PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL
Blasting Through the Nitrogen Removal Challenge in Wastewater
Wastewater treatment plants face increasing pressure to improve nitrogen removal. Under AMP8, water companies are expected to deliver significant reductions in both phosphorus and nitrogen through upgraded treatment processes, optimisation of assets, and wider environmental interventions. Nitrogen management is...
The solution to tightening phosphorus limits
Phosphorus is one of the most important issues in municipal wastewater treatment in AMP8. Here, Daniel Parry, Head of Sales – Municipal and Industrial, Water Tech, at Veolia, outlines what this means for operators and the technologies available to...
New insight reveals declining phosphorus levels in English rivers
The Environment Agency and the University of Stirling have published a report on the links between phosphorus concentrations and ecology in English rivers.
Phosphorus remains one of the most significant pollutants in England’s rivers. In recent decades, the overall concentration of phosphorous in...
New MBR will be UK’s largest
The UK’s largest membrane bioreactor (MBR) is being installed by United Utilities at its Wigan wastewater treatment works.
The scheme – part of a £230m investment – aims to slash phosphorus, ammonia and iron levels in treated wastewater before it...
Lessening the load: a practical guide for improving phosphorous removal
Ross Brace, filtration business manager at Hydro International, explains what water utilities should consider to ensure their tertiary treatment equipment effectively tackles phosphorous
Phosphorous is an essential element for sustaining plant life – but too much can cause harm....
Meeting ultra-low phosphorus limits at scale
Ever increasing phosphorous targets are driving wider adoption of advanced technologies, writes Duncan Wildgoose, business development manager, Xylem UK.
Interim targets for phosphorus removal - requiring water companies to reduce phosphorus in treated wastewater by 55% by December 2030 -...
Wessex Water in algae treatment trials
Wessex Water is taking part in trials of a nature-based wastewater treatment process that uses algae to break down contaminants.
The £1m agreement – a joint venture with wastewater firm Marlowe Environmental Services (MES) and technology company i-Phyc - will...
How ballasted clarification is transforming phosphorus removal
Water companies are investing a record £6 billion in nutrient removal schemes during AMP8 (2025–2030) — around double the spend of PR19. This funding will enable phosphorus reduction at roughly 900 sites, helping utilities meet tightening environmental consents and...
Combined tertiary Nitrogen and Phosphorus removal, a case study
By Kathleen Moons, Eric Leenaerts (Aquafin), Hans Wouters (Brightwork)
Drivers for nutrient removal
Removing nutrients (N and P) from wastewater is essential for several environmental, economic, and public health reasons. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels can lead to eutrophication in rivers,...
Exploring ballasted clarification for phosphorous removal
With phosphorous reduction required at more than 800 wastewater treatment works over the next five years, Duncan Wildgoose, BDM head of wastewater & water treatment, Xylem UK, discusses ballasted clarification, one of the solutions achieving very low levels.
The 2025-2030...
Water company achieves sustainable phosphorus removal with Veolia Water Technologies’ Hydrex™ Coagulant
In a UK first, a major water company has trialled Veolia Water Technologies’ innovative plant-based coagulant, Hydrex™ 62925, for phosphorus removal at one of its wastewater treatment works (WwTW) and is now exploring opportunities for wider roll-out.
The use of...
Wessex Water unveils wetlands plan for protected site
A £5 million project is being proposed to protect one of England’s most important landscapes.
Wessex Water, along with partner YTL Construction, will use natural methods to reduce harmful nutrients found in river water.
The ambitious proposals will create new wetland...
Phosphorus reduction technology successfully trialled by United Utilities
Water-efficient, low-energy, phosphorus reduction technology has enabled United Utilities to deliver tightened phosphorus removal consents at one of its wastewater treatment works.
Water companies in England and Wales are experiencing ongoing challenges in meeting new and expected phosphorus permits, some...
Technology options for AMP8 phosphorous challenge
By Duncan Wildgoose, Business Development Manager - Head of wastewater at Xylem UK
Ever tightening phosphorus removal standards are driving development and investment in advanced treatment systems, says Duncan Wildgoose, business development manager - head of wastewater at Xylem UK.
Over...
Innovative Phosphorus Removal Biotechnology revolutionising wastewater treatment
By Professor Ana Soares, Professor of Biotechnology Engineering at Cranfield University
In the domain of wastewater treatment, it’s remarkable to note that England and Wales have poured an eye-watering £8 billion in removing phosphorus, with another 5 billion in the...
