The Wastewater Treatment Plant project in Irakleion, Crete, represents a highly innovative step in the evolution of urban water infrastructure in Greece. Developed to expand treatment capacity for an additional 30,000 equivalent inhabitants, the project introduced membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology into the plant's treatment process, helping deliver significantly improved effluent quality through a compact, advanced and highly controlled system. For NAMA, the project was especially important, marking the company's first design of a sewage treatment plant using membrane technology.
For this project, NAMA delivered the design for a major extension of the wastewater treatment plant, supporting the transition to a more advanced and future-ready treatment model.
NAMA's scope included the design of:
- an intermediate pumping station,
- two fine screens,
- two biological reactors with separate anoxic and aerobic zones,
- four membrane tanks for submerged hollow-fibre membrane modules,
- a dedicated mechanical equipment building for permeate pumps, blowers, chemical cleaning systems and electrical panels,
- a sludge treatment unit with two centrifugal decanters,
- a fully automated operating system with local PLCs and central SCADA control.
From a technical perspective, the project combined biological treatment with membrane separation, allowing for higher effluent quality and a more compact footprint than conventional treatment configurations. The system incorporated a total membrane surface area of 28,880 m², while the sludge line was designed to dewater sludge up to 25% dry solids, supporting efficient and reliable plant operation.
The project's significance extends well beyond the plant itself. In a region where water resources are under growing pressure, advanced wastewater treatment and reuse infrastructure has clear environmental value. By supporting the production of higher-quality treated effluent, the project contributes to the safer reuse of water for irrigation, reducing pressure on freshwater resources and supporting a more circular approach to water management in Crete.
This matters particularly in the wider Heraklion region, where reclaimed water from the wastewater system is used to irrigate agricultural land, including vineyards and olive groves. In an island environment increasingly affected by drought and seasonal water stress, such infrastructure helps strengthen resilience for both local communities and productive sectors such as agriculture.
The project's wider environmental impact includes:
- improving the quality of treated wastewater through advanced membrane-based treatment,
- supporting water reuse and reducing dependence on conventional freshwater sources,
- helping protect surrounding soil and water bodies through more controlled and effective treatment,
- supporting agricultural resilience in a water-stressed region,
- contributing to a more modern, efficient and sustainable wastewater-management model for Crete.
Through this project, NAMA contributed to a wastewater treatment facility that combines technical innovation with strong regional value. More than an infrastructure upgrade, the Irakleion WWTP extension represents a step toward cleaner water, smarter resource use and greater environmental resilience for Crete.
