A New Nature-Based Stormwater Treatment Pilot Site to Be Developed in Šmerļupīte
A new stormwater treatment pilot site will be established in Riga along the Šmerļupīte stream, in the section between Sergeja Eizenšteina Street, Linezera Street and Šmerļa Street. The site will serve as a demonstration area where nature-based stormwater treatment solutions will be implemented together with a smart monitoring system.
Why is this needed?
The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world, with most of its area affected by excessive nutrient loads. A significant share of this pollution originates from urban areas and stormwater runoff. During rainfall or snowmelt, water from streets and rooftops cannot infiltrate into the ground and instead flows directly into rivers and lakes, carrying pollutants that harm ecosystems.
Over time, this process deteriorates water quality and negatively affects the surrounding environment. The Šmerļupīte area is a popular place for walking and recreation, but pollution has reduced its ecological and visual quality. The new project aims to restore and revitalise this urban green space.
What will be implemented?
The project will introduce nature-based solutions that enable water to naturally filter and purify itself:
- the stream will be reshaped with gentle meanders to slow down water flow;
- small sedimentation ponds will be created to allow sand and other particles to settle;
- aquatic plants, such as reeds, will be planted to support natural filtration processes;
- wet meadows will be established to absorb and filter stormwater.
To manage and assess the effectiveness of these solutions, a digital monitoring system will be installed. This will enable remote data collection and real-time monitoring of stormwater quality. Construction works are scheduled to begin in February and continue until May.
International cooperation
The activities are implemented within the framework of the MUSTBE project, supported by the INTERREG Centrālā Baltijas jūras reģiona programma. The project brings together partners from Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia.
In Riga, the initiative involves experts from municipal departments and companies, including Rīgas meži, as well as researchers from Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte.
The core objective of MUSTBE is to improve stormwater management in cities by reducing pollution loads from urban runoff and enhancing urban environmental quality. This includes increasing green infrastructure, mitigating the impact of heat waves, improving air quality and creating more liveable environments for residents.
More information
MUSTBE: Multidimensional Storm Water Treatment in Urban Areas for Cleaner Baltic Sea – Smart Riga
INTERREG Central Baltic Programme: https://centralbaltic.eu/project/mustbe