Verkís receives a grant from OR’s science fund

The cooperation project of Verkís, University of Reykjavík, Veitur and Norwegian Marine Research Institute, Assessment of the cleaning efficiency of blue-green surface water solutions in Iceland and the protection of water quality in the Reykjavík City Pond, has received a grant of 8.5 million ISK from Orkuveita Reykjavíkur’s Science Fund.

The implementation of blue-green surface water solutions in the drainage area of the Reykjavík City Pond can support the goals of the newly adopted Icelandic Water Plan to achieve the environmental goals of the Pond, which are at risk. In addition, the pressure due to climate change on the rainwater system of the future will lead to surface water returning to a natural channel to a greater extent, and it is therefore important to come up with sustainable solutions for protection against pollution sources from surface water in Iceland.

An example of blue-green surface water solutions in the center of Reykjavík.

The goal of the project is twofold:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of blue-green surface water solutions in Iceland in terms of cleaning pollutants from surface water.
• Examining the main sources of pollution in the drainage area of Vatnmýri-Pond , assessing their strength and origin based on research and experience from abroad and setting up a model where changes in pollution load can be examined during the future implementation of blue-green surface water solutions.

Research on the cleaning efficiency of blue-green surface water solutions has not been carried out in Iceland as far as is known. Analysis of sources of pollution in surface water has also been scarce. The project will bring a new understanding of the need to treat surface water in Iceland due to changes in weather patterns as a result of climate change. The results of the project will also support innovation in design and construction within the sewerage sector and strengthen the utility companies in establishing sustainable methods for surface water treatment.

Sigurður Grétar SigmarssonSigurður Grétar Sigmarsson, water resources engineer at Verkís, will lead the project on behalf of the company and take care of project management. Verkís offers equipment options such as sampling equipment and flow and rain gauges as well as expertise in measurements and sampling and expertise in surface water issues.

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