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Knowledge hub

2026 • VA Strategi Sverige AB; Svenskt Vatten; Tillväxtpunkten AB; and Envira Miljökonsult Uppströmsportalen (The Upstream Portal)

Uppströmsportalen (The Upstream Portal) is a membership-based digital knowledge hub that supports systematic upstream work to reduce pollutants at source in Wastewater systems. By providing structured guidance, templates, methodological support, and advisory services, the portal helps water utilities and environmental authorities prevent hazardous substances from entering sewer systems. This upstream pollution control is a core prerequisite for REVAQ-compliant sludge management and directly enables safer recovery and reuse of Nutrients and other resources from Wastewater and sludge. REVAQ is a system for certification of the quality of sludge from Wastewater treatment plants in Sweden.

Recovered Materials & Products

Nutrients

Waste Streams

Wastewater
Wastewater sludge
Sewage sludge

Confirmed countries

Sweden

What is this tool intended for?

Uppströmsportalen is intended to support systematic upstream pollution prevention in sewered Wastewater systems. Its primary purpose is to help utilities and authorities reduce hazardous substances at source, before they enter the sewer network, thereby protecting treatment processes, improving sludge quality, and enabling safe downstream resource recovery, particularly of Nutrients. This aligns directly with REVAQ’s core principle that high-quality, reusable sludge depends on effective upstream work.

How does this tool work?

The tool functions as a web-based knowledge and support platform combining:

  • curated guidance on upstream work, legal Frameworks, and good practice;
  • downloadable templates and structured documents for planning, supervision, and follow-up;
  • stepwise methodological support for organising upstream interventions (e.g. area-based approaches and source tracing);
  • an AI-based assistant (“Ulla”) for rapid guidance and navigation; and
  • access to human expert support (“uppströmssupport”) for complex cases.

Together, these elements help organisations operationalise upstream work in a consistent and REVAQ-aligned manner.

Who might use this tool and with which types of stakeholders?

Primary users include:

  • Water utilities, especially staff responsible for upstream work, industrial discharge control, sludge quality, and REVAQ compliance;
  • Municipal environmental authorities involved in supervision, permitting, and coordination of pollutant source control.

The portal supports interaction with regulated activities (e.g. industries, businesses), internal utility departments, and inter-municipal coordination relevant to upstream interventions.

What stages of a process can this tool support?

  • Planning and structuring upstream work programmes
  • Implementation of upstream interventions and stakeholder engagement
  • Monitoring, documentation, and follow-up of pollution reduction measures
  • Capacity building and continuous improvement through training and peer exchange

What skills, capabilities and resources are required to use this tool?

  • Internet access and organisational capacity for digital work
  • Basic professional competence in Wastewater management, upstream work, or environmental supervision
  • Ability to apply templates, conduct follow-up, and engage with support functions

The tool is Designed to lower the threshold for systematic upstream work rather than require advanced modelling or analytical skills.

Where can this tool be used?

Uppströmsportalen is primarily intended for Sweden, reflecting Swedish regulatory Frameworks, sector practice, and REVAQ requirements. It is most applicable in municipal Wastewater systems where sludge reuse and resource recovery are policy objectives and where upstream pollution control is institutionally mandated.

Case examples of where this tool has been used

At launch, the portal builds on development work conducted in dialogue with multiple Swedish water utilities and sector actors. Published, standalone Case studies are not yet documented, but the portal is Designed for immediate application by member utilities from 2026 onwards.

Get the Tool

The portal is accessible at the link below. Detailed materials in the portal are available only to registered members.
https://uppstromsportalen.se/

Learn more

More info on the platform on the Svenskt Vatten website:
https://www.svensktvatten.se/om-oss/nyheter-och-press/nyheter/nya-uppstromsportalen-stottar-uppstromsarbetet--bli-medlem/

More info about the REVAQ certification:
https://www.svensktvatten.se/vara-sakomraden/avlopp-och-miljo/slamanvandning-och-revaq/

Technologies

Sludge application

Themes

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Capacity building
Policy and regulation
Safety
Pollution prevention