NUTREM® Chemical-free BNR = Zero Environmental Damage

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David deHoxar

2nd September 2025
Plantwork Systems Clean Water River

The results from NUTREM® are achieved completely chemical-free. An important consideration of running a chemical-free NUTREM® reactor is one specific to ground water discharge treatment sites.

Despite mitigation efforts, some chemicals and/or their byproducts can carry over beyond a treatment system. In the case of a ground water effluent site this leads to the leaching and build-up of chemicals within the ground and ground water, potentially reaching a point where mitigation or remediation is required to offset damage caused.

With a NUTREM® system this potential environmental damage is eliminated.

 

Future Proof Levels of Phosphorus Removal 

Our system offers an industry-leading level of Total Phosphorus (TP) removal at 0.25 mg/l , down to 0.1 mg/l, with the addition of tertiary treatment.

These removal levels are well within the compliance limit of the current permit and such results ensure the site against future permit compliance limit refinements.

Furthermore, no large future re-investments and installations would be required if permit requirements should change, which has been the case recently in many catchment areas.

 

Robust Chemical-Free Operation

Chemical-free also benefits the sustainability of the plant, reducing both long term financial and supply chain security issues.

This ensures, that even if chemical supply chain is financially or physically interrupted the NUTREM® system will continue operation without disruption.

 

Reduced H&S Burden

An important factor of zero chemical dosing is the reduced onsite demands which require health and safety measures and the provision of regular chemical dosing.

The freedom from chemical dosing also means the infrastructure required for its storage, deployment and employee protection are not necessary.

This infrastructure comes at an additional expense and often requires constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure proper operation.

With a NUTREM® reactor however, these limitations do not exist.

 

NUTREM® summary of benefits:

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Industry-leading level of Total Phosphorus (TP) removal (below 0.25 mg/l)

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Industry-leading level of Total Nitrogen (TN) removal (below 5 mg/l)

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Ability to meet 0.1mg/l TP with the addition of tertiary filters

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No chemical dosing requirements

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Effective in all seasons (i.e. including weak sewage strengths)

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Lower capital expenditure and operating costs

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Smaller footprint, with resulting cost saving

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Modular and scalable, allowing costs to be spread

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High quality effluent capable of re-use without tertiary treatment

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Virtually odour-free operation

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No corrosive by-products

Article by Dave De Hoxar, Plantwork Systems Chief Engineer