Tackling phosphorus pollution in AMP8
To protect the UK’s rivers and lakes, tough new phosphorus limits have been set, but how can these be achieved without going chemical crazy? More flocculant chemicals are simply NOT the answer – so what’s the alternative?
The arrival of...
Reduce capex and carbon emissions with Hach’s phosphorus real time control system
Historical plant performance need not reflect what is achievable with existing assets and advanced control.
Hach® understands the challenges that water companies and their partners face during the AMP7 period and beyond. The costs of achieving Water Industry National Environmental...
HOW TO: Monitor and manage phosporus levels
Phosphorus, originating from sources like minerals, detergents, and agricultural runoff, poses environmental challenges due to its role as a plant nutrient. While essential for biological sewage treatment, excessive phosphorus can lead to eutrophication and harm aquatic ecosystems. Effective phosphorus...
Veolia Water Technologies delivers for twin wastewater facilities
Veolia Water Technologies’ Actiflo® clarification units have been successfully implemented at two wastewater treatment facilities in the South East of England. During a trial period, Actiflo® delivered phosphorus (P) discharge levels as low as 0.03mg/l – exceeding the client’s...
How does Magmex benefit acidic wastewater treatment
Many industrial manufacturing processes will result in the production of acidic waste streams. Where these undergo on site treatment, they are likely to require neutralisation before discharge, in order to comply with a discharge consent. Many of these on...
How South African biological ‘bugs’ transformed sewage waste treatment
As Severn Trent marks its 50th anniversary, the company has been looking back at some of its major engineering innovations.
At the turn of the century, with the millennium bug the hottest topic of conversation, Severn Trent was investigating a...
Phosphorus removal calls for smart solutions
By Dr. Mikael Khan and Paul Pickard
UK waterways face a persistent threat: nutrient pollution. As water companies gear up for AMP8, finding sustainable, cost-effective phosphorus removal solutions is crucial.
The health of UK watercourses has been deteriorating over the last...
Phosphorus removal from wastewater
By Dr Aderlanio da Silva Cardoso and Kevin Sheeran, of Aqua Enviro.
Phosphorus is an extremely important non-renewable element and critical raw material used in different industries and as fertiliser in agriculture.
High quantities of phosphorus applied in these anthropogenic practices...
NUTREM® technology for Phosphorus & Nitrogen Removal – ground-breaking technology from Plantwork Systems
With Net Zero pressures intensifying and discharge targets coming under further scrutinization, we are all looking for ways to clean up. Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) is clearly the answer but many of the water companies have found implementation to...
Soneco® – Practicable & Environmentally friendly P-removal at Medium and Small WwTW
The Power & Water Soneco® process is a unique, patented, electrocoagulation system for the removal of Phosphorus from wastewater discharges. The technology represents an affordable, simple, robust, sustainable and safe alternative to the use of liquid chemicals.
The Water Industry...
Future proofing phosphorus management
In the run-up to the next Asset Management Period, ensuring the implementation of solutions for the management and removal of phosphorus has never been more pertinent. Here, Matt Langdon from Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) looks at the...
Low energy reverse osmosis could help unlock 18,000 new homes
After the successful trial of Salinity Solution’s ultra-efficient RO technology at Wessex Water’s Fivehead Water Recycling Centre, Somerset Council has submitted a bid to the Government’s Nutrient Mitigation Funds hoping to secure £10.5m funding.
As has been hotly discussed, to...
Setting the bar in fluid technology
Phosphorus is often regarded as a dual-natured element - acting both as a vital nutrient and a potential threat.
Every being relies on phosphorus for development, and it plays a critical role in agriculture with fertilisers and animal feed. Despite...
Reduce capex and carbon emissions with Hach’s phosphorus real time control system
Historical plant performance need not reflect what is achievable with existing assets and advanced control.
Hach® understands the challenges that water companies and their partners face during the AMP7 period and beyond. The costs of achieving Water Industry National Environmental...
Determination of ortho- and total phosphate phosphorus in water
The abundance of phosphorus compounds in wastewater is problematic. Elemental phosphorus is highly reactive and thus binds easily to oxygen, forming phosphates (orthophosphates o-PO4, polyphosphates, and organic phosphates).
Phosphates in water sources can come from minerals, detergents, agricultural (fertilizer) runoff,...
