Biological Nutrient Removal & other innovative sustainable solutions to meet AMP8 Phosphorus & Nitrogen Removal Targets
Robert White
In Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8), spanning 2025–2030, UK water companies face intensified regulatory and environmental pressures to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges. These nutrients significantly contribute to eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms and degraded aquatic ecosystems.
AMP8 is pushing CEOs to make transformative, high-stakes decisions on technology, investment, compliance, people, and reputation. Those who can align environmental performance with innovation, transparency, and resilience will define the next era of UK water management.
PWS has a suite of synergistic, disruptive technologies which offer the wastewater industry superior results at lower cost in an environmentally responsible way.
We have developed product solutions to specifically address the needs of the market and have two clear and specific objectives for our technology:
- Firstly, to improve water quality in a sustainable way;
- Secondly, to achieve cost reductions through efficiencies of power, chemicals and transportation which are the water companies’ three biggest costs.
NUTREM®
Our flagship product is a unique, compact and efficient advanced Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) system offering industry-leading levels of Total Phosphorus (TP) removal, with the added ability to remove Total Nitrogen (TN) in the same tanks, so avoiding significant cost. NUTREM® is also effective in all seasons, with lower capital expenditure and lower operating costs.
TN-REM
An adaptation of the NUTREM® technology focusing specifically on Nitrogen removal to very low levels, of less than 5mg/l.
This has been developed in response to the current Nitrogen Neutrality requirement of under 10mg/l which is likely to be superceded with even tougher targets in the near future.
DE HOXAR SPIRAL SEPARATOR
Very compact gravity settlement device, maximising settled water quality whilst minimising wasted space.
Performs the same task as traditional settlement tanks, but requires as little as 3% of the space. It also has the added advantage of producing thickened sludge which saves the requirement for additional thickening equipment.
STATIC SLUDGE THICKENER
A lightweight and compact sludge thickening device which offers a ground-breaking highly efficient means of gravity settlement, making it possible to achieve considerably thicker sludge, therefore significantly reducing handling and transportation costs and associated environmental benefits.
PURE SBR
Compact and flexible SBR plant capable of scaling to successfully treat a range of wastewater needs. Offering efficient, reliable and robust improvement on continuous flow systems, with proven benefits that make for a greener and simpler solution to a number of different wastewater challenges.
FILTRATION+
‘Plug and play’ filtration unit providing an effective additional treatment step for the reduction of Suspended Solids in final effluent. Easily installed within an existing plant to ensure the final effluent quality remains within consent and can achieve solids removal levels in excess of 70% with no moving parts.
CONVOX®
Innovative system for converting existing activated sewage sludge treatment works to Biological Nutrient Removal. Using CONVOX® we can remove phosphorus without any chemical dosing.
- Expert advice and support on wastewater planning for new developments, including feasibility of achieving imposed discharge consent levels
- Support through the planning process to obtain planning permission for new plants
- Helping to obtain Environment Agency approval for meeting discharge consents
- Supporting developers in public consultations and planning meetings
- Assisting in the design of new plants and integration of new technologies
- Independent technical liaison with the regulators (Environment Agency and Natural England)
Please get in touch for more details.
Telephone – 01420 590400
Article by Robert White, Plantwork Systems Managing Director