By Challenge / Contaminant

    Phosphate Removal Companies

    Phosphorus removal, chemical precipitation, EBPR, sorbents, and recovery technologies for compliance and reuse.

    52 providers

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    FLI Precast Solutions logo

    FLI Precast Solutions

    United Kingdom

    FLI Precast Solutions (formerly FLI Carlow) provide design, engineering and manufacturing services for the off-site manufacture of specialist concrete infrastructure and attenuation systems. Our markets include Water, Wastewater, Energy and Storm Attenuation in the UK & Ireland and bespoke projects globally. SERVICES INCLUDE Design, engineering and manufacturing services for the off-site manufacture of specialist concrete infrastructure and attenuation systems. Design to national and international water industry standards and our semi-precast modular designs make us the industry leader in off-site concrete engineering and manufacture. By early involvement and integrating with our clients’ design teams we can accelerate and improve design optimisation and reduce cost. The value is in the solution, and off-site manufacturing and fabrication leads to higher efficiencies and lower risks and costs. Framework agreements enable us to add more value through collaboration, innovation, economies of scale, supply chain partnering and cost management. Our products and designs are engineered to provide solutions to many challenges facing our clients: water retention, water storage, water conveyancing, water management, water treatment, fire-resistance criteria, chemical resistance parameters, infrastructural products, retaining walls, coastal erosion, decorative walls, to name a few. We are a solutions provider using innovative off-site concrete engineering and our industry leading semi-precast modular designs. The company is part of the FLI Group which is a diversified group of companies providing environmental solutions, services and technologies to private and public sector customers in the UK, France, Ireland and throughout the world. PRODUCTS INCLUDE Service reservoirs Process settlement tanks (PST / HST / FST / etc) Storm & attenuation tanks (network or site based) Process structures (ASP / TSR / GAC / RGF / etc) MCC service foundations Bund wall system Chambers Channel & lids Comms chambers Multi-purpose chambers Bespoke culverts Holding tanks Barriers Demountable fence supports (international airport approved) Ballast blocks Dry flow channelling Foundation bases Blast fence supports

    Precast Concrete
    Concrete Works
    Greenbank Group logo

    Greenbank Group

    United Kingdom

    A specialist engineering company with a global customer base. Greenbank provides a wide range of products and services to companies operating across a number of industries and is now establishing itself in the clean and wastewater sector. For many years the company has utilised the unique properties of volcanic basalt for lining products used in heavy industries such as power generation and minerals extraction. In partnership with Czech firm Eutit, the company has also been pioneering the use of basalt in the renovation and restoration of sewer systems in central European following a series of successful projects in Prague. As a result of devastating floods, the city’s sewer system was extensively rebuilt and upgraded with basalt being used in a number of key locations to provide a new level of security to the system. More than a decade on, the new system continues to perform well and has set a standard that’s now been followed in other European cities. Well suited for the most demanding of applications, thanks to the partnership between Greenbank and Eutit, a wide range of basalt solutions are now available in the UK market. These include products and systems that bring a wide range of benefits to the industry, including: Basalt tiles that can also be used to line existing brickwork, a more cost-effective solution than full replacement, and their reduced drag co-efficient means improved flow – in effect a smaller-diameter pipe or tunnel lined with basalt can carry a higher volume of water than a larger one with traditional brick surfaces. The effective life expectancy of basalt-lined sewer systems is between 100 and 200 years, thanks to their excellent resistance to abrasion and chemical damage – as well as the rigours of high-pressure water jetting that’s often used to clear unwanted blockages. For larger round or ovoid systems, basalt can be used in the lower sections to deal with the wear and tear with concrete upper sections to provide optimum life performance. Alternatively, steel pipes lined with basalt can be produced up to 3000mm diameter producing a lighter therefore lower cost installation option to thick wall concrete. Ease of installation and reduced maintenance costs make basalt ideal for bottom gutters, branch pipes and tubes and slip-resistant elements for walkways, and Greenbank can also supply bespoke-shaped tiles to meet the unique requirements of individual clients. With manufacturing facilities in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, supported by the additional capacity and expertise provided by the latest addition to the group, Franklyn Yates Engineering, Greenbank is well placed to react quickly and efficiently to the needs of new and existing clients.

