Thurleigh Water Recycling Centre (2026)

Thurleigh WRC I‑Phyc plant - Courtesy of @one Alliance

Thurleigh Water Recycling Centre (WRC) is located just outside the village of Thurleigh in North Bedfordshire, around six miles from Bedford. The site plays a vital role in Anglian Water’s water recycling network, helping protect local waterways and maintaining environmental compliance. This project forms part of Anglian Water’s Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), a national initiative focused on improving water quality and ecological health. WINEP supports the UK Government’s Water Framework Directive, which requires water companies to achieve good ecological status in rivers and water bodies.

Problem

To meet the Water Framework Directive, Thurleigh WRC needed to significantly reduce phosphorus levels in its final effluent. Excess phosphorus can cause algal blooms, oxygen depletion and damage to aquatic ecosystems. Thurleigh’s consent limit was set at a stringent 0.5 mg/l – beyond what existing assets could consistently achieve.

Failure to meet this requirement risked breaching Anglian Water’s AMP7 commitments, potentially leading to regulatory penalties and reputational impact. Environmentally, reducing phosphorus was essential for improving river quality and supporting biodiversity.

Solution

Anglian Water tasked the @one Alliance with delivering the scheme. The team adopted an innovative £3.2m biological algae treatment system (I-Phyc) in place of traditional chemical dosing.

The I‑Phyc system uses algae’s natural ability to absorb nutrients. Key components included:

• 11 process tanks and eight conditioning tanks with LED lamps and automated wipers.
• A new cloth filter for efficient algae harvesting.
• An air‑mixing system with dual blowers to maintain optimal oxygen levels.
• A new PLC‑controlled kiosk for real-time monitoring.
• Dual-channel phosphate monitors for accurate compliance tracking.
• Feed and backwash pumping stations.
• A DNO power upgrade for resilient electrical supply.

This integrated solution not only meets regulatory targets but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable, low‑carbon water treatment; reflecting Anglian Water’s values of Always Exploring, Do the Right Thing and Build Trust.

The Thurleigh WRC biological algae treatment system from Industrial Phycology Ltd – Courtesy of @one Alliance

Thurleigh WRC: Supply chain – key participants

Successful delivery relied on strong collaboration across the supply chain. The combined expertise of the project partners ensured high-quality design, compliance, and installation of a first-of-its-kind system:

• Project delivery: @one Alliance
• Principal contractor: Barhale
• MEICA & civils design: RSE (Ross-shire Engineering)
• Archaeology survey: Dalcour Maclaren Ltd
• Ecological survey: Greenwillows Associates Ltd
• I-Phyc algal reactor design & supply: Industrial Phycology Ltd
• Site electrical & mechanical delivery: RSE (Ross-shire Engineering)
• I-Phyc reactor electrical & mechanical delivery: Advanced Process
• Air blowers: Aerzen Machines
• MCC: Paktronic Engineering Co. Ltd
• Telemetry equipment: Dodd Group (Eastern) Ltd
• Safety shower: Hughes Safety Showers Ltd
• Civils works: DLO (@one Alliance Direct Labour)

Challenges

Introducing Anglian Water’s first algae-based phosphorus removal system brought several challenges:

1. Supplier integration: Working with new technology required onboarding suppliers unfamiliar with @one Alliance processes. Close collaboration ensured alignment with standards and successful delivery.
2. Operational transition: Adopting a biological alternative to chemical dosing required training, operational changes and robust risk management to ensure a smooth handover.
3. Archaeological delays: Archaeological investigations during enabling works caused delays, but were essential to protect local heritage and meet statutory obligations.

Despite these challenges, the project team maintained strong collaboration and proactive planning to keep the programme on track.

Completed biological algae treatment system – Courtesy of @one Alliance

Carbon savings

Construction generated 205 tCO₂e of capital carbon. However, the I‑Phyc system absorbs 46 tCO₂e annually, meaning the project will offset its carbon footprint within four years.

Further operational carbon savings include:

1. The need for chemical transport and storage is removed.
2. Lower sludge handling and disposal.

Once fully optimised, the algae will absorb carbon equivalent to 2,190 trees per year.

Conclusion

The Thurleigh WRC I-Phyc Phosphorus Removal Project showcases how the @one Alliance and Anglian Water collaborate with the supply chain to bring new sustainable technologies to site. As Anglian Water’s first chemical‑free, algae‑based phosphorus removal system, Thurleigh provides a scalable model for future AMP8 schemes; achieving regulatory compliance while reducing carbon and operational costs.

Thurleigh WRC I‑Phyc plant - Courtesy of @one Alliance