Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH

What Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH does

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH (SE|BS) is the statutory municipal wastewater utility for the city of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, and the surrounding region, operating a vertically integrated service stack. Collection is handled through an approximately 1,450-kilometer canal network with more than 100 pumping stations; treatment takes place at the Klärwerk Steinhof, which has a design capacity of 275,000 population equivalents and processes approximately 22 million cubic meters of wastewater annually. Final aftertreatment is performed via the Rieselbetrieb Steinhof, a 490-hectare land irrigation system in continuous operation since March 16, 1895, supplemented by spray irrigation (Verregnung). The company also operates a DAkkS-accredited environmental laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, registration D-PL-14610-01-00) and the Gewässerdienst, which performs waterway maintenance and flood control for the Oker, Schunter, Wabe, and Mittelriede rivers.

The treatment train combines mechanical screening, sand/fat trapping, primary settlement, activated sludge with simultaneous nitrogen and biological phosphorus removal, secondary settlement, and mesophilic/thermophilic anaerobic sludge digestion. Digester biogas (approximately 60-63% methane) is supplemented by biogas from the Kompost GmbH bio-waste plant and landfill gas from Deponie Watenbüttel, and is converted to electricity and heat via a combined heat and power unit; surplus heat is reused. SE|BS is a member of several applied research consortia, including P-Net (phosphorus recovery, ~€3.46M through mid-2025 with TU Braunschweig), REPLAWA (microplastic removal, federally funded), and TransMIT (retention soil filter research), positioning the utility as a testbed for circular-economy and advanced treatment methods.

The business model is anchored on regulated wastewater fees (Abwassergebühren) billed to connected households and businesses via the parent BS|ENERGY billing infrastructure, supplemented by individualized commercial wastewater services for industrial discharge customers, laboratory analysis for third parties, canal cleaning/sanierung services, and emergency response. SE|BS has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of BS|ENERGY Gruppe (approximately 1,200 employees) since 2006; BS|ENERGY is jointly controlled by Veolia Environnement and Thüga. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, 50001, and 45001 certifications (renewed 2023-11-10 via DQS GmbH), Entsorgungsfachbetrieb status, and DAkkS laboratory accreditation. Leadership consists of two Managing Directors: Judith Kraft (since October 1, 2023) and Kai-Uwe Rothe (since January 1, 2020).

Name

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH

Legal name

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH

Website

https://stadtentwaesserung-braunschweig.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH (SE|BS) is the statutory municipal wastewater utility for Braunschweig, Germany, operating a 1,450 km canal network, the 275,000-PE Klärwerk Steinhof, and a 490-hectare Rieselbetrieb irrigation aftertreatment system. It is a BS|ENERGY Gruppe (Veolia/Thüga) subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Wastewater Management Services

NAICS

Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Municipal Wastewater Collection (Sewer Networks) (BPALAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Wastewater Reuse (Cooling/Process/Boiler Feed) (EUANADAM), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

Keywords

• Municipal wastewater treatment
• Sewer network operations
• Industrial wastewater management
• Environmental laboratory services
• Urban water management

Headquarters

HQ city

Braunschweig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Abwassergebühren (Wastewater Fees): SE|BS generates primary revenue through wastewater fees charged to citizens and businesses of Braunschweig based on water consumption and/or property assessments. As the statutory wastewater disposal provider for the city, the company collects fees for collecting, treating, and disposing of municipal wastewater.
2. Gewerbliches Abwasser (Commercial Wastewater Services): SE|BS provides specialized wastewater management services for commercial and industrial businesses, including monitoring of industrial wastewater discharges (Indirekteinleiterkontrolle). Individual offers are provided based on customer-specific requirements.
3. Dienstleistungen (Laboratory and Technical Services): SE|BS offers laboratory analysis services and technical services to third parties including environmental testing of wastewater, groundwater, surface water, soil, and solids. Also conducts fat acid analysis for process monitoring of biogas plants and provides services for the City of Braunschweig in the area of monitoring contaminated sites and old landfills.
4. Kanalreinigung und -sanierung (Pipeline Maintenance Services): Pipe and canal cleaning, repair, and new construction services for Braunschweig's canal infrastructure using specialized vehicles with vacuum and flushing systems. Emergency service available 24 hours, including weekends.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH (SE|BS) operates as the statutory municipal wastewater utility for the city of Braunschweig and surrounding region, providing collection, treatment, and disposal of municipal wastewater through the Klärwerk Steinhof treatment plant (275,000 population equivalent capacity) and an approximately 1,450 km canal network. The company also delivers commercial and industrial wastewater management, environmental laboratory analysis, water body maintenance with flood control, canal/pipe cleaning and repair, and operates the historic Rieselbetrieb Steinhof seepage irrigation system for natural aftertreatment.