    Gurney Environmental Ltd logo

    Gurney Environmental Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Gurney Environmental is a well established provider of systems and technologies used in the treatment of water and wastewater. From water supply to water re-use, we have designed and developed innovative, low cost and sustainable systems for the water and wastewater industries. Low CAPEX plus low OPEX equals low TOTEX. True sustainability is the benchmark for success with Gurney. We offer unique water and wastewater treatment systems, equipment and design including zero-to-low energy www and reservoir destratification systems. Our experience and knowledge of the water and wastewater treatment industries has successfully helped a wide variety of clients including major landowners (such as the Crown Estate) and many of the UK’s water utility companies. Our systems are today recognised internationally with a growing number of foreign municipals. Gurney has a total commitment to quality. Our systems and solutions represent the finest in long-term value, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on equipment with sturdy construction and fewer moving parts. Our commitment to a low total life cost is a key part of a commitment to quality.

    Treatment Process Technologies
    Hydro International logo

    Hydro International

    United Kingdom

    Hydro International, a CRH company,  provides advanced products, services and expertise to help municipal, industrial and construction customers to improve their water management processes, increase operational performance and reduce environmental impact. Hydro International can help water companies meet their AMP and environmental obligations, including the reduction of sewer overflows and the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). Hydro International provides total solutions for Inlet Works, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), Stormwater Management, Flood Warning and Prevention, and Water Resource management, from design to supply and installation through to ongoing preventative maintenance, servicing and emergency repair.  These solutions include: Hydrometric data collection, monitoring analysis and reporting for river level, reservoir, network and weather. Continuous water quality monitoring for compliance with Section 82 of the Environment Act. Water resource analysis and consultancy. Stormwater management solutions, including options for Sustainable Drainage Systems. (SuDS) and Smart Maintenance. CSO event duration monitoring. CSO and storm tank treatment and screening. Passive flow controls for flood prevention schemes, SuDS, CSOs and WwTWs. Inlet works screening and grit removal solutions. Sludge screening. Dropping sewage or water safely from height. Hire, repair and maintenance of inlet works screens and screenings handling equipment

    Networks - Sewerage
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    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
    PLR Building Services Ltd logo

    PLR Building Services Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Here at PLR Building Services, our team brings extensive experience in the water industry, specialising in top-tier electrical installation work for framework companies across the utility companies. Our primary focus is on ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for water systems. We offer a comprehensive electrical design package and project management services. Our team is equipped with the latest health, safety, and electrical qualifications to meet all your project requirements efficiently. As a NICEIC approved contractor, we excel in both new systems installation and the refurbishment of existing installations. Water treatment Wastewater treatment Sludge treatment Pumping stations Reservoirs Inspection Testing Electrical Design Project managing

    Contractors
    Water Pumping Stations
    Siltbuster Group logo

    Siltbuster Group

    United Kingdom

    Established for over 20 years, the Siltbuster Limited provides rapidly deployable, “modular off the shelf” water treatment solutions to the construction, industrial and municipal markets, with a client base ranging from the world’s most recognisable multi-national corporations to small enterprises. Siltbuster provides a wide range of water and wastewater treatment equipment for the industrial and municipal markets, including: Packaged lamella dissolved air flotation (DAF) units. Lamella clarifiers. Packaged biological treatment systems. Oil/water separators. Pipe flocculators. Reaction tanks. Containerised dosing systems. In the UK, Siltbuster has pioneered the concept of offering this plant through our extensive hire fleet. Approximately 20 major contracts and circa 50 smaller projects are undertaken each year for a diverse range of clients, many of which are some of the UK’s best-known companies. In addition to the industrial/municipal sector, Siltbuster has undertaken a number of mine water treatment projects in many countries, for example, the UK, Ireland, Greece, France, USA, Canada, Australia and Slovakia. The Siltbuster team pride themselves in their ability to react rapidly and in compliance with the project constraints, delivering mobile or permanent solutions tailored to meet your individual needs.

    Treatment Process Technologies
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    SUEZ Advanced Solutions UK Ltd logo

    SUEZ Advanced Solutions UK Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Unique integrated water solutions and unrivalled expertise. Suez Advanced Solutions UK deliver innovative methods of water and wastewater management throughout the UK. Working with a wide range of customers in the industrial and utility sectors, SUEZ Advanced Solutions UK are focussed on tailored and integrated process solutions for measurable results. Suez Advanced Solutions UK’s suite of environmental technologies and services deliver optimised methods of water network management for the water sector. Utilising a wealth and depth of experience in water and sewerage networks, a wide range of pioneering and innovative process solutions are now successfully providing commercial benefits to water companies, and improving service quality for the end user. Our industrial water specialists deliver bespoke solutions based on the specific needs and process requirements of the customer, to provide reduced costs, energy and water consumption. Committed to continuous development through technical innovation, Suez Advanced Solutions UK transfer knowledge and expertise from a diverse range of industrial sectors, offering a comprehensive understanding of processes and relevant environmental and industry legislations.

