Infrastructure, Networks & Equipment

    Industrial WWTP Companies

    Industrial wastewater plant builders handling complex effluent from manufacturing, mining, energy, and chemical sites.

    183 providers

    This page is a good fit if you need:

    • Filtration or Ion Exchange capabilities
    • Suppliers with utilities sector experience
    • Providers operating in United Kingdom or Netherlands
    Providers
    183
    Verified
    6
    Countries
    28

    Can't find the right fit? Post a brief and let qualified suppliers come to you.

    Post a project

    Find a Industrial WWTP Provider

    Showing 101-120 of 183

    183 results from 183 matched providers

    Kent Stainless Ltd logo

    Kent Stainless Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Solids Technology International was established in 1979 in Dublin, Ireland to develop high-performance belt filter dewatering equipment and innovative solutions for the water and wastewater industry. In 2002 the company was taken over by Kent Stainless. The manufacturing facility includes 3D laser cutting, CNC sheet, electro-polishing and bead blasting finishing plants. Employing over 100 people and resources including over 50 people with mechanical or electrical trades and over 20 design engineers working utilising 3D design packages gives Solids Technology the capability to supply turnkey thickening, dewatering and poly preparation solutions. Today there are over 800 Solids Technology belt filter systems worldwide and are one of the leaders within the marketplace for Stainless steel, fully enclosed, automated high-performance dewatering and thickening system. Our product range includes: Filter Belt Presses, Gravity Belt Thickeners, Poly Preparation Systems.

    Treatment Process Technologies
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Stonbury logo

    Stonbury

    United Kingdom

    Stonbury is an agile, direct delivery specialist contractor to both the water industry and wider water environment, with an emphasis on delivering innovative, low carbon and high-quality reliable solutions. Currently holding over 30 Frameworks, we work with most of the UK’s water companies and the EA – either directly or through their major supply chains – to deliver high value, low carbon solutions across their asset estates. This includes works on potable water, wastewater treatment centres and nature-based ‘green’ and ‘grey’ solutions that deliver smart, low carbon environmental engineering. In recognition of the intensified global focus on the effects of carbon emissions and their impact on the climate and biodiversity we have reassessed our Purpose, Vision and Strategic Goals, putting sustainability at the heart of our culture and everything we do.

    Networks - Sewerage
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Water Engineering Services Ltd logo

    Water Engineering Services Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Water Engineering Services Ltd is tailored to provide a full turnkey solution to fulfil clients’ needs.   The team brings extensive knowledge of working within the wider water industry and other similar industries e.g. commercial, industrial, petrochemical and pharmaceutical. We recognise the benefits and challenges incorporating innovation into a project noting innovation can be new technology or working methodology. With our experiences working outside the Water Industry and with a wide range of Delivery Partners, WES Ltd look to bring innovation and best practices into all their projects to ensure the best project completion is achieved for all parties. WES Ltd considers Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) methodologies during the Design phase on all projects and having the Fabrication arm of the business allows for DfMA concepts to be realised, as well as providing bespoke solutions for end clients or other suppliers. Water Engineering Services consists of 3 in house areas of business: DESIGN: Our in-house design department specialises in mechanical & electrical designs but has very strong ties with Delivery Partners to also offer structural, civil, hydraulic and system integration. Our design team cover all aspects of a project from feasibility studies and optioneering to fabrication and construction drawings. ON-SITE INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING: Our WES Ltd installation team, constructs, commissions, and optimises a project regardless of scale and complexity. This is achieved by utilising the experienced in-house mechanical & electrical team or managing a Delivery Partner or specialist contractor. Our Project Managers, Site Managers/ Supervisors, Design and CAD Engineers, Commissioning Engineers, Electrical and mechanical Site operatives all have up to date industry competency training and certification. All our electrical work will be fully tested CompEX and NICEIC certified. FABRICATION: With our 15,000 square foot workshop, offering stainless and mild steel fabrication to BSEN 1090 Execution class 2 and WRAS approval. ACCREDITATIONS WES Ltd is accredited with: ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems) EN 1090 Ex Class 2 SafeContractor SafePQQ-PAS91 CHAS CHAS Advanced-PAS91 Achilles UVDB Silver + ISO 26000 (working towards) WES Ltd internal systems also conform to ISO 19650 (Information Management – BIM) and allow for integration into a client’s internal system e.g., ProjectWise.

