Supply Chain - Treatment Process Technologies - Picket Fence Thickener

Everton Water Recycling Centre (WRC) is a small treatment works in Bedfordshire, serving around 200 homes and a population of roughly 600. Located downslope from Everton village (220 ft above sea level), the works benefits from a 14% gradient, allowing wastewater to flow to the site by gravity before being treated and discharged to the River Ivel. To meet the Environment Agency’s AMP7 requirements, Everton WRC needed to significantly reduce phosphorus in its discharge. Without action, the site would fail to comply with Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). Anglian Water was required to meet new consent limits of 1 mg/l phosphorus and 8,000 µg/l iron under the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). Solution

Anglian Water tasked its @one Alliance with identifying an effective and innovative solution to this issue. The conventional approach, iron dosing, would have needed major civil works, a new concrete base, modifications to the existing process, and an ongoing supply of iron chemicals. This would create ongoing costs, increased carbon emissions from deliveries, and higher operational complexity.

Instead, the team chose to challenge convention by developing Anglian Water’s first Integrated Constructed Treatment Wetland (ICTW) as a nature-based alternative. The final design created a three‑cell wetland covering 18,320m² (around 2.5 football pitches).

[caption id="attachment_28098" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Start of turf stripping - Courtesy of@one Alliance[/caption]

To build a wetland of this size, Anglian Water purchased the required land from a local farmer who owned the field downstream of the existing works. The existing outfall pipeline ran parallel to the farmer’s field and Tempsford Road, carrying the treated wastewater out towards the River Ivel. To feed the wetland, the team bypassed the start of that pipeline, diverting the water through the gravity-fed wetland before cutting back into the existing pipeline at the new wetland outfall location.

Planting

Over a six-month construction and planting period, the team excavated the three wetland cells and planted more than 110,000 native plants, including:

Emergent wetland plant species

Lesser pond sedge (Carex acuitiformus) Reed Sweet Grass (Glyceria maxima) Lesser reedmace (Typha angustifolia) Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus)

Marginal wetland plant species

Water mint (Mentha aquatica) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga) Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) Gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus) Marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Water forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides) [caption id="attachment_28094" align="alignnone" width="1200"] View of site accommodation, Everton WRC, and the wetland site - Courtesy of@one Alliance[/caption] Challenges

Like many capital projects, the Everton Integrated Constructed Treatment Wetland faced several challenges, including:

Land acquisition & planning: Securing land and planning approval took longer than anticipated and fell largely outside the delivery team’s control, creating uncertainty in the programme. Seasonal working: To avoid winter working risks, construction was strategically rescheduled to start in April 2025, enabling safer and more predictable delivery during drier months. Stakeholder coordination: The scheme involved multiple parties landowners, local authorities, and environmental regulators, requiring strong communication and alignment throughout. First-of-its-kind risks: As Anglian Water’s first ICTW, the solution carried natural risks around design validation and achieving stringent phosphorus and iron limits without chemical dosing. International appeal

As the UK’s first ICTW, the project has drawn international attention. In November 2025, Anglian Water hosted officials from the Mexican Embassy and Government during a UK trade mission exploring innovative water management approaches. Grant Tuffs, Regional Engagement Manager, noted that the visit strengthened international collaboration and highlighted the value of nature‑based solutions in modern water infrastructure.

The wetland has also been visited throughout the earlier stages of the project by Richard Fuller, local Bedfordshire Conservative MP, showcasing the positive and widespread attention this project has received throughout its lifecycle.

[caption id="attachment_28091" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Preparing the wetland cells - Courtesy of@one Alliance[/caption] Everton Wetlands: Supply chain - key participants Project delivery: @one Alliance Principal contractor: Skanska Wetland designers: Binnies Wetland designers: VESI Environmental Ltd Flood risk assessment: SWECO Topography surveys: Randall Surveys LLP Archaeological mitigation work: Headland Archaeology Ground investigation work: AF Howland Associates Specialist wetland construction: William Morfoot Ltd Wetland plants & planting: Salix River and Wetland Services Landscape planting & ecological surveys: Greenwillows Associates Ltd Enabling civil works: DLO (@one Alliance Direct Labour) Drone surveys & video footage/stills: Dronesmart Global Site security & construction timelapse: Wireless CCTV Ltd Flow meter supplier: Metasphere Ltd Flow meter installation: Dodd Group OSM chamber: SIRUS Security fencing & gate: Burn Fencing Ltd

Because no new dosing plant was needed, the existing site infrastructure and power usage remained unchanged. The planning and land acquisition process took three years, reflecting the complexity of delivering a first‑of‑its‑kind solution. This allowed the team to develop a robust, repeatable design for future wetlands planned across AMP8.

[caption id="attachment_28095" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Wetland cells prior to planting - Courtesy of@one Alliance[/caption] Successes

The Everton Integrated Constructed Treatment Wetland Project eliminated the need for chemical dosing, reducing lorry movements, operational carbon, and long‑term chemical costs. A deeper pond area was also created to encourage biodiversity and support local wildlife.

The Everton Wetland was completed in October 2025. With planting now established, full growth and system maturity are expected by Spring 2027. The plants have an indefinite lifespan but is likely to be between 30 and 50 years or more.

Overall, the project achieved an 84% reduction in carbon emissions, cutting the carbon footprint from 654 tCo2e to 104 tCo2e, largely due to balanced cut‑and‑fill earthworks that avoided imports and exports and the removal of 99% of anticipated concrete use.

