MS Riviera Radiance

Scylla’s river cruise ships are renowned for their high quality, innovative technology, and comfort. With a growing fleet that now numbers 43 ships, Scylla sought an advanced, sustainable, and reliable wastewater treatment system for its newest addition, the MS Riviera Radiance.

On board this luxury hotel ship, which accommodates 182 guests and sails on the Rhine and the Danube, all wastewater had to be:

• Collected efficiently
• Processed in an energy-efficient manner
• Comply with strict environmental standards (including MEPC.227(64) and the Rhine Navigation Regulations)
• And be treated to a standard that allows it to be safely discharged overboard.

With limited space in the hull and high demands on comfort, noise levels, and sustainability, a modular, compact, and extremely reliable system was essential.

Together with partner Klimaatservice Holland, Qua-vac supplied a fully integrated wastewater treatment system from the Evac portfolio.

Evac MBR – Membrane BioReactor

The core of the system is the Evac MBR, a biological treatment system that:

• Black water (toilets)
• Grey water (showers, sinks, washing machines)
• And kitchen water (after a grease trap) are fully treated without the need for post-treatment

The MBR uses membrane filtration to naturally break down and filter wastewater. This results in excellent water quality, such that as much as 98% of the treated water can be safely discharged overboard, fully compliant with environmental requirements for international river cruising.

Quiet vacuum toilets on board
Qua-vac also supplied Evac Optima 5 vacuum toilets, which are perfectly suited for luxury river cruises due to:

• Very low water consumption (0.5–1.2 liters per flush)
• Quiet operation for maximum comfort in the cabins
• Compact installation and low maintenance requirements

With 4 luxury suites, 8 elegant suites, and 79 spacious double cabins, this is crucial for a quiet and comfortable cruise experience.

Compact grease trap for the bistro
A compact grease trap was installed in the bistro to capture food scraps and grease before kitchen wastewater reaches the treatment plant. This makes the system more sustainable and extends the MBR’s service life.

Modular design for optimal integration
The system features a fully modular design:

• The vacuum tank and mixing tank are separate from the MBR tank
• All stainless steel tanks are supplied with welded flanges, allowing them to be installed without additional work
• The units are installed in the hull in a space-saving manner.

Thanks to this approach, the system can be efficiently installed, even in the limited technical spaces of a river cruise ship.

Thanks to the integrated wastewater treatment system from Qua-vac and Evac, the MS Riviera Radiance features:

• 98% clean water that can be safely discharged overboard in accordance with MEPC.227(64) and the Rhine Navigation Regulations
• Minimal drinking water consumption thanks to quiet vacuum toilets with extremely low flush volumes
• Complete processing of black, gray, and kitchen wastewater with a single integrated system
• Compact, quiet, and sustainable systems, matching the high level of comfort on board
• Modular and future-proof wastewater technology, suitable for both new ships and refits

With this project, Qua-vac strengthens a partnership of over 37 years with Scylla, ensuring that the fleet remains a leader not only in comfort but also in sustainability and environmentally friendly marine technology.

Would you like to learn more about sustainable wastewater treatment on board? Please contact our marine specialists!