    Networks - Water Supply
    Contractors
    3rd Light Media Ltd logo

    3rd Light Media Ltd

    United Kingdom

    3rd Light Media provide technical documentation and design services for water and wastewater projects, both in the UK and internationally. We provide a range of documentation for projects, helping clients achieve their handover requirements and producing high quality documents which provide the end users with the information they need to operate and maintain the plants. We are a market leader in driving digital innovative solutions to our clients to ensure documentation is presented in new and dynamic ways, this includes development of web-based O&M manuals which can integrate with client I.T. systems such as SharePoint; Graphical design to enable data and documentation of assets on a site plan or P&ID to be available within just a few clicks of a button. Additionally, we have developed a QR coded asset tagging system and mobile App. Our services mean we can provide our clients with a single source for all handover documentation requirements. The services we can provide include: Operating and Maintenance Manuals (O&Ms) Site Operating Manual (SOM) Health & Safety Files Asset Data Registration Training Manuals Site Drawings (P&IDs, Process Flows, Site Layouts and Plans, GA’s, Single Line Diagrams and more) AutoCAD Drafting Services Additionally, we also provide a range of onsite services to further enhance being a one stop provider for all your project handover needs. Some of the onsite services we provide include: Asset Identification Tags (to meet all individual client specifications) Pipe Banding to BS1710 Site signage and labelling We also provide a range of design and pre-construction services, with experience when working with Tier 1 contractors at ECI / Outline Design stages of projects including: Functional Design Specifications Control Philosophies Factory Acceptance & Site Acceptance Tests for Software Testing Commissioning Plans and Sequencing Asset Condition Reports Verification Survey Works (Producing P&IDs, ICA and Electrical Design Proposals) We work as an integrated team with both contractors and clients to ensure all aspects of project handover are achieved to the highest standard. We are able to do this with our vast knowledge of individual water companies asset standards and specifications. We are also experienced in using portals such as TWEXnet, Asite, Aconex, Business Collaborator and Conject for uploading documents. Our team comprises of skilled and experienced site and process engineers with a vast knowledge of both water and wastewater treatment systems. Our team of engineers all hold EUSR Water Hygiene and CSCS cards as well as water company specific requirements such as the Thames Water Safety Passport. We also have an in-house graphic design team providing professionally drawn illustrations and drawings which are used within our documentation, helping to visualise written descriptions and processes. Our philosophy is to take the burden of producing documentation on projects away from our clients. Being skilled process engineers, we will visit sites to gather information and we work with your supply chain to coordinate the availability of all required documents and drawings, ensuring compliance with the end clients standards. We write all the technical content and detail to the highest standard, supported by expertly drawn diagrams and illustrations. Some of the water companies we have worked with include: Thames Water Affinity Water Yorkshire Water Southern Water Severn Trent South East Water United Utilities Welsh Water Bristol Water Essex & Suffolk Water Irish Water Haya Water We work both directly with water companies and Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors. We work on projects of all sizes, from minor schemes to major £100+ million projects.

    Treatment Works Products/Services
    Accreditations
    A-Consult Ltd logo

    A-Consult Ltd

    United Kingdom

    A-Consult specialise in providing solutions for the storage and handling of liquids in the agricultural, water industries and industrial sectors. Established in 1986 we have successfully constructed over 10,000 tanks throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Aqua-Tank provides a safe, cost effective method of containment with numerous applications within the water, waste and industrial sectors. Guaranteed factory-controlled quality combined with a robust structure along with tried and tested design principles, offer life expectancy previously only achieved with cast in situ installations. A-Consult are the market leaders in the design, manufacture and installation of precast concrete storage tanks. SETTLEMENT TANKS Settlement tanks can be supplied with either an integrated concrete coping top which supports the travel of either a full or half bridge scraper. Tank sizes range from 4.0m diameter to greater than 50.0m, designed to allow backfilling, enabling access to M&E equipment such as scraper bridge, motor and travelling wheels. Incorporating the patented EPDM jointing seals, the post tensioned settlement tanks can be designed to accommodate pipe work entries through the precast wall panels. Design and constructed to BS8110 and BS8007 and compliant to all relevant Euro Codes. FILTER TANKS The A-Consult tank system has been used to construct many types of filter tanks. The tanks can be designed as water retaining structures if necessary, with letter box opens to facilitate the trickling filtration systems. PROCESS TANKS In such a volume related sector the A-Consult precast concrete tank system offers extensive flexibility in both tank diameters and wall heights. Diameters start at 4m and increase in increments of approximately 350mm, wall heights start at 2m and increase in increments of 100mm topping out at 12m. STORAGE TANKS A-Consult tanks have been used for the storage of many different materials on both wastewater treatment plants along with sewage treatment plants. All materials used in the construction of our tanks are DWI or WRAS approved allowing the storage of potable water. LEACHATE TANKS With a 50-year design life the A-Consult precast concrete tank system offers a cost effective and robust solution to many process and storage applications.

