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 Hydrex for the first time at a municipal water treatment site was part of a nationwide project to test alternative methods of phosphorus removal, supported by the regulator Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge.
Phosphorus remains a significant challenge for water companies and is the most common water quality failure issue in England and Wales. In the UK, water companies currently spend around £39 million each year on metal-based chemicals to address phosphorus levels in wastewater. In addition, the stricter standards introduced in Asset Management Period (AMP) 8, which runs from 2025 to 2030 will require further investment and innovation to ensure compliance.
The Water Breakthrough Challenge project sought to evaluate three alternative approaches to phosphorus removal. These were electrocoagulation, natural coagulation and reactive media. A range of different technologies from various providers were explored in lab tests and on-site trials. There was a particular focus on finding a solution for small, rural sites, which require comparatively greater investment in phosphorus removal and face limitations such as the site footprint and logistics as well as the need to minimise the impact on the local community.
As a leading supplier of environmentally conscious and plant-based chemical solutions, Veolia Water Technologies was among the water treatment providers involved in the project, with its Hydrex™ 62925 solution selected for the trial.
Hydrex™ 62925 is a renewable plant-based coagulant produced from tree bark and has been used on a wide range of sites as a cost-effective, greener and more efficient alternative to traditional metal-based coagulants. It is easy to use and does not require caustic soda for pH correction, as is the case with other coagulants. Hydrex™ 62925 also produces up to 50% less sludge compared to other traditional solutions. The sludge produced is also biodegradable to enable more sustainable and less costly disposal options.
Following a successful six-month on-site trial in a test lane at the WwTW, the water company is exploring opportunities to utilise the Hydrex™ solution at selected small rural wastewater treatment facilities across its region. Veolia Water Technologies is now working closely with the client to fast-track the introduction of the product.
Brian Jones, Sales Leader for Wastewater at Veolia Water Technologies said: “Our Hydrex™ range of plant-based products are already used in the food and beverage industry to provide water clarification.
“The trial has demonstrated that introducing a Hydrex™ plant-based coagulant is very effective in settling out suspended solids and colloidal matter from wastewater and this has resulted in significant reductions of excess iron and phosphorus in the final effluent,” commented Brian Jones, Sales Leader for Wastewater at Veolia Water Technologies.
“The water sector is committed to achieving more sustainable treatment processes. This project has allowed our client to gain a better understanding of different approaches to phosphorus removal, the sites where these can have the biggest impact and how a solution such as Hydrex™ can be successfully utilised.”
To find out more about Veolia Water Technologies’ Hydrex™ range, including the plant-based coagulant Hydrex™ 62925, visit www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk.
