Yunnan Daily | BEWG's Yuxi Wastewater Treatment Plant: Pioneering Green and Low-Carbon Practices to Set Industry Benchmark 2025-08-14

Under the national "Dual Carbon" strategy, the wastewater treatment industry is transitioning from "standardized discharge" to "green and low-carbon" practices. A prime example of this shift is the Yuxi Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by BEWG, designated as a national green and low-carbon benchmark facility. Serving approximately 280,000 residents in Yuxi’s urban center with a daily treatment capacity of 100,000 tons, this modern plant exemplifies green development in Southwest China through its outstanding practices in energy conservation, resource recycling, and low-carbon operations.

Core Strength: Building a Green Foundation with Technological Innovation

Upon entering the Yuxi Wastewater Treatment Plant, the semi-underground layout blends seamlessly with the surrounding ecological environment. The absence of loud noise and pungent odors is the first impression it offers.

As a Grade I wastewater plant certified by Yunnan Province, its core competitiveness lies in a robust technical system. Utilizing an improved A²/O biochemical treatment process, the plant consistently maintains effluent quality that meets the Grade A standards under the Pollutant Discharge Standards for Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants. From 2022 to 2024, the plant achieved a 100% compliance rate for three consecutive years.

Its pollutant removal efficiency is even more remarkable: COD, BOD5, ammonia nitrogen, and TP removal rates consistently exceed 90%, while the total nitrogen removal rate surpasses 75%. In 2023 alone, the plant reduced approximately 8,000 tons of COD, 4,800 tons of BOD5, 950 tons of TN, and 150 tons of TP. This is equivalent to reducing nearly 10,000 tons of pollutant load in Yuxi’s rivers, significantly safeguarding the downstream aquatic ecosystem.

The "low-carbon" philosophy is deeply integrated into every step of the treatment process. Through equipment upgrades and continuous process optimization, energy consumption and carbon emissions have been significantly reduced. The plant achieves an annual carbon reduction of 2,319 tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of 130,000 trees. This demonstrates the substantial progress and outstanding results achieved in its low-carbon operational journey.

Circular Code: Ecological Wisdom in Turning Waste into Treasure

"Wastewater treatment is not the end but the starting point of resource recycling." This is the operational philosophy of the Yuxi Wastewater Treatment Plant. Here, every drop of water and every gram of sludge is given a second life.

In the reclaimed water reuse workshop, treated effluent is disinfected with chlorine dioxide and transported through a 17-kilometer pipeline to industrial users such as Yuxi Xinxing Steel and Taibiao Group. It also serves as a vital resource for municipal landscaping and road cleaning. By 2026, Yuxi’s reclaimed water utilization rate is expected to increase from 35.54% to 46%, further strengthening the city’s "second water source."

The plant’s meticulous management of its surrounding environment is equally noteworthy. Noise monitoring shows daytime levels of up to 57.4 dB(A) and nighttime levels of 48 dB(A), both of which are better than the industrial noise limits. Odor concentration remains below 10 (dimensionless), while pollutants such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are far below national standards.

Demonstration Effect: From Industry Benchmark to Social Classroom

As a "Publicly Open Environmental Protection Facility" jointly certified by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and an "Ecological Education Base" of Yunnan Province, the Yuxi Wastewater Treatment Plant’s impact extends far beyond wastewater treatment.

The plant frequently hosts visitors wearing safety helmets: students from Nie’er Primary School marvel at the process of wastewater passing through screens, exclaiming, "So this is how dirty wastewater is!"; interns from Yuxi Normal University record data in the central control room, bridging textbook knowledge with practical operation; community residents follow guides to learn about the destination of reclaimed water,感慨ing, "Water conservation is so important!"

Over the past three years, the plant has welcomed nearly 2,000 visitors, planting "seeds of environmental awareness" in their minds. Industry-academia collaboration has also injected innovation into technological advancements. Partnerships with Yuxi Normal University and Kunming University of Science and Technology to establish internship bases have provided practical platforms for students while bringing research capabilities to the plant. "Fresh perspectives from students have helped us optimize aeration process parameters and further reduce energy consumption," shared a staff member.