    Networks - Water Supply
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    AJ Engineering & Construction Services Ltd logo

    AJ Engineering & Construction Services Ltd

    United Kingdom

    AJ Engineering & Construction Services Ltd provide a wide spectrum of engineering services ranging from steel fabrication and CNC machining to cladding and civil engineering, with our highly experienced team we provide on-time, on-budget quality solutions. From our bases in Forres and Fort William, and a team accustomed to travel we can meet our client’s needs wherever required. Having worked on various water and wastewater treatment projects for the past 25 years we have developed a great working relationship with water companies across the UK. Our in-house capabilities allow us to offer a turnkey service to our clients from reactive maintenance and manufacturing to planned infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. Many of the projects we undertake in the water sector are within water treatment and wastewater treatment plants where cleanliness is paramount, all our water sector site teams hold certification and Water Hygiene cards. Our range of services collated into one means that we can take on multiple discipline contracts and deliver them as one which provides our clients with a number of advantages. It removes the need to have multiple contractors on site at once. Benefits in cost savings passed down on procuring large amounts of steel for a side wide project. Little risk of dimensional discrepancies between contractors We work alongside framework delivery partners throughout the UK providing the services below; Steel portal frame buildings (design, fabrication, erection & cladding) Design, manufacture and installation of pipe bridges Design, manufacture and installation of site wide access metalwork (walkways, access stairs, ladders etc) Design, manufacture and installation of modular water buildings transportable by road. Design of various process tanks, pipework and pumps. Fabrication of tanks and pipework (stainless and carbon) Mechanical Installation Modular Treatment Buildings and Mechanical Fit-out SR2 rated steel enclosures (quicker than GRP Kiosks) We appreciate how important quality and cleanliness is in the water sector and we are proud that we have completely segregated facilities for stainless steel and carbon steel. In addition to this we are also approved under the regulations 31(4)(A) of the water supply regulations 2016 to supply stainless steel and pipework fabrications to the drinking water sector.

    Networks - Sewerage
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Alpha Plus Ltd logo

    Alpha Plus Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Founded in 1987 Alpha Plus Limited have been providing quality pipework, fabrication and installation of pipework, structures and mechanical plant for the utility, waste management, industrial / commercial and manufacturing sectors. Alpha Plus is committed to providing clients with innovative, cost effective, high quality solutions. We work closely with clients providing design, fabrication and installation to a high quality using approved standards and up to date technologies. We provide a wide range of services with a wealth of experience in the following areas: Pipework. Installation. Structural. Design and project management. Site Maintenance. Alpha Plus has successfully completed numerous contracts, varying in size from £10,000 to £3M+ , usually as lead mechanical installer of varying values in the following areas. Potable Water The installation of new and refurbishment of existing filters (RGF, DAF, GAC & RO), chemical dosing equipment and LP Block/Leopold flooring. Works include manufacture and installation of: Filter internals. Aeration and process pipework. Access steelwork. Launders. Weir plates. Installation of pumps, blowers and associated mechanical packages, trough plates, media and penstocks. Wastewater Installation of various designs of deep beds filters, submerged aeration filters, sequencing batch reactors, digesters, activated sludge plant, tertiary filters, centrifuges, screens, classifiers. Works include manufacture and installation of: Filter internals. Aeration and process pipework. Access steelwork. Launders. Weir plates. Installation of pumps, blowers and associated mechanical packages, trough plates, media and penstocks. Waste to Energy/Power Generation Installation of biogas CHP systems, waste incineration plants, electrostatic precipitator installations, gas scrubber installations, digester heating/circulation and internals. Works include manufacture and installation of: High pressure super heated/saturated and low pressure steam. Natural gas. Fuel oil. Compressed/instrument air. Chemical dosing pipework. Access and support structures. Pipe bridges. Large bore ducting up to 2000mm (mild steel and stainless). Ash transfer systems. GRP acid/alkaline pipework. Installation of pumps, driers, scrubber vessels, tanks and associated mechanical packages.

