ZeeWeed* 500 Membrane Bioreactor

Enabling the wastewater utility of the future with Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)

ZeeWeed 500 Ultrafiltration membranes with LEAPmbr technology is a proven, future proof and cost-effective solution to help municipalities and industrial customers overcome their water challenges and turn wastewater into a valuable resource.

Download ZeeWeed Membranes for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Brochure

ZeeWeed 500 LEAPmbr Technology Advantages

At its core, LEAPmbr technology uses Veolia’s leading ZeeWeed 500 membranes while incorporating significant innovations that take wastewater treatment to the next level.

Process intensification – footprint savings and retrofit capabilities
Low total cost of ownership
Consistently produces high quality effluent
Reuse ready
Enabler of micropollutant removal

Overview
How it Works
Case Studies
Resources

Overview

The ZeeWeed 500 Membrane Family

Veolia's immersed ZeeWeed 500 membrane is specifically designed for difficult-to-treat water sources. Wastewater, water reuse, and industrial applications can all benefit from Veolia's strongest ZeeWeed membrane to produce water with very high purity and low silt density.

With more than two decades of membrane design experience, Veolia has optimized the ZeeWeed 500 membrane to improve flux, achieve greater permeability, reduce energy consumption, and increase membrane lifespan.

Trusted name in filtration for membrane bioreactors

Our customers continue to trust the ZeeWeed brand to provide reliable MBRs. The ZeeWeed 500 delivers real value through its unmatched strength and longevity in every imaginable plant flow size.

Performance

High flux dedicated MBR membrane chemistry since 2007 with permeability > 900 lmh/bar
True UF membrane for over 25 years with proven 0.035 μm nominal pore size
Patented LEAPmbr technology providing exceptional energy consumption savings
Superior fiber strength, 60x greater than non- reinforced membranes

Reliability

Exceptional membrane reliability and product life with many municipal customers achieving 12 to 16 years operation; longest proven life 21 years!
Veolia stands by its products offering peace of mind with warranties up to 20 years in duration
Industrial customers trust the exceptional performance and reliability of the ZeeWeed MBR to allow them to focus on their core business

Proven Experience

Over 2500 MBRs globally running with ZeeWeed 500 membranes
More than 1.5 million operating modules treating over 32000 MLD (8325 MGD) daily

Flexibility & Simplicity

Configurable product to provide plant layout versatility for easy future expansion even for those with footprint constraints
Demonstrated simple retrofit solutions for conventional upgrades and more than 15 other MBR membrane suppliers

How it Works

ZeeWeed MBR combines conventional biological wastewater treatment with advanced membrane filtration to deliver superior quality effluent.

In this innovative process, our specialized ZeeWeed UF hollow-fiber membranes act like microscopic sieves, filtering out solids while allowing clean water to pass through.

Unlike traditional treatment systems, ZeeWeed MBR eliminates the need for secondary clarifiers and tertiary filtration, making it more compact and efficient. The ZeeWeed UF membranes are submerged directly in the biological treatment tank, where beneficial bacteria break down waste while the ultrafiltration membrane fibers capture and retain suspended solids and microorganisms. This results in consistently high-quality treated water that's suitable for reuse or safe environmental discharge, all while requiring up a fraction of the space needed for a conventional treatment plant.

How it works

Case Studies

Building the World’s Largest MBR- Upgrading Stockholm’s Wastewater Treatment: Download Full Case Study

The Henriksdal WWTP faced significant challenges, including the need to double its capacity by 2031 while maintaining strict effluent quality standards and working within limited underground space constraints. To address these challenges, Veolia has implemented their innovative LEAPmbr technology, which involves retrofitting the fourteen existing secondary clarifiers with advanced membrane filtration systems. This solution maximizes the use of available space while ensuring high-quality water treatment capabilities to meet future capacity demands.
After Excellent Longevity of Original ZeeWeed MBR Membranes, City of Redlands Improves Productivity and Sustainability with LEAPmbr Aeration Upgrade: Download Full Case Study

In 2000, Redlands proposed treating city wastewater to supply Mountainview Power Company's cooling towers, preserving groundwater resources. After California Energy Commission approval, they implemented ZeeWeed ultrafiltration membranes for their superior quality and reliability. The longevity of the original MBR membranes provided ~100% costs savings to the city by only being replaced once in 16 years.
Nordkanal Canal Restoration: Achieving Bathing Water Quality with ZeeWeed MBR: Download Full Case Study

The Nordkanal, an 1800s canal connecting Germany and The Netherlands, received effluent from Kaarst's outdated sewage treatment plant. After both countries' Environmental Affairs Ministers noted environmental concerns, the plant operator Erftverband upgraded to a ZeeWeed MBR system to achieve 'bathing water quality' standards, helping restore the canal's water quality.
ZeeWeed MBR Membranes Demonstrate Excellent Longevity and Meet Reuse Needs at American Canyon: Download Full Case Study

To address population growth and water scarcity, American Canyon built a city-owned ZeeWeed MBR facility that met California Title 22 water reuse standards. The plant treats wastewater for vineyard and golf course irrigation, reducing Napa River freshwater usage. As the first MBR system to achieve Title 22 recognition, the facility proved cost-effective with membrane replacements needed only once in 13 years.
Upgrading Brescia Wastewater Treatment Plant: Download Full Case Study

Brescia's 1980 wastewater plant needed upgrading to meet EU standards but faced space limitations. Veolia installed a ZeeWeed MBR system to replace one of three treatment lines, featuring 0.04 micron membrane filtration. This upgrade eliminated secondary clarifiers, enabled nitrification/denitrification within the existing footprint, and successfully met EU regulations while increasing capacity for the city and suburbs.