WBAB, short for WBAB WessmanBarken Water & Recycling AB, is responsible for water and waste management operations in the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken. Following a comprehensive feasibility study, WBAB installed modern step screens and an electrical control cabinet supplied by Hydria Water. Now that the facility is fully operational, WBAB reports highly satisfactory performance, including redundancy in the inlet screening process and a significant overall increase in hydraulic and mechanical capacity.
“We are very satisfied with Hydria Water’s installation, as we now have full redundancy in our inlet screening equipment. In addition, we have achieved a substantially higher throughput capacity, which greatly simplifies my operational work,” says Robert Barkman, Operations Technician at WBAB.
Challenge
WBAB’s mechanical screening equipment had reached the end of its service life after nearly two decades of continuous operation. When replacement became necessary, it was clear that the new solution had to be designed to meet future operational demands — including reduced sensitivity to mechanical failures, blockages, or other process disturbances.
Solution
The obsolete coarse screens were replaced with modern step screens, and a new electrical control cabinet was installed to ensure reliable, streamlined, and user-friendly process control. By installing two step screens in parallel, the facility now maintains full operational continuity even during maintenance events or equipment malfunctions, as one screening line can be shut down while the other independently remains in service.
During installation, Hydria Water provided a temporary screening container — a plug-and-play, fully integrated bypass system — enabling installation and commissioning to be carried out without compromising plant operation or process stability.
Result
The integration of high-efficiency step screens has been a key factor in increasing the treatment plant’s inlet handling capacity and overall process resilience. On the recommendation of Jörgen Edelmalm, Service Advisor at Hydria Water, the client now benefits not only from robust and reliable mechanical pre-treatment equipment but also from a fully equipped electrical control system that provides complete parameterization and fine-tuned control of all mechanical components.
This project exemplifies Hydria Water’s approach: seamless cross-departmental collaboration, engineering-driven problem solving, and a clear focus on delivering the technically optimal solution for both the project and the end user.