    Mapping & Modelling
    Accreditations
    Anua Clean Air UK logo

    Anua Clean Air UK

    United Kingdom

    Anua Clean Air UK offers proven, patented clean air bio-technologies, which provide best-in-class process performance with the lowest utility and life cycle costs. Anua Clean Air manufactures and installs Mónafil™, Mónashell™ and Mónasorb™ systems. These are patented proven systems for the treatment of municipal and industrial odour and VOC air emissions. We have tested and proven installations right across the globe with proven capabilities in air purification and odour abatement in a wide variety of sectors including: Wastewater Treatment Industry | Food/Agri Industry | Municipal Solid Waste | Pharmaceutical/Petro Chemical/Printing‭ & ‬Coating/Other Industries.‬‬‬‬ Mónafil™ Control of hydrogen sulfide and VOCs is a concern in many wastewater treatment, composting and industrial plants. Hydrogen sulfide, and many VOC’s, create odours, are corrosive, cause air pollution and are detrimental to health. Mónafil™ is a patented biofiltration system that uses special media as a capture and support medium offering excellent removal efficiencies for odours, VOC’s, sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds. The properties of the manufactured granular high-density peat media have proven to be a key factor in achieving high performance removal and media life up to 10 years. Mónafil™ has been successfully used in odour control applications for more than 20 years. Mónashell™ The Mónashell™ biofiltration system is a proven and cost-effective alternative to chemical scrubbing or carbon adsorption, designed like a biotrickling system yet incorporating many benefits of traditional biofilters. The shell-based media is sustainable and renewable with the ability to maintain a neutral pH within the biofilter. This ensures optimal odour performance across a broad range of odour producing compounds, while simplifying operation and enhancing system reliability. Control of odour-causing compounds emitted from wastewater and industrial treatment processes has become a growing area of concern. As populations grow and housing encroaches on once-remote treatment facilities, the importance of effective, yet simple odour control technology will continue to increase. In addition, odourous compounds can be corrosive to equipment requiring ventilation to extend equipment life and reduce capital replacement expenditure. Mónasorb™ Control of hydrogen sulfide and VOCs is a concern in many wastewater treatment, composting and industrial plants. Hydrogen sulfide, and many VOC’s, create odours, are corrosive, cause air pollution and are detrimental to health. Mónasorb™ is a range of Carbon Filter systems that uses activated carbon, impregnated carbon as a capture and support medium, offering excellent removal efficiencies for odours, VOC’s, sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds. Our carbon units may be used as a standalone filter or as a polishing filter for a Mónashell™ OCU’s for even greater levels of treatment.

    Aquability OPS Ltd logo

    Aquability OPS Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Aquability OPS Ltd was established in 2015 and is a leading technical consultancy providing optimised process solutions in the wastewater treatment industry. We are trusted partners of water companies, contractors and consultants and a member of British Water - the trade body representing the supply chain to government and the water companies. Director, Nicola Henderson is a chartered Chemical Engineer with over 27 years experience in the water industry and is one of the UK’s leading SBR experts. She is well known in the industry and previous tenures include Director of British Water and Chairman of British Water’s Technical Forum and Municipal Group. After graduating from Bath University in 1990 with a degree in Chemical & Bio Process Engineering, Nicola started her career in wastewater treatment at British Steel, responsible for the operation of their water and wastewater treatment systems. She then spent 24 years working in the design and build arena where she gained widespread experience in the water industry across a number of fields. Aquability OPS draw on Nicola’s extensive experience to offer technical expertise and bid support in both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. We combine a mix of technical knowledge and practical application, providing comprehensive, tailored services across four areas to provide: Process expertise to solve our clients’ wastewater treatment challenges. Leading SBR expertise to ensure your SBR plant is a success. Commissioning and operational support for effective commissioning and trouble free operation. Bid support to develop innovative cost effective solutions, focused and persuasive bid writing and creative, engaging presentations. Our services help our customers to win work, build knowledge, reduce delivery and operating costs and avoid compliance issues. Our goal is to deliver successful outcomes for our Clients and develop trusting and long lasting relationships.

    Designers
    Concrete Repairs Ltd logo

    Concrete Repairs Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) is a specialist asset maintenance contractor who is here to help you with the inspection, repair & refurbishment of your concrete water assets. CRL provide comprehensive repair and refurbishment services tailored to the needs of the water and wastewater sector throughout the UK. These include the inspection, repair, refurbishment and upgrading of service reservoirs, contact tanks, water towers & wastewater treatment plants. With over 65 years of experience, CRL understands the importance of maintaining water quality and supply to customers. Therefore, when planning repairs, we prioritise effective programming of the work and optimal utilization of the assets being repaired. Our choice of repair methodologies and materials always reflects this commitment. At CRL, we pride ourselves on being a reliable partner to the water companies. We collaborate closely with them to identify problems early, quantify the necessary repairs, and establish a timeline for refurbishment. Throughout this process, we focus on ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of the assets. CRL provide proven and successful cost-effective repair and refurbishment options which meet our clients’ objectives of upgrading and increasing the life of their structures. CRL is capable of undertaking individual projects of up to £20M, either under competitive tender, or through Partnering/Framework arrangements. Our broad experience across various sectors ensures we deliver efficient, robust, and technically advanced services.

