Nutriloopworks

08/10/2026

Here’s a recap of how the filter materials were replaced at Lake Dūņezers in Limbažu Novads as part of the project!

🔬 Two types of filtration materials are being tested to assess their ability to capture nutrients, particularly phosphorus, from water.

🌱 Soil samples were also collected from planting beds where the recovered nutrients will later be tested as soil amendments. This will help us explore how nutrients recovered from water can be reused in municipal green spaces, putting circular economy principles into practice! ♻️

25/09/2026

⭐ Tonight is European Researchers’ Night, and our laboratories are three very different water bodies.

What does science look like when an experiment moves beyond the laboratory and into a lake or urban pond?

In our new NutriLoopWorks video, meet the people behind three real-life pilot sites:

🌊 Lake Dūņezers in Visit Limbaži
🌿 Rīdzene Pond in Cēsis. Cēsu novads
💧 Lake Võnnu in Kastre vald

This is where researchers, environmental experts and municipalities are working together to test different systems for capturing phosphorus from water. The pilots will help us understand what works under real local conditions and whether the recovered nutrients can later be returned to use in municipal green areas.

Behind this work is a team of seven partners: LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte Latvijas Universitāte University of Tartu B-Nature I Baltijas Dabas kapitāla institūts Cēsis. Cēsu novads Limbažu Novads Kastre vald

▶️ Watch the NutriLoopWorks story:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_MRW8U_Xgvg
Estonia-Latvia Programme | Zinātne Latvijai - Research Latvia

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11/09/2026

🔬 Studying phosphorus levels in lake sediments as part of the project.

This summer, researchers from Tartu observatoorium together with Eesti Maaülikool/Estonian University of Life Sciences collected sediment samples from three lakes: Lake Võnnu in Estonia 🇪🇪 and Lakes Rīdzene and Dūņezers in Latvia 🇱🇻.

The aim was to study the concentration of phosphorus, an essential nutrient for phytoplankton growth, in the lake sediments. The samples showed clear differences between the lakes. The surface sediment layer of Lake Rīdzene had a lower phosphorus concentration, while the sediments of Lakes Võnnu and Dūņezers were considerably richer in phosphorus.

Studying phosphorus concentrations in sediments helps us better understand how nutrients influence lake ecosystems and the role sediments play in lake water quality.

The samples were collected as part of the Estonia-Latvia Programme project, which aims to develop cross-border solutions for nutrient recovery and reuse. As part of the project, researchers are also developing a prototype for removing phosphorus from water bodies where excess phosphorus contributes to eutrophication and algal blooms. In addition, a remote-sensing-based tool is being developed to monitor the amount of algae in selected water bodies.

📷Photos: Kersti Kangro
ℹ️Read more about the project: https://kosmos.ut.ee/en/content/nutriloopworks

27/08/2026

💧 Today is World Lake Day! 🌍

A perfect day to celebrate our lakes and waterbodies, but also to remember that many of them need our help.

Across the EU, only 39.6% of surface waters reach good or high ecological status. In our own region, the challenge is just as visible: around two thirds of Latvia’s surface waters and about half of Estonia’s do not reach good ecological status.

And sometimes the problem is literally green. 🟢

Too much phosphorus entering lakes and ponds from wastewater, agriculture and runoff can fuel excessive algae growth and eutrophication, reducing water quality, biodiversity and the possibilities for swimming, fishing and simply enjoying these places.

This is exactly the shared 🇪🇪 Estonia–Latvia 🇱🇻 challenge that is working on.

At our three pilot sites - Lake Võnnu in Kastre vald, Rīdzene Pond in Cēsis. Cēsu novads and Lake Dūņezers in Limbažu Novads - we are moving from monitoring to action: testing solutions that remove excess phosphorus from water, recover it as a resource and explore how it can be reused instead of wasted.

Because water pollution does not stop at borders, and neither should the solutions. 💧♻️

On , our wish is simple: healthier lakes, practical solutions and more places where people can once again enjoy clean water.
Estonia-Latvia Programme

10/07/2026

Take a closer look at our little visitors! 🥰🦆

And see our Latvian municipality partner’s Limbažu Novads summer office - on the water! This is where the team is busy sampling, observing, and reporting on the progress of our solution to the rest of the team.