Product overview

Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH (SE|BS) provides comprehensive municipal wastewater management services for the city of Braunschweig and the region. The company operates a modular service portfolio centered on the Klärwerk Steinhof treatment plant and approximately 1,450 km canal network. Core offerings include mechanical and biological wastewater treatment with biogas production, wastewater recycling through seepage irrigation (Rieselbetrieb) and spray irrigation (Verregnung), environmental laboratory services, water body maintenance (Gewässerdienst), and flood control. Supporting services include citizen services for sewage fees, a portal for specialist trades, and educational programs for schools. The company belongs to the BS|ENERGY group and operates under the Veolia umbrella since 2006.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Klärwerk Steinhof (Steinhof Wastewater Treatment Plant) Main wastewater treatment facility operated by SE|BS, featuring mechanical and biological treatment processes with simultaneous nitrogen and biological phosphorus removal, anaerobic sludge digestion for biogas production, and treatment capacity of 275,000 population equivalents processing approximately 22 million cubic meters of wastewater annually.
• Kanalnetz (Sewer Network Operations) Maintenance, renovation, and new construction of the canal network spanning approximately 1,450 kilometers with over 100 pumping stations, providing functional safety of Braunschweig's drainage infrastructure including pipe and canal cleaning, repair, and 24/7 emergency service.
• Environmental Laboratory Services (Labor) DAkkS-accredited environmental analytical laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, D-PL-14610-01-00) conducting physical, physico-chemical, and chemical examinations of wastewater, surface water, groundwater, sludge, and soils. Performs fat acid analysis for biogas plant monitoring and provides contaminated site and old landfill monitoring for the City of Braunschweig.
• Abwasserrecycling (Wastewater Recycling) — Rieselbetrieb & Verregnung Special wastewater recycling through seepage irrigation fields (Rieselfelder) and spray irrigation (Verregnung), closing the water cycle. The seepage operation at Steinhof, operational since 1895, provides natural post-treatment and serves as a protected wetland habitat and natural buffer system for the Oker River.
• Gewässerdienst (Water Body Service) Water body maintenance, ecological restoration, flood control, and weir management for rivers including Oker, Schunter, Wabe, and Mittelriede, including operating flood gauges and coordinating with Feuerwehr Braunschweig, THW, and NLWKN during flood events.
• Gewerbliches Abwasser (Commercial Wastewater Services) Specialized wastewater management services for commercial and industrial businesses including monitoring of industrial wastewater discharges (Indirekteinleiterkontrolle), process water treatment, and individualized service offers based on customer-specific requirements.
• Portal für Fachbetriebe (Professional Trade Portal) Online portal for authorized specialist companies (Fachbetriebe) in manufacturing, tightness testing, and renovation (GEA) of drainage systems, providing access to technical guidelines, forms, and certified specialist information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Treatment capacity: 275,000 population equivalents, processing approximately 22 million cubic meters of wastewater annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TU Braunschweig - Institut für SiedlungswasserwirtschaftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022SE|BS is a member of the Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Instituts für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft (Institute for Urban Water Management) at TU Braunschweig. The partnership involves multiple research projects: P-Net (phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge, funded with 3.46 million euros until mid-2025), TransMIT (urban planning and water management aspects for future cities), and REPLAWA (microplastic removal from wastewater). SE|BS contributes operational expertise, real-world infrastructure, and practical data to academic research.
• TransMIT Project PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022TransMIT is a research project addressing urban development and water management aspects in neighborhood and infrastructure planning. Partners include the Institute for Siedlungswasserwirtschaft of TU Braunschweig, the City of Braunschweig (as associated partner), and research institutions in Hannover and Hildesheim. At the Braunschweig site, the project evaluates retention soil filter performance for biocides and microplastics in stormwater runoff.
• Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz (NLWKN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NLWKN operates additional flood gauges throughout Lower Saxony. SE|BS reads its own network of gauges on Braunschweig waterways and works with NLWKN during flood events. All gauge data feeds into water level monitoring, analysis, and flood response coordination. SE|BS also provides an online link to NLWKN's PegelOnline platform for public access to water level data.
• Feuerwehr Braunschweig und Technisches Hilfswerk (THW)minorOthers · 1 January 2022During flood events, SE|BS coordinates with the Braunschweig fire department and Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) for flood response operations. SE|BS reads flood gauges, opens Oker and Wabe weirs according to flood alarm plans, and transmits flood warnings to fire department, police, and citizens in flood-prone areas.
• REPLAWA Research ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018REPLAWA (Plastik in der Umwelt - Plastics in the Environment) is a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Partners include the Institute for Siedlungswasserwirtschaft of TU Braunschweig and Abwasserverband Braunschweig. SE|BS provides an experimental treatment plant (three reactors, three filtration units, membrane biology), operational expertise, and practical data. The project investigates microplastic removal from wastewater and compares soil microplastic content in areas with and without sewage sludge fertilization.
• Dual Career Netzwerk SüdOstNiedersachsenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2008BS|ENERGY Gruppe is a member of the Dual Career Netzwerk SüdOstNiedersachsen, which supports dual-career couples when one partner takes a position in the region. This partnership helps BS|ENERGY attract qualified talent by supporting the career integration of employees' partners.
• best choice BraunschweigminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2008BS|ENERGY Gruppe is a partner of the 'best choice' initiative, which brings together business, science, and the city to attract talent nationally and internationally to the Braunschweig region and showcase the quality of life and work in the area.
• Abwasserverband BraunschweigcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006SE|BS operates the Klärwerk Steinhof on behalf of Abwasserverband Braunschweig, which owns the treatment plant. The partnership is the operational core of SE|BS's wastewater treatment services. More than half of the purified water from the treatment plant is sprayed annually onto the fields of Abwasserverband Braunschweig. SE|BS also provides the Sickerwasseraufbereitungsanlage (landfill leachate treatment facility) for Deponie Watenbüttel under this arrangement. The partnership includes joint participation in the REPLAWA research project for microplastic removal.
• BS|ENERGY GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006SE|BS has been a subsidiary of BS|ENERGY Gruppe since 2006. BS|ENERGY is the parent company providing energy, gas, water, and heat services. The BS|ENERGY Gruppe employs approximately 1,200 people and trains 45 apprentices annually. SE|BS operates as the wastewater subsidiary within this group structure. BS|ENERGY is jointly controlled by the city of Braunschweig and shareholders Veolia and Thüga.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Abwasserverband Braunschweig: The municipal wastewater association that owns Klärwerk Steinhof and contracts SE|BS for its operation. It is the principal client and infrastructure owner relationship, functionally an extension of SE|BS's mandate rather than an independent peer.
• Kompost GmbH (Braunschweig): The Braunschweig bio-waste fermentation plant that supplies biogas to SE|BS's Klärwerk Steinhof BHKW and receives waste heat in return. It is an adjacent circular-economy partner enabling SE|BS's renewable energy operations rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Water Technologies Deutschland: The German arm of Veolia's water technology division supplies treatment plant design, operation services, and technology to municipalities globally. As SE|BS's ultimate parent company's water unit, it represents the broader incumbent platform through which SE|BS could access additional concession and O&M contracts.