    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Sewer Inspections
    Evergreen Water Solutions logo

    Evergreen Water Solutions

    United Kingdom

    A leading supplier of progressive wastewater treatment systems Evergreen Water Solutions works closely with a number of international engineering companies whose expertise are in scalable wastewater treatment systems and containerised wastewater treatment systems for municipal and industrial application. Evergreen Water Solutions offers a comprehensive engineering service. Our company incorporates initial design and planning, to implementation of projects that are delivered on time and on budget. Our expertise in wastewater treatment covers infrastructure development, package sewage treatment systems and advanced treatment technology for wastewater recycling with the strictest treatment requirements. The goal of Evergreen Water Solutions is to exceed the expectations of our clients, foster long-term relationships, and make a positive impact on the environment and industry standards. Evergreen Water Solutions use innovative products and suppliers to source, design and implement leading environmental water and wastewater treatment products and solutions. All new equipment and suppliers are required to undergo pre-qualification program and a series of acceptances and trials are applied prior to the approval of the vendor. Evergreen Water Solutions’ pre-qualification program guarantees you our clients that the products we source are of the highest standard within the industry, these products along with the expertise within Evergreen Water Solutions ensures that the solution we provide will meet and exceed any expectation you might have.

    Treatment Works Products/Services
    Contractors
    JK Fabrications Ltd logo

    JK Fabrications Ltd

    United Kingdom

    With over 30 years of experience delivering expertise in the industry, JK Fabrications Ltd has become one of the front runners and will keep challenging ourselves and others to improve our Environment as we believe that; Our Environment, is our Future. At JK Fabrications, we are an engineering company that takes pride in our family roots, with an aim to continue to successfully grow our business. Our company values are incorporated into everything we carry out and we seek to work with like-minded companies. Established in 1998, JK Fabrications specialises in efficent, effective, and environmentally sensitive solutions to the Water Treatment, Waste Water, Waste to Energy, and Pharmaceuticals Industry. With over 30 years of experience delivering expertise in the industry, JK Fabrications has become one of the front runners and will keep challenging ourselves and others to improve our Environment as we believe that ‘Our Environment, is our Future’. With the ease of access to Northern Ireland’s principal motorway network and equal distance between both Belfast Airports and Dublin Airport, JK Fabrications’ 50,000 Sq/ft premises in Newry are the perfect location to produce and deliver your project. Design We have a fully equipped in-house design team with over 65 years of combined technical, manufacturing, and sector-specific experience, that are highly skilled and trained using the very latest design software. Manufacture We have built our reputation by producing specialised products for the waste-to-energy, wastewater, water treatment, and pharmaceutical industries. Our experienced welders and fabricators along with our state-of-the-art machinery make sure that each project is carried out to a high standard. Install We have an experienced installation team with a dedicated core team of engineers, mechanical fitters, and coded welders who have over 30 years of experience in the supply and installation of our fabricated products for a wide range of projects throughout the UK and Ireland. Commission Our experienced commissioning engineers will attend the site to oversee the installation of systems, plants, and equipment. They will commission, test, and optimise the equipment as well as provide the operators with operation and maintenance manuals. Products include: Stainless Steel Pipework | Stainless Steel Vessels (inc Pressure Vessels) | Mild Steel Pipework | Lamellas | Picket Fence Thickeners | Rectangular Bridge Scrapers | Half Bridge Scrapers | Conical Settlement Tanks

    Pipeline & Pipework Products
    Accreditations
    KEE Process logo

    KEE Process

    United Kingdom

    Started in 1955, KEE design, manufacture, supply, install, commission and service off mains drainage products, including pumps and pumping equipment, septic tanks and sewage treatment plant products. KEE also offer full evaluation and design through their nationwide servicing team, offering fully integrated plant operation, an out-of-hours call centre, treatment plant refurbishment, upgrades and plant hire. KEE’s expertise in design, manufacture, servicing, refurbishment, maintenance and operation of equipment for all types of wastewater treatment plants is backed by over 65 years of experience and over 350,000 installations worldwide. KEE provide quality engineered wastewater treatment solutions priced to offer value for money. Continuing investment in R&D ensures that the products and services supplied by KEE incorporate the latest technology to protect the environment. TREATMENT SOLUTIONS & SERVICES Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) Wastewater Treatment Systems KEE NuDisc® & NuDisc-R® single piece packaged RBC treatment plants capable of treating populations up to 1,000 in a single packaged plant. Modular packaged DC/DN RBC treatment systems. Large diameter RBCs for site erection. Submerged Aerated Filters Modular packaged and single piece KEE NuFlow treatment systems for domestic applications up to 50 PE. Activated Sludge Systems Extended aeration (EA), sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and oxidation ditch. Anaerobic Reactor Industrial wastewater treatment. Settlement Tanks and Packaged Pumping Stations Primary or final settlement tanks. Dispersed Air Flotation Systems (DAF) KEE Microfloat® Fine Bubble Aeration Systems KEE Aspirator Aerators. KEE Triton Aerator/Mixer. The Biological Solution to Fat, Oil and Grease KEE Bio-Guard – The Grease Digester. Parts and Service Service, Maintenance and Operation. Replacement Parts and Associated Products. Plant Hire. Emergency Service KEE Emergency Call Centre for Managed Contracts.