    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Asset Management
    Te-Tech Process Solutions logo

    Te-Tech Process Solutions

    United Kingdom

    Te-Tech Process Solutions is a provider of traditional products and advanced process technologies for water and wastewater treatment. Our products cater for a range of client needs from standardised products to bespoke applications designed to meet the exacting needs of the client’s process. Our in-house capability includes process, mechanical and electrical design, off-site manufacture and assembly, MCC and Control Panel Manufacture and System Integration. Our extended services include digital engineering, service and maintenance, operational support and real time control. Advanced technology and innovation are at the core of our business enabling us to provide high quality, efficient solutions to our clients. Our business is founded upon 4 key areas of expertise: WATER & WASTEWATER TREATMENT Te-Tech deliver established water and wastewater products and processes, including: te-cyc TM: Cyclic activated sludge ‘Macrofloc’ biological wastewater treatment te-saf TM: Packaged submerged aerated filters te-ion TM: Advanced oxidation technology for water and wastewater treatment te-mem TM: Advanced membrane filtration te-mbr TM: Package advanced membrane filtration te-sewpas TM: Airlift sludge removal plant te-uv TM: UV disinfection AUTOMATION CONTROL & TECHNOLOGY Our MCC and control panels are provided into multiple sectors including process and water, marine, oil & gas, energy, nuclear, defence and building services. Our capabilities include: MCCs LV Switchboards Local Control Panels Software System Integration DIGITAL ENGINEERING Te-Tech utilise cutting edge digital technologies to provide innovative solutions to our client’s problems. Our digital engineering services support the whole life cycle of our clients’ assets from conceptual design, through design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA), installation on site, final commissioning, operation and maintenance and decommissioning at the end of the asset’s life. Our in-house software capability provides clients with the visualisation tools to precisely view and interrogate designs in a virtual world to minimise clashes, delays or abortive activities and to ensure that the delivered assets are acceptable to operators in the real world. Our BIM capability ensures our products and technologies create assets that are fit for the future and our virtual reality technology allows our teams and clients to fully immerse themselves in the design, optimisation and operation of our solution prior to manufacturing. Our asset optimisation capability helps clients get the best performance out of their assets, by integrating real time control and using data driven insight we can ensure the sustainability and efficiency of asset performance across its lifecycle. Our virtual environment shows the equipment in operation, with liquids moving and plant turning on/off according to the actual system control philosophy. This is an invaluable tool for HAZOPS, ALM and remote training of operators before the plant is constructed – reducing risk and time on site OFF-SITE MANUFACTURING & ASSEMBLY Te-Tech’s off-site manufacture and assembly capability provides standard products and engineered solutions to the water and wastewater sector, oil and gas and energy industries. Its primary focus is on solutions which are designed for manufacture and assembly DfMA; reducing on site construction time, reducing carbon footprint and minimising risk. At our Southampton based headquarters we have over 1000 sq. metres of internal manufacturing space as well as external areas for assembly and storage of larger materials and manufactured components. We design, manufacture and assemble to a range of different standards including CE/CA marking, EXC2 Structural Steel, BS and ASME welding procedures. Our strength within Te-Tech culminates in our integrated service, offering the complete process solution package, from digital design, automation and control through to off-site manufacture and on site assembly.

    Treatment Process Technologies
    Contractors
    Total Automation & Power logo

    Total Automation & Power

    United Kingdom

    Total Automation & Power (TAP) is a formal joint venture between Cougar Automation Ltd and Technical Control Systems Ltd. Formed in 2005, it has delivered hundreds of projects worth tens of millions of pounds. Current water and wastewater frameworks include Severn Trent, Thames, Welsh & Yorkshire Water. Working with TAP is just like working with a single company. Every project has a dedicated project manager who coordinates all the work and gives you a single point of contact. You place a single order for all of your electrical and control system design, supply and installation so you can concentrate on delivering your project without having to worry about placing and managing separate orders for MCCs, a control system and electrical installation. Unlike separate orders, both companies stand behind the whole scope and unlike a contract/sub-contract arrangement we don’t mark up each other’s price. Projects are easy to manage, secure and competitively priced. Supporting clients from initial concept design stage through to on-site commissioning, TAP collaborates with clients at every stage to evaluate designs to optimise TOTEX outcomes. When you choose TAP as your partner you get an unrivalled combination of expertise: Control System, SCADA & PLC expertise from Cougar Automation in six regional offices throughout the UK. MCC, low voltage assembly and panel expertise from Technical Control Systems’ manufacturing facility in Leeds.