Direct peers

• Münchner Stadtentwässerung: Munich's municipal wastewater operator runs two major treatment plants serving ~2.6 million population equivalents and a 2,400+ km sewer network. As a fellow German municipal wastewater utility, it shares SE|BS's structure of regulated fees, large-scale underground infrastructure, and circular-economy research initiatives.
• Stadtentwässerung Stuttgart: Stuttgart's municipal wastewater operator runs the Stuttgart-Mühlhausen treatment plant, one of Germany's largest with capacity for ~1.2 million population equivalents. The direct comparability to SE|BS lies in the German municipal utility model, integrated sewer and treatment operations, and energy recovery via sludge digestion.
• Hamburg Wasser: Hamburg's integrated water and wastewater utility serves ~1.9 million inhabitants and operates major treatment plants plus extensive canal networks. SE|BS and Hamburg Wasser share the German Stadtentwässerung model combining regulated monopoly franchise, large-scale treatment capacity, and active R&D in nutrient recovery.
• Berliner Wasserbetriebe (BWB): Berlin's municipal wastewater utility operates one of Europe's largest sewage treatment systems serving ~3.7 million population equivalents. Both SE|BS and BWB are statutory municipal Abwasserdienstleister with similar mandates for sewer network operation, treatment plant operation, and waterway management under German regulatory frameworks.
• Stadtentwässerung Frankfurt am Main: Frankfurt's municipal wastewater utility operates the Frankfurt-Nord and Frankfurt-Süd treatment plants serving the Rhine-Main region. It is directly comparable to SE|BS as another German statutory Abwasserdienstleister with combined sewer network, treatment plant operations, and accredited laboratory services.
• Stadtentwässerung Hannover (Hannover Wasser): Hannover's municipal water and wastewater utility serves the Lower Saxony capital and operates major treatment plants with phosphorus recovery capabilities. SE|BS and Hannover Wasser share regional Lower Saxony roots, statutory mandate structure, and ongoing circular-economy research around nutrient recovery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/se-bs

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stadtentwässerung Braunschweig GmbH