The main results of the Ventspils environmental rehabilitation project were successfully achieved

In the remediation facility, historical pollution was cleaned (pumping out of the oil layer floating above the groundwater), and on December 7, 2023, a filtering-cleaning barrier with a length of 302.9 m parallel to the Baltic Sea coast was put into operation, which will ensure that pollution does not spread further towards the sea in the future.

On March 28, 2024, the last measurements of the floating layer of oil products (NPPS) planned within the project (until 30.04.2024) took place at the remediation facility. The Executor, AS “VentEko” carried out the measurements in the presence of the Customer, VBP and the representatives of the South-West Regional Environmental Administration, and the results obtained in all monitoring wells confirmed that one of the main goals of the project, which provides for the reduction of the NPPS layer to <0.01 m 2 , has been achieved .3 ha in the area.

NPPS dynamics during the project – 22.02.2023 (a); 28.07.2023 (b); 21.11.2023 (c) and 28.03.2024 (d).

NPPS measurement process 28.03.2024 in the presence of representatives of the State Environmental Service.

On the other hand, on April 11, 2024, an event was held at the remediation facility, during which all interested parties (including representatives from the State Environmental Service, Regional Environmental Administration, media, etc.) were introduced to the location and markings of the constructed filtering-purifying barrier in nature. Also, those present had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the practical implementation of NPPS measurements, and had the opportunity to make sure that pollution is no longer present in the remediation facility by choosing a specific measurement location, as well as by taking a water column sample from a certain monitoring well (Figure 3). In total, 8,521 m was pumped and treated from the contaminated area during the remediation process³ ground water contaminated with oil products, while 171 m were transported for utilization/processing³ liquid hazardous waste. While inspecting the remediation area, the participants of the event also had the opportunity to view the monitoring wells installed as part of the post-remediation monitoring system (Figure 4), taking into account that the results achieved during the remediation will be monitored for at least 5 years after the end of the project. Representatives of VBP and JSC “VentEko” were ready to answer questions about the implementation of the project and the achieved results during the event.

Examples from the April 11, 2024 event at the site of rehabilitation works.

Examples of installed post-remediation monitoring wells.

finally, On April 16, 2024, the project partner, the “Ventspils High-Tech Parks” foundation, presented its achieved results within the project (Figure 5) in the Ventspils Gāliņciema library. As part of the realized public awareness campaign “Green Mission”, various events related to climate change and environmental protection were organized, such as climate lessons, climate workshops, as well as a campaign during which citizens were invited to renew their old clothes at the RADE design workshop free of charge. More than 2,000 residents attended the implemented events, however, the total audience reached within the campaign is much larger. As part of the April 16, 2024 event, the exhibition “Renewed Value” was opened, which was created in cooperation with the design workshop RADE and the Ventspils School of Art. The works were created by the students by renovating their old clothes. The exhibition can be viewed in the library until April 30 of this year.

April 16, 2024 event at the Gāliņciem library.

The project “Historically contaminated with oil products in Ventspils – the territory of the former WWTP “Údeka” (Kad. No. 27000290133) and the main pipeline route of oil products (Kad. No. 27000290007) – remediation” is implemented by the Ventspils Freeport Authority in cooperation with the Norwegian partner – the foundation. International Development Norway AS” and Latvian project partners – the foundation “Ventspils High Technology Parks”. Project budget: EUR 5,117,000. The co-financing of the Norwegian financial instrument (Norwegian grant) is EUR 4,349,450. The project implementation period is from July 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024.

We work together for green For Europe!