    Networks - Sewerage
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Waterco logo

    Waterco

    United Kingdom

    Waterco are engineering and environmental consultants providing design and consultancy services relating to water, drainage and flood risk. We have expertise in engineering and environmental disciplines and are supplemented by a network of specialist independent consultants with extensive experience in major development projects throughout the UK. Our focus is on achieving the optimum solution for our clients, meeting their objectives and adding value to their projects. We have gained a reputation for a friendly, professional and flexible approach since our establishment in 1990. Our Services Water industry infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects Pipelines & Sewerage Water & Wastewater Treatment & Systems Pumping Stations Contingency Planning Security Assessments Asset Management Surge Analysis Hydraulic Modelling Flood Risk Assessment Breach Analysis Coastal & Shoreline Analysis Surface Water Management Sustainable Drainage Systems Natural Flood Management/Catchment Approaches Clients and Partners Our clients and partners include water companies, consultants and contractors. Incorporating their experience and knowledge, we investigate and develop practical designs, to help deliver cost-effective solutions. Geographic Coverage We undertake projects all across the UK, with many of our reporting services being desk-based, travelling to site visits and meetings as required. We have also been involved in international projects such as a major development in Lekki, Nigeria. Accreditations We currently have an ISO 9001 : 2015 accredited Quality Management System; have a BS8555 : 2003 certified Environmental Management System; have design approval in the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS); have maintained Investors in People recognition since 2011 and operate an ICE approved training scheme.

    Designers

    Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater: Biological, Chemical, and Combined Process Design

    Phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment targets total phosphorus (TP) typically comprising orthophosphate (PO4-P, 70 to 90 percent of TP), polyphosphate (5 to 20 percent), and organic phosphorus (5 to 15 percent). Effluent TP limits vary by receiving water sensitivity: EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requires less than 1 mg/L TP for plants greater than 10,000 PE discharging to sensitive areas (eutrophication-prone waters); less than 2 mg/L for 100,000 PE+ in normal areas. US NPDES permits commonly specify 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L TP for discharges to P-sensitive waters (Chesapeake Bay: 0.18 mg/L, Great Lakes: 1.0 mg/L). UK: EA sets site-specific TP limits based on receiving water classification, with enhanced limits of 0.1 mg/L for chalk streams and highly sensitive sites. Chemical precipitation (ferric iron or aluminium salts) is the most widely deployed technology, achieving TP of 0.5 to 2.0 mg/L reliably.

    Biological phosphorus removal (BPR, also Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal - EBPR) exploits polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs, primarily Candidatus Accumulibacter) which release phosphate in anaerobic zones and over-accumulate it (up to 15 percent of cell dry weight) in aerobic zones. Process configurations: A2O (Anaerobic-Anoxic-Oxic), UCT (University of Cape Town), and Bardenpho (5-stage) achieve TP effluent of 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L without chemical addition. EBPR requires: BOD:TP ratio of greater than 15:1 in feed (volatile fatty acids, VFAs, as electron donors); anaerobic HRT of 1 to 2 hours; avoidance of nitrate in the anaerobic zone (inhibits PAO activity). Sidestream phosphorus recovery (struvite crystallisation, MgNH4PO4.6H2O, Ksp 2.5 times 10 to the -13) in digestate returns at 50 to 80 degrees C, pH 8.0 to 9.0, recovers 30 to 50 percent of influent P as a slow-release fertiliser (P2O5 content 28 percent); commercially available as Ostara Pearl, Multiform Harvest Lysosarc systems.