    Treatment Works Products/Services
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation

    Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant Design: Load Characterisation, Process Selection, and Discharge Compliance

    Industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP) design begins with comprehensive effluent characterisation: flow measurement (instantaneous, average, peak hour, and total daily), BOD5 and COD (including COD:BOD ratio indicating biodegradability - below 2 indicates readily biodegradable, 2 to 5 is moderately biodegradable, above 5 indicates recalcitrant compounds), suspended solids, nutrients (TN, TP), pH range (typically 4 to 11 for industrial), and specific contaminants (heavy metals, hydrocarbons, solvents, priority substances). Design flow for plant sizing is typically 1.5 to 2.0 times average daily flow for biological processes and 2.5 to 3.0 times average daily flow for physical-chemical processes to accommodate peak hydraulic loads without process upset.

    Process selection follows contaminant type. High-BOD organic wastewater (food and beverage, pulp and paper, brewing): aerobic activated sludge (conventional or sequencing batch reactor, SBR) or anaerobic digestion at above 2,000 mg per L COD for energy recovery. High-nitrogen effluents (fertiliser, food processing): nitrification-denitrification with anoxic zones (Modified Ludzack-Ettinger, 4-stage Bardenpho). Heavy metals: chemical precipitation at optimum pH, coagulation-flocculation, and sludge dewatering. High TDS brines: ZLD by crystalliser or evaporation. Hydrocarbon-contaminated: air flotation (DAF at 30 to 50 microns bubble size) for oil removal plus biological treatment for dissolved fraction. MBBR and MBR are increasingly preferred for brownfield retrofit where footprint is constrained.

    Regulatory compliance is driven by discharge consent conditions: direct discharge to surface water (permit from Environment Agency in UK, state NPDES permit in US) specifies limits for BOD, SS, COD, ammonia, pH, and sector-specific pollutants. Discharge to sewer (trade effluent consent from water company or industrial pretreatment permit in US) specifies limits upstream of the municipal WWTP. Non-compliance penalties: Environment Agency prosecutions lead to fines of $10,000 to $1M plus remediation costs; US Clean Water Act violations up to $37,500 per day per violation. Environmental management systems (ISO 14001) reduce non-compliance risk by formalising effluent monitoring, permit condition tracking, and process control responses.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What industrial effluent requires its own treatment plant?

    Industries with wastewater that cannot be discharged directly to sewer without pretreatment include: food and beverage (high BOD, typically 1,000 to 10,000 mg per L vs 250 to 500 mg per L sewer limit); electroplating (heavy metals and cyanide, above trade effluent consent limits); pharmaceutical (active pharmaceutical ingredients, solvents); petrochemical (hydrocarbons, TPH); tanneries (chromium, high TDS); semiconductor (metals, fluoride, IPA); and landfill (high COD, ammonia, variable heavy metals). Most water companies set trade effluent consent limits triggering pre-treatment: BOD above 500 mg per L, SS above 500 mg per L, pH outside 6 to 10, specific substances (chromium, cyanide, mercury) above agreed limits. Failure to treat before discharge is an environmental offence under Water Industry Act 1991 in the UK.

    What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment?

    Aerobic treatment (activated sludge, biofilm systems) uses oxygen-consuming bacteria to oxidise organic compounds to CO2, water, and new biomass. Achieves BOD removal above 95 percent, producing sludge at 0.3 to 0.5 kg dry solids per kg BOD removed. Requires continuous aeration (energy 0.5 to 1.5 kWh per kg BOD at 2 to 4 mg per L dissolved oxygen). Anaerobic treatment (UASB, EGSB, anaerobic lagoon) degrades organics without oxygen, producing biogas (60 to 70 percent methane, energy value 22 MJ per m3) and much less sludge (0.05 to 0.10 kg DS per kg COD). Economic for COD above 2,000 mg per L where biogas revenue offsets capital cost. Anaerobic is cost-effective at large scale and high-strength waste; aerobic follows as a polishing step to achieve discharge standards (aerobic effluent BOD below 20 mg per L vs anaerobic effluent BOD 100 to 500 mg per L).