[caption id="attachment_28097" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Wetland plants - Courtesy of@one Alliance[/caption] Conclusion

The Everton Wetland Project demonstrates how nature-based design can deliver regulatory compliance while providing long-term environmental, operational, and carbon benefits. By replacing chemical dosing with an ICTW, Anglian Water has reduced costs, cut emissions, increased biodiversity, and created a blueprint for future schemes.

As part of the £37m wetland programme, the lessons from the Everton Integrated Constructed Treatment Wetland Project will shape the next generation of wetlands to be delivered across AMP8. This project represents a significant milestone in the UK water industry’s shift toward sustainable, resilient infrastructure.

Located near New Inn, South Wales, this innovative nature-based solution (NbS) project addresses the water quality impact from a storm overflow (SO) discharging into the Afon Lwyd during wet weather. Water quality modelling classified the existing high spilling asset as having a ‘Severe Impact’ on the river which under the Storm Overflow Assessment Framework (SOAF), prompted investigation, optioneering and construction of the most cost-effective solution to deliver a ‘No Impact’ outcome. Using a multi capitals assessment, the team evaluated cost, carbon and long term value to both nature and society. This showed that prioritising a nature-based solution delivered substantial a cost saving (£43m) and carbon savings (half the embodied carbon) against its grey equivalent solution, a 33,500m3 storage tank, alongside wider community and environmental benefits. Root cause and optioneering stage

During the optioneering stage, a range of interventions were assessed to address the storm overflow impact, including catchment‑scale rainfall disconnection, increased pass‑forward flow, nature‑based treatment and conventional storage. Catchment disconnection was discounted due to the high levels of customer disruption required, while increasing pass‑forward flow was not feasible due to downstream hydraulic constraints. Given the overflow’s location adjacent to open land by the river, a nature‑based solution was identified as the most effective and deliverable option.

[caption id="attachment_29039" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The field pre-construction used for occasional grazing, with the existing storm overflow situated within the trees to the right - Courtesy of Arup[/caption]

A two-stage approach was chosen to maximise success, with an aerated reed bed providing initial intensive solids capture followed by two Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICWs) in series, providing effluent polishing and an opportunity for the industry to research wetland treatment in this application.

The favourable topography enabled a gravity system, eliminating the need for lifting flows and in turn, reducing operational energy demands. The field’s proximity to New Inn’s residents also allowed for place-making features for the local community, such as footpaths, an outdoor classroom and natural play areas, enhancing community engagement and educational opportunities.

The indirect monetary value of these wider benefits was captured in the decision-making stage via the use of CIRIA’s B£ST estimation tool, which estimated £12m in realised benefits over the next 40 years across social, natural and other capitals; something none of the grey solutions offered.

[caption id="attachment_28938" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Site layout - Courtesy of Arup[/caption] Design stage: New compound

The existing storm overflow (SO) was located amongst trees on the edge of the field. The incoming pipe laid in the eastern corner of the field meant the SO could be relocated into a new compound, which will contain the following chambers and plant:

Screening chamber: The screening chamber houses an orifice flow control and a new mechanical screen that removes solids from excess flows. Only flows above the permitted pass‑forward rate are diverted to the reed bed, ensuring that the treatment process receives appropriate, pre‑screened volumes. Bypass chamber: This chamber is designed to divert the highest flows from the catchment before they enter the nature‑based solution. The flow threshold is set so that around 95% of the total discharge volume still passes through the NbS, with the bypass only operating during the most dilute, peak‑flow conditions. MCC kiosk: New kiosk to house the motor control centre. Aeration blower kiosk: An acoustically insulated kiosk to house the blowers for the aerated reed bed.

Design for Manufacture and Assembly principles were adopted to several elements of the compound. The screening and bypass chamber were fabricated off site by FP McCann Ltd, reducing the need to cast these chambers in situ.

Both the kiosks were prefabricated off-site by Morgan Marine Ltd to save time and reduce on-site activities in the construction phase.

[caption id="attachment_28921" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The new compound (March 2025) - Courtesy of Welsh Water[/caption] Design stage: Reed bed & integrated constructed wetlands

The design team carried out a catchment Flow & Load Survey to ensure a better understanding of the design parameters required to achieve the ‘No Impact’ outcome. The survey gave insight into the challenges around pollutant loads in intermittent discharges, with varying concentrations of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia found in the excess diluted sewage; especially the difference between accommodating the ‘first flush concentration’ and weaker dilutions as a storm event continued.

Working collaboratively with the reed bed and ICW suppliers early in this stage, increased confidence in achieving the necessary pollutant removal in the final effluent.

A Flood Consequence Assessment (FCA) was completed as part of the planning application and the findings required the reed bed and wetlands to be moved further away from the river, reducing the size of the originally allocated footprint. The revised layout however, still provided sufficient treatment area (3,000m2 for the reed bed and a combined ICW treatment area of 2,400m2) and created additional space for the public to enjoy.

Planning & stakeholder engagement

The planning application was critical to the success of this project, which was well received by local councillors and relevant bodies, in part, due to the extensive up-front work done by Arup’s planning team. Arup specialist teams carried out predictive odour and noise modelling of the solution to address concerns raised by the planning authority. The project team also engaged extensively with the local community through both in-person and online events, ensuring the design met local needs and preferences.

To align with the Sustainable Approval Body (SAB) requirements as part of planning approval, the design team implemented sustainable drainage features across the site. The maintenance track and vehicle areas in the compound were constructed from permeable TruckCell™ paving, made from recycled plastic, whilst vegetated swales and depressions were incorporated alongside the impermeable access track and footpaths. This reinforced the project’s low‑carbon and sustainable design ethos.

[caption id="attachment_28924" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Maintenance track constructed out of TruckCellTM - Courtesy of Arup[/caption] Pont-y-felin Lane: Supply chain - key