Science, nature, and fieldwork in perfect summer harmony. Enjoy the summer! ☀️🌿
Estonia-Latvia Programme

10/07/2026

🦆 Our birdhouse has its first visitors at Limbažu Novads!

A duck family has already discovered the floating platform and seems to feel right at home. 💚 It is wonderful to see the installation becoming part of the local lake habitat so quickly.

Take a close look at the photo - how many ducklings can you count? 👀🐥
📸 Jānis Remess
Estonia-Latvia Programme

08/07/2026

🌿 Meet us at the festivāls LAMPA (Lampa Conversation Festival).

We are excited to announce that the project will be represented at the panel discussion: "Can Nature-Based Solutions Tackle Human-Caused Pollution?"

🎤 Our speaker, Linda Grīnberga from the LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte is an environmental engineer and constructed wetlands expert with extensive experience in designing and implementing nature-based solutions for water treatment. During the discussion, she will share insights into how constructed wetlands and other nature-based solutions can improve water quality, reduce pollution, and support climate resilience.

📅 10 July
🕝 14:30–15:30
📍 Stage 17 – "Green Comes to the City"

Join us to explore how nature-based solutions are being used to treat water!

LV 10. jūlijs 14.30–15.30 Skatuve "Zaļš ienāk pilsētā" Paneļdiskusija "Vai dabā balstīti risinājumi var tikt galā ar cilvēka radītu piesārņojumu?"

09/06/2026

We returned to Lake Dūņezers in Limbažu Novads to install the final two pilot prototypes, marking the completion of our pilot installation phase and the beginning of long-term testing of innovative nutrient removal solutions.

The day was filled with lifting, assembling, transporting and carefully placing the structures into their new home. It was also a reminder of how much collaboration stands behind every pilot we install — from project partners and local stakeholders to everyone involved in turning an idea into something tangible.

🦆🏠 One of the pilots is a floating birdhouse pontoon. At first glance, it looks like a simple structure for waterfowl. But beneath the surface, submerged phosphorus-adsorbing filter cartridges are quietly working to capture excess nutrients from the lake.

💧 The second pilot is hidden inside an inlet well, where specially designed filter cartridges help intercept phosphorus before it reaches the lake. Most visitors will never notice this process, even though it is quietly taking place right beside them.

🗺️ To make these invisible processes visible, we also installed a new information billboard next to the pilot site. The display introduces Lake Dūņezers, explains the challenges caused by nutrient pollution, and reveals what is happening beneath the water surface inside both pilot systems. Next time you visit the lake, take a closer look — there is much more happening than meets the eye.
📸 Inga Retiķe
Estonia-Latvia Programme | Zinātne Latvijai - Research Latvia
LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte | LU Medicīnas un dzīvības zinātņu fakultāte | Latvijas Universitāte | Tartu observatoorium | Biedrība Baltijas Krasti | Kastre vald | Cēsis. Cēsu novads | Limbažu Novads | Limbažu novada publisko ūdeņu apsaimniekošanas nodaļa "Alda" | Ekostandarts Tehnoloģijas |

07/05/2026

Let's meet in Limbažu Novads Lake Dūņezers and experience another round of prototype installation!

When? May 18th
Time? 14:00
Where? Lake Dūņezers

More info ⬇️

♻️18. maijā plkst. 14.00 Dūņezerā tiks uzstādīts fosfora attīrīšanas un atguves prototips, kura mērķis ir uzlabot ūdens kvalitāti un mazināt barības vielu piesārņojumu.
💧Latvijas un Igaunijas sadarbības projekta Nutriloopworks “Cirkulāra barības vielu atgūšana ilgtspējīgām pašvaldībām” ietvaros tiek meklēti ilgtspējīgi risinājumi pārmērīga barības vielu piesārņojuma mazināšanai ezeros un dīķos. No ūdens tiek attīrīts fosfors, ko iespējams atkārtoti izmantot, piemēram, pilsētas apstādījumu uzturēšanā.
📍Aktivitātes tiek īstenotas trīs pilotvietās: Võnnu ezerā Kastrē (Igaunijā), Rīdzenes dīķī Cēsīs un Dūņezerā Limbažos.
🤝Projekta partneri ir LBTU - Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte, Latvijas Universitāte, University of Tartu (Igaunija),
Biedrība Baltijas Krasti, Cēsis. Cēsu novads, Limbažu Novads un Kastre vald (Igaunija).