Unlocking Land for Development
Robert White
Developers are currently facing two new and significant legal problems relating to wastewater disposal which are delaying construction on new developments near sensitive water bodies in the UK and EU. Plantwork Systems has the solution.
The Problems
Capacity at Local Wastewater Treatment Plants
Lack of capacity in the UK’s wastewater infrastructure is beginning to have a serious impact on new housing and other land development. Developers are facing increasing uncertainty about timescales for connection to existing local sewerage networks, as well as spiralling costs of the upgrades required to the drainage infrastructure and at Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) that are also having to deal with much tougher discharge consent limits. The Federation of Master Builders describes the problem as “a ticking time bomb.”
Nutrient Neutrality
Due to Nitrogen and Phosphorus pollution in the Solent and other water bodies, Natural England and the Environment Agency have introduced a requirement for all new developments to demonstrate ‘Nutrient Neutrality’. This means that developers must ensure that their completed developments result in no additional nutrients being introduced to the environment. This has a prohibitive effect on both discharging to the local sewer network and use of basic onsite ‘package’ treatment as an alternative.
Plantwork Systems can provide a bespoke onsite treatment solution using advanced technology capable of meeting all the new water quality standards.
The Solution
Historically, where capacity is an issue at local WwTW, or cost for sewer connection has been excessively high, a ‘package treatment plant’ solution has been suitable. However, due to the new water quality restrictions, these types of solutions are often too basic and unreliable, with little or no ability to remove pollutant nutrients.
Plantwork Systems can provide a bespoke onsite treatment solution using advanced technology which industry leading levels of total nitrogen and total phosphorus reduction in treated water, capable of meeting all the new water quality standards, and which can consistently achieve low discharge in perpetuity using suitable ‘adoption’ service partners. This enables developments to overcome both issues in a cost-effective and timely manner. It is particularly suitable for developments of over 100 units.
Land take for the Plantwork Systems NUTREM® plant is minimal compared to traditional biological nutrient removal systems. It can fit in a comparatively small footprint, minimising impact on the development and need to compromise on previous site plans.
Plantwork Systems also works with developers and their consultants to obtain the relevant permissions and permits required and our engagement is recommended at an early stage to keep costs and delays to a minimum. Both Natural England and the Environment Agency know and understand NUTREM®’s capabilities.
Benefits of the NUTREM® System
Independent validation in national water industry trials
Reduction in LPA delays, removing potential obstruction to your development
Certainty in time frames and costs, avoiding 5 year Ofwat approval cycles
Potentially reduced cost to house owners
Unobtrusive facility with small footprint, with ability to be predominantly buried or semi-submerged
Virtually odour-free operation
Minimal routine maintenance by ‘adopted’ operator in perpetuity
No chemicals needed.
Fully automated with 24/7 monitoring
The Solution for YOUR Development
Talk to Plantwork Systems today for a ’no obligation’ assessment of the options available to help you gain planning consent for your scheme or development.
Contact
Jamie Ewins
T: 0800 310 2073
M: 07834 682864
E: [email protected]
Article by Robert White, PWS Managing Director