    How do you meet zero liquid discharge for industrial wastewater?

    Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) eliminates all liquid effluent from a facility, recovering water for reuse and concentrating dissolved solids to a solid or paste. The treatment train: (1) Conventional pretreatment (coagulation, biological treatment) to remove organics and suspended solids; (2) Reverse osmosis to recover 70 to 80 percent of water at low energy cost (3 to 6 kWh per m3); (3) Brine concentration by High-Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (HERO, pH 10 to 11 to prevent scaling) or Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) evaporator to 15 to 20 percent TDS (energy 10 to 20 kWh per m3 of water recovered); (4) Crystalliser to produce dry salts for disposal or sale (energy 50 to 80 kWh per m3 of final brine). ZLD capital cost is $2M to $50M for 1,000 to 10,000 m3 per day; applicable where discharge prohibition, water scarcity, or salt value (lithium, sodium sulphate) justifies the capital and operating cost.

    How is industrial wastewater sludge managed?

    Industrial wastewater sludge composition and quantity depend on the treatment process: chemical precipitation sludge contains metal hydroxides (heavy metals, up to 25 percent dry solids metal content) and must be characterised as hazardous if TCLP metals exceed thresholds. Biological sludge from activated sludge contains 60 to 80 percent volatile solids and 1 to 3 percent total solids in secondary clarifier underflow. Sludge handling sequence: thickening (gravity belt or drum thickener, from 0.5 to 3 to 4 to 6 percent DS), dewatering (belt press to 15 to 25 percent DS, screw press to 20 to 30 percent DS, centrifuge to 20 to 35 percent DS), and disposal (landfill for hazardous, anaerobic digestion then land application for non-hazardous biological sludge, incineration for pharmaceutical or contaminated sludge). Disposal cost: industrial hazardous sludge $200 to $600 per tonne, non-hazardous $50 to $150 per tonne.

    Case Study·Pharmaceutical manufacturing
    Challenge

    A pharmaceutical API manufacturer in the East Midlands discharged a mixed effluent stream (6,000 mg per L COD, pH 4 to 9 swing, trace solvents including acetonitrile and THF) under a water company trade effluent consent with a COD limit of 500 mg per L. Solvent spikes caused consent breaches and the water company had issued a formal notice under Water Industry Act 1991 Section 125.

    Approach

    Installed a two-stage treatment plant: neutralisation tank with automated pH dosing followed by UASB reactor achieving 70 percent COD removal, then a 4-stage Bardenpho activated sludge system for polishing to below 200 mg per L COD. Solvent segregation and batch neutralisation upstream eliminated pH swings. Solvent recovery by distillation was installed on high-strength solvent streams to reduce load to the IWTP.

    Outcome

    Effluent COD consistently below 300 mg per L over 24 months of operation. No consent breaches in the period following commissioning. Biogas from the UASB (280 m3 per day at 65 percent methane) was captured and used in the site boiler, displacing 3,500 GBP per month of natural gas. Sludge production from biological treatment was 60 percent lower than a fully aerobic alternative due to the anaerobic pre-stage.

    Questions to Ask Shortlisted Providers

    1. 1

      Have you characterised our effluent across the full range of production campaigns, not just during steady-state, and what is your design basis for peak hydraulic and peak load events?

      Industrial effluent variability is the single biggest source of IWTP underperformance. A plant sized for average conditions will fail during peak production campaigns or solvent changeover events. Ask for the design peak factor (typically 1.5 to 3 times average flow, 2 to 5 times average COD load) and how the plant manages these events without consent breach.

    2. 2

      What is the biodegradability of our specific compounds and does your process design account for any recalcitrant or inhibitory substances?

      Standard biological treatment fails for effluents with COD:BOD above 3 to 4, or for effluents containing compounds toxic to biological treatment such as antibiotics, heavy metals, or chlorinated solvents. If your effluent contains these, biological treatment must be pre-treated or supplemented with advanced oxidation. A designer who quotes biological treatment for a solvent-heavy effluent without toxicity testing is under-scoping the problem.

    3. 3

      What trade effluent consent limits apply to our discharge point, and have you confirmed with the receiving water company that the proposed plant design will consistently meet those limits?

      Trade effluent consents are site-specific and water-company-specific. Some consent limits include time-averaged limits and instantaneous never-to-exceed limits. A plant design should demonstrate, by treatability testing and modelling, that it meets both the average and the worst-case instantaneous limits. Consent breaches attract surcharges or formal notices under Water Industry Act 1991 Section 125 and can lead to supply termination.

