INNOQUA · Project

Biological Wastewater Treatment System That Eliminates Sewage Using Worms and Zooplankton

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Imagine a water treatment system that works like a natural pond ecosystem, but compact enough to fit next to a building. Instead of expensive chemicals and complex machinery, INNOQUA uses earthworms, tiny water fleas called Daphnia, and natural microorganisms to clean wastewater — each organism handles a different stage of purification. The system is modular, so you can scale it from a single house to a small village. It was tested at real demo sites across 9 countries, from Ireland to Peru, proving it works in very different climates and conditions.

By the numbers

consortium partners involved

countries represented in the consortium

countries with demo or pilot sites (France, Italy, Ireland, Romania, UK, Ecuador, Peru, India, Tanzania)

SMEs in the consortium

52%

industry partners in consortium

total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Rural and remote communities across Europe and developing countries lack affordable, low-maintenance wastewater treatment. Connecting scattered settlements to centralized sewage plants is prohibitively expensive, and conventional on-site systems demand chemicals, energy, and skilled technicians that aren't available in these locations. Meanwhile, the EU Water Framework Directive demands better water quality in surface freshwaters, creating regulatory pressure without providing easy solutions.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered a fully integrated prototype combining a Lumbrifilter (worm-based treatment) and Daphniafilter (zooplankton-based treatment) with an ICT monitoring module and optional UV or BSP technology. Demonstration sites were installed and operated in real conditions across multiple countries.

Audience

Who needs this

Rural municipal water authorities needing affordable decentralized sewage treatmentAgricultural operations facing wastewater compliance costs under EU Water Framework DirectiveEco-housing developers building off-grid or remote properties without sewer connectionsResort and tourism operators in water-stressed or ecologically sensitive areasNGOs and development agencies deploying sanitation infrastructure in developing countries

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Rural Water Utilities & Municipal Services

SME

Target: Small municipal water authorities or utility cooperatives serving remote communities

If you are a rural water utility struggling with expensive centralized sewage infrastructure for scattered communities — this project developed a modular biological treatment system using worms and zooplankton that was demonstrated across 9 countries. The system targets 'zero' wastewater discharge with complete reuse, reducing the need for costly pipe networks to distant treatment plants. With 21 consortium partners validating the technology, it offers a decentralized alternative designed specifically for small to medium communities.

Agriculture & Agri-Food Processing

any

Target: Farms and food processing facilities with on-site wastewater challenges

If you are an agricultural business dealing with wastewater disposal costs and tightening EU Water Framework Directive compliance — this project built a fully integrated prototype combining a Lumbrifilter (worm-based) and Daphniafilter (zooplankton-based) system with ICT monitoring. The treated water is designed for complete reuse, potentially for irrigation, cutting your freshwater consumption. The modular design means you can scale the system to match your operation's actual output.

Sustainable Construction & Eco-Housing

mid-size

Target: Developers of off-grid housing, eco-villages, and resort properties in water-stressed areas

If you are a property developer building sustainable homes or eco-resorts in areas without municipal sewage connections — this project delivered demonstration sites proving a fully ecological sanitation system that requires no chemicals and minimal skilled maintenance. The technology was specifically designed for situations where skilled staff are unavailable and resources limited. With patent-protected modular components, you can configure the system for individual houses or collective housing developments.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to install an INNOQUA system?

The project data does not disclose specific pricing or unit costs. However, the system was explicitly designed to be 'affordable' and targeted at communities and markets 'where resources are limited,' suggesting competitive pricing against conventional treatment plants. Contact the coordinator for commercial pricing.

Can this scale beyond a single household?

Yes. The system is described as 'scalable' and 'modular,' targeting everything from individual sustainable homes to small and medium-sized communities. The modular design means you add filtration units as capacity needs grow, rather than replacing the whole system.

What is the IP situation — can I license this technology?

The technology is described as 'patent protected' and 'award winning.' NOBATEK (France) coordinated the project with 21 partners across 11 countries, so licensing arrangements would need to be discussed with the consortium. The Innovation Action funding scheme means commercialization was a primary goal.

Has this been tested in real conditions, not just a lab?

Yes. The project delivered installation of demonstration sites across multiple countries including France, Italy, Ireland, Romania, UK, Ecuador, Peru, India, and Tanzania. A fully integrated prototype combining the Lumbrifilter and Daphniafilter with ICT monitoring was also delivered. Controlled pilots ran at NUI Galway (Ireland) and UDG (Spain).

Does this meet EU Water Framework Directive requirements?

The system was specifically designed to help achieve 'good quality water' as stated by the Water Framework Directive. It targets complete wastewater reuse to reduce discharge into surface freshwaters. However, specific compliance certifications would need to be confirmed with the consortium.

How much maintenance and expertise does it require?

The system was designed for deployment in markets where 'skilled staff are unavailable.' The biological organisms (worms, zooplankton, microorganisms) do the purification work naturally. An ICT monitoring module was integrated into the prototype to support remote oversight.

Can this integrate with existing wastewater infrastructure?

The system is designed as a standalone, decentralized on-site solution — it replaces the need for connection to centralized treatment rather than integrating with it. Its modular design includes optional UV or BSP components that can be added based on local requirements.

Consortium

Who built it

The INNOQUA consortium is unusually large with 21 partners across 11 countries, signaling serious cross-border validation. With 52% industry partners (11 out of 21) and 6 SMEs, this is a commercialization-oriented team, not a purely academic exercise. The mix of 4 universities and 4 research organizations provides scientific credibility, while the industry majority drove real-world deployment. Coordinator NOBATEK is a French research and technology center. The geographic spread from Western Europe to South America and South Asia demonstrates the technology works across vastly different regulatory environments and climates.

NOBATEKCoordinator · FR
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAYparticipant · IE
UNIVERSITAT DE GIRONAparticipant · ES
UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCAparticipant · EC
DE 5 SERVICES SRLparticipant · IT
EKODENGE MUHENDISLIK MIMARLIK DANISMANLIK TICARET ANONIM SIRKETIparticipant · TR
FUNDACIO EURECATparticipant · ES
INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU ECOLOGIE INDUSTRIALAparticipant · RO
R2M SOLUTION SRLparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

NOBATEK (France) — use SciTransfer's coordinator lookup service to get the project lead's direct contact

Order a report on this consortium See NOBATEK profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the INNOQUA team? SciTransfer can connect you with the right consortium partner for your specific use case — whether you need licensing, a pilot deployment, or a technical consultation.

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