Lab Trip to the Berlin Sewage Treatment Facility Klärwerk Ruhleben

04.12.2025

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In our lab, we are developing high tech solutions by rewiring bacterial metabolism to serve completely new tasks. For these technologies to change the world, there is still a long way to go. Not so long ago, water management was such high a tech solution, while now it is routinely applied - at least in our home, Berlin. To understand the scale and details of this process, we visited the biggest water treatment plant in the west of Berlin – built by the United States during Berlin’s division to reduce dependency on the GDR-owned water treatment plants outside of Berlin.

At the water treatment plant, we got a 3-hour tour and learned about the interplay of mechanical, chemical and biological wastewater treatment. The Ruhleben site has an astonishing capacity of treating about 300.000 m3 of wastewater per day and is constantly innovating to extend its cleaning capabilities so that it can even remove microplastic and pharmaceuticals.

To be fair: it was a bit smelly but our great tour guide, the view from the roof and our cool outfits made up for it. Strong recommendation to visit your next wastewater treatment plant and understand why wet wipes are the “final boss” of water treatment.