    Chemical phosphorus precipitation uses ferric chloride (FeCl3, dose 2 to 3 molar ratio Fe:P) or ferric sulphate, or alum (Al2(SO4)3, dose 1.5 to 2.5 molar ratio Al:P). Precipitation reactions: Fe3+ + PO4-3 yields FePO4 (Ksp 1.3 times 10 to the -22); Al3+ + PO4-3 yields AlPO4 (Ksp 9.8 times 10 to the -21). Simultaneous precipitation (dosing to primary or secondary treatment) versus post-precipitation (tertiary clarifier) versus pre-precipitation (dosing before primary) affects sludge handling and effluent quality. Tertiary chemical precipitation with sand filtration or membrane filtration achieves TP less than 0.1 mg/L. Combined biological-chemical (hybrid) processes are most common at large plants: EBPR for bulk removal plus polishing chemical dose for permit compliance. Coagulation aids (polyacrylamide flocculants, typically 0.5 to 2.0 mg/L) improve floc settleability and reduce chemical dose by 20 to 30 percent.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the regulatory phosphorus limit for wastewater discharge?

    EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC, revised 2022/0345/COD): TP less than 1 mg/L for plants greater than 10,000 PE discharging to sensitive areas (eutrophic or at risk); less than 2 mg/L for 100,000+ PE in normal areas. US EPA: NPDES permit limits are site-specific; Chesapeake Bay Program requires 0.18 mg/L TP from large plants; Great Lakes Compact recommends 1.0 mg/L; many states have adopted 0.1 mg/L for nutrient-sensitive waters. UK EA: site-specific based on receiving water catchment status under WFD; chalk stream catchments and protected areas may require 0.1 mg/L or lower; standard sensitive area limit is 1 mg/L. The revised EU UWWTD proposed in 2022 introduces nutrient removal requirements for plants greater than 1,000 PE discharging to sensitive areas, significantly expanding coverage.

    What is biological phosphorus removal?

    Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) uses polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) to remove phosphorus without chemical addition. PAOs store phosphate intracellularly as polyphosphate: in the anaerobic zone (no oxygen or nitrate), PAOs release phosphate (energy via poly-P hydrolysis) and take up volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate); in the aerobic zone, PAOs over-accumulate phosphate using energy from substrate oxidation, achieving intracellular P content up to 15 percent of dry weight vs 2 to 3 percent for ordinary heterotrophs. EBPR requires influent BOD:TP ratio greater than 15:1 (ideally greater than 20:1), sufficient VFAs (at least 25 mg acetate-COD/L in the anaerobic zone), and strict exclusion of nitrate from the anaerobic selector. Achievable effluent TP: 0.5 to 1.5 mg/L in well-operated systems; supplementary chemical polishing brings this to less than 0.1 mg/L if required.

    Can phosphorus be recovered from wastewater?

    Yes. Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate, MgNH4PO4.6H2O) crystallisation is the leading phosphorus recovery technology, applied to centrate or filtrate from anaerobic digestion (where P concentrations are elevated to 50 to 200 mg/L due to biological release during digestion). Struvite forms spontaneously in digestion systems; controlled crystallisation in a fluidised bed reactor (Ostara Pearl, CNP PHOSPAQ, Multiform Harvest) at pH 7.5 to 8.5, temperature 20 to 25 degrees C, Mg:P molar ratio of 1.2 to 1.5 produces prill-sized crystals used as slow-release fertiliser (EN certification as mineral phosphate fertiliser in EU). Plant-wide P recovery: 20 to 50 percent of influent P; reduces chemical dosing requirements for downstream P removal by 10 to 30 percent. Regulations: EU Fertilising Products Regulation (2019/1009) certifies struvite as a component material for CE-marked fertilisers; UK Fertilisers Regulations (as amended post-Brexit) allow recovered struvite.

    What chemicals are used for phosphorus precipitation?

    Primary coagulants for phosphorus precipitation: (1) Ferric chloride (FeCl3, liquid 40 percent w/w): most widely used; dose 2 to 3 mol Fe per mol P (stoichiometric); pH optimum 5 to 7; produces voluminous ferric hydroxide floc with high water content (3 to 5 percent TS sludge); corrosive (pH of 40% solution approximately 0); (2) Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4, copperas): lower cost than ferric; requires aeration to oxidise Fe2+ to Fe3+ for effective PO4 precipitation; (3) Aluminium sulphate (alum, Al2(SO4)3.18H2O): dose 1.5 to 2.5 mol Al per mol P; pH optimum 6 to 7; used where iron salts cause aesthetic issues (colour in effluent); (4) Sodium aluminate (NaAlO2): used in high-pH systems (anaerobic digesters) where caustic conditions are acceptable. Polymer flocculants (anionic polyacrylamide, 0.5 to 2 mg/L) are added as coagulant aid. Chemical costs typically GBP 15 to 40 per kg P removed for iron-based precipitation.

