The DENOMINATE project relies on developing a scenario in which the liquid fraction (condensate) of the municipal fermentable household waste (FMSW) will be combined and co-managed with either the municipal wastewater (MWW) in a common collection sewer system or will be transported and mixed with the excess sludge generated in conventional treatment plants, enhancing the generation of biogas.

These two streams are currently being treated as separate waste streams; FMSW is collected as part of the mixed solid waste and landfilled and MWW is led to a wastewater treatment facility through the sewer.

Currently, the benchmark approach to municipal wastewater management consists of treatment in a facility aiming at removal of suspended solids through primary sedimentation, biological oxidation of organic matter, biological nutrient (N and P) removal and disposal of the clarified effluent following disinfection by chlorination. The process generates a mixture of primary and excess secondary sludge which are typically mixed, stabilized by anaerobic digestion and dewatered before disposal. The key operating costs lie in the aeration and in sludge (bio-solids).