    4. 4

      What sludge quantity and classification do you expect, and have you confirmed disposal routes and costs for the specific sludge composition?

      Industrial sludge disposal cost depends heavily on hazardous waste classification. Heavy metal precipitation sludge from electroplating is hazardous waste at 300 to 600 GBP per tonne. Biological sludge from a food-industry IWTP may be non-hazardous at 50 to 100 GBP per tonne. An IWTP design without confirmed sludge disposal route and cost can produce a plant that is technically compliant but economically unviable.

    5. 5

      What online monitoring and automated response does the plant include to detect and prevent consent breaches before effluent leaves site?

      Online COD monitors, TOC analysers, and pH sensors on the effluent channel provide early warning before discharge to sewer. An automated emergency diversion to a holding tank prevents consent breaches during process upsets. Ask specifically whether the plant includes a consent-compliance monitoring system and an automated response to detected limit exceedances.

    What Drives Cost in This Category

    Effluent COD concentration and biodegradability

    Capital cost of an IWTP scales approximately with organic load. A plant treating 100 m3 per day at 1,000 mg per L COD (100 kg COD per day) costs 200,000 to 600,000 GBP. The same flow at 5,000 mg per L COD costs 800,000 to 2,000,000 GBP due to larger reactor volumes, more sludge dewatering capacity, and additional treatment stages. Non-biodegradable COD requiring advanced oxidation adds 50 to 200 percent to capital cost.

    Trade effluent surcharge avoided

    Water companies in the UK charge trade effluent surcharges proportional to the strength and volume of discharge above standard consent strength (Mogden formula). A 100 m3 per day discharge at 2,000 mg per L COD and 500 mg per L SS may attract annual trade effluent charges of 30,000 to 80,000 GBP. An IWTP reducing discharge COD to 200 mg per L and SS to 100 mg per L can reduce trade effluent charges by 70 to 85 percent, with payback of 3 to 7 years on capital investment.

    Sludge disposal cost

    Sludge disposal is typically 20 to 40 percent of IWTP operating cost. Chemical precipitation sludge from electroplating is hazardous waste at 200 to 600 GBP per tonne, contributing 50,000 to 200,000 GBP per year for larger sites. Biological sludge from food industry IWTPs is non-hazardous at 50 to 120 GBP per tonne. Sludge dewatering with a centrifuge or belt press (capital 50,000 to 300,000 GBP) reduces disposal volume by 5 to 10 times.

    Energy cost for biological treatment

    Aerobic biological treatment requires aeration at 0.5 to 2.0 kWh per kg BOD removed. For a 1,000 kg BOD per day IWTP, annual aeration energy costs 50,000 to 200,000 GBP at 0.15 to 0.20 GBP per kWh. Anaerobic pre-treatment at COD above 2,000 mg per L reduces net energy cost by recovering biogas energy and reducing aerobic treatment load by 60 to 80 percent.

    Key Regulations & Standards

    Water Industry Act 1991 -- Trade Effluent Consent

    Under Water Industry Act 1991 Section 118, any non-domestic discharge to the public sewer requires a trade effluent consent from the sewerage undertaker. Consent specifies maximum flow, strength limits (COD, BOD, SS, pH, specific contaminants), and timing restrictions. Discharge without consent or in breach of consent conditions is an offence under WIA 1991 Section 118(5), punishable by fine up to 20,000 GBP per incident in magistrates court or unlimited fine at Crown Court.

    Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 -- Direct Discharge to Surface Water

    Industrial facilities discharging treated effluent directly to surface water require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency under EPR 2016. The permit specifies discharge limits aligned with Water Framework Directive receiving water quality standards. Non-compliance triggers permit review, enforcement notices, and prosecution. Large discharges are subject to WFD objectives for achieving Good Ecological Status, which may require more stringent limits than technology-based standards.

    EU Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (retained in UK)

    The IED applies to large industrial installations above specified capacity thresholds for energy, chemicals, waste management, and intensive agriculture. IED requires application of Best Available Techniques for pollution prevention including wastewater treatment. BAT Conclusions for relevant sectors specify minimum wastewater treatment performance and monitoring requirements. IED installations must comply with Environmental Permit conditions incorporating BAT-based effluent limits.

    COSHH Regulations 2002 -- Hazardous Effluent Handling

    IWTP operators handling industrial wastewater containing hazardous substances (solvents, acids, alkalis, heavy metals) must conduct COSHH assessments for operator exposure risk. Confined space entry into IWTPs requires a confined space permit under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. Chemical storage for treatment reagents (coagulants, acids, anti-scalants) requires risk assessment, appropriate PPE, and emergency spill response procedures per COMAH 2015 where threshold quantities are exceeded.