As the Olympic swimmers dived into the river Seine in Paris earlier this year, the world witnessed proof that after a century-old swimming ban in the French capital city, a $1 billion project to clean the river in time for the event had been (mostly) a success.
But not all European cities have clean waterways. In London, protestors are set to march this weekend to campaign against unclean waters across the UK, where 24% of freshwater fish is currently at risk of extinction due to pollution.
In Denmark, swimming in the capital city of Copenhagen is nothing new. The Nyhavn River sees people joining dozens of species of fish for a dip on a daily basis, right in the city centre.
So why are fish in countries such as the UK under threat while the Danes can swim alongside cod and seatrout in their own capital? And how can other cities in the global north and businesses learn from Denmark’s environmental efforts?
Thomas Mikkelsen, chief project manager and water team lead for Danish water firm Clean, cites Denmark’s unified approach to protecting its waterways as one reason that biodiversity is flourishing in the capital.
“Denmark’s ecosystem exemplifies how high levels of trust and collaborative spirit can foster groundbreaking innovations,” Mikkelsen tells TI at TechBBQ in Copenhagen.
Clean supports around 300 members, ranging from small to large-sized companies, entrepreneurs, utilities, municipalities, regions and knowledge institutions.
It provides access to resources such as funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities and provides young companies an opportunity to innovate within their country and around the world – co-financed by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, the Danish Business Promotion Agency and the European Union.
Mikkelsen oversees Clean’s water-related activities, “from pipes and pumps in both drinking and wastewater systems to climate adaptation and water in open landscapes,” he explains.
Operation clean-up
It wasn’t always such a clear story for Denmark’s rivers. Back in 1995, Copenhagen had wastewater flowing directly into its harbour through 93 overflow channels. In order to clean things up, the city began a $440 million project to reroute the wastewater through underground basins.
Despite the investment, it still requires heavy, energy-intensive infrastructure to keep Danish water clean. A lot of investment is still needed, too, says Mikkelsen.
“When we talk about the infrastructure of our drinking water or wastewater, we transport a lot of volume around the pipes, and we need a lot of pumps which take a lot of energy,” he explains.
Recognising this, Clean is supporting Danish-based innovators and harnessing the power of big data to monitor energy efficiency, leak prevention, and stormwater management.
For instance, one firm under Clean’s wing is InflowGo – which uses AI and machine learning to predict the behaviour of stormwater to help with urban planning; another is InfoTiles, which also uses AI to streamline water and wastewater network management processes to help with data analysis and take on challenges in the energy sector.
Progress in this traditionally conservative sector isn’t without its challenges, he says. “The utility sector is a little bit dusty, a little conservative, and very much about the long-term perspective,” Mikkelsen observes.
A critical barrier, he highlights, is the perceived disinterest from the political sphere, which affects industry regulation. “There’s a lack of interest and understanding from the political side,” he continues.
“However, in Denmark, some utilities can now invest in start-ups, working on a 60/40 model, which wasn’t allowed before because they’re a publicly owned company,” Mikkelsen notes. This policy evolution signifies “a huge opportunity for innovation and co-development for start-ups,” enabling a flow of fresh ideas and technologies into the sector.
Resource, not waste
Mikkelsen further highlights the role of digitalisation and the circular economy in steering the sector toward sustainability. “Digitalisation is on the rise, and the circular economy agenda is gaining traction,” he says.
Denmark is currently utilising wastewater as a resource, recovering nutrients like phosphorus for agricultural use, and even achieving energy-positive wastewater treatment plants. “Viewing wastewater as a resource rather than waste fits within a circular system approach driving the industry forward,” Mikkelsen explains.
Yet, the journey toward a sustainable utility sector is not solely about implementing new technologies or strategies.
Mikkelsen emphasises the importance of building networks and fostering collaboration in an industry traditionally known for its conservatism and rigidity.
“Our mission is to connect the ecosystem, breaking down barriers and fostering openness,” he says.
While competition and group dynamics pose challenges, the aim is to promote cooperation. Denmark’s national objectives reflect this ethos by focusing on global challenges and positioning the country as a test bed for new technologies, albeit with some historical and political barriers. Encouraging collaboration, Mikkelsen states, “is a personal mission of mine.”