    Case Study·Municipal wastewater treatment
    Challenge

    A 95,000 PE activated sludge works in the East Midlands was failing its Environment Agency permit for total phosphorus (consent limit 1 mg/L TP), routinely discharging 3 to 5 mg/L TP into a phosphorus-sensitive watercourse classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Biological phosphorus removal via EBPR was unreliable due to low influent VFA concentrations during dry weather.

    Approach

    The operator installed simultaneous precipitation using ferric chloride dosing at the secondary clarifier inlet (target Fe:P molar ratio 2.5:1) combined with a tertiary sand filter polishing stage. A phosphate analyser on the clarifier effluent enabled closed-loop dosing control. Struvite risk in the digester was managed by adding magnesium dosing upstream of the centrate return, recovering struvite pellets via a fluidised bed crystalliser.

    Outcome

    Effluent TP fell to 0.4 mg/L on average (permit compliance sustained). Ferric chloride consumption stabilised at 180 kg/day, 22% lower than manual-dose baseline. Struvite recovery generated 1.8 tonnes per week of CE-marked slow-release fertiliser, generating GBP 28,000 per year in avoided chemical disposal costs.

    Questions to Ask Shortlisted Providers

    1. 1

      What is the consent limit for total phosphorus and is the receiving watercourse classified as phosphorus-sensitive?

      Consent limits below 1 mg/L TP require reliable tertiary polishing; phosphorus-sensitive designations (SSSI, SAC) may trigger stricter limits under the Habitats Regulations.

    2. 2

      What is the influent BOD:TP ratio and VFA availability for EBPR feasibility?

      A BOD:TP ratio above 20:1 with adequate VFAs supports biological removal without chemical cost; below this threshold, chemical precipitation is the primary route.

    3. 3

      Is struvite scaling already occurring in digesters, centrifuges, or pipework?

      Uncontrolled struvite formation causes blockages and bearing failures; incorporating a recovery crystalliser converts a maintenance problem into a revenue stream.

    4. 4

      What is the target effluent TP and what compliance window is required (annual average vs 95th percentile)?

      Compliance basis affects design headroom; 95th-percentile limits require more conservative chemical dosing or additional polishing capacity to handle peak loads.

    5. 5

      How will residual ferric sludge affect downstream digestion and sludge disposal route?

      Ferric dosing increases sludge volumes by 10 to 25% and may reduce biogas yield by 5 to 15% in co-digestion; this affects totex and may influence choice between iron-based and aluminium-based coagulants.

    What Drives Cost in This Category

    Chemical reagent consumption (ferric chloride or alum)

    GBP 15 to 40 per kg P removed for iron-based precipitation; closed-loop analyser-controlled dosing typically reduces reagent use by 15 to 25% vs manual.

    Tertiary filtration capital and operating cost

    Sand or cloth-media filters add GBP 0.8 million to 2.5 million capex per 10 MLD capacity; required where effluent limits are below 0.5 mg/L TP.

    Sludge disposal uplift from chemical precipitation

    Ferric addition increases sludge mass by 10 to 25%, raising cake transport and disposal costs by GBP 20 to 60 per tonne DS.

    Struvite recovery system installation

    Fluidised bed crystallisers cost GBP 400,000 to 1.2 million installed but can generate GBP 20,000 to 80,000 per year in fertiliser sales and reduce chemical P-removal load by 10 to 30%.

    Key Regulations & Standards

    Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations 1994 (as amended)

    Transpose EU UWWTD; set TP consent limits for WWTPs greater than 10,000 PE discharging to sensitive areas; limits typically 1 or 2 mg/L TP depending on catchment classification.

    Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016

    EA issues Environmental Permits specifying effluent P limits; breach constitutes an offence under Regulation 38(1) with unlimited fines and potential custodial sentences.

    Habitats Regulations 2017

    Phosphorus-sensitive SAC and SSSI catchments may require Habitats Regulations Assessment; EA may issue P reduction notices requiring sub-0.5 mg/L TP where water body fails to achieve Good Ecological Status.

    EU Fertilising Products Regulation 2019/1009 and UK Fertilisers Regulations

    Recovered struvite qualifies as a component material for CE-marked/UKCA-marked mineral fertilisers; quality and safety criteria must be met for Product Regulation compliance and avoiding Waste Framework Directive classification.