step is introduced after a risk assessment (risk areas, e.g. bathing, drinking water) with the aim of reducing a total of 80% of selected trace substances in the effluent
- Stricter limit values for the discharge of nutrients, staggered according to the size of the sewage treatment plant
- Manufacturers of products from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries must contribute significantly to the costs of the 4th purification step (construction and operation)
- Sewage treatment plants should become energy neutral by 2045
- Water reuse requires a 4th purification step
- The KARL is independent of the WFD, there is a risk of conflicts: for example, the expansion of a 4th staep sewage treatment plant could be jeopardized if it is discharged into a water body with a poor ecological status due to the prohibition of deterioration. The revision of the WFD regulation has not yet been completed
- Virus monitoring and monitoring of antibiotic resistance are to be introduced in hotspots and larger sewage treatment plants
Are you interested?
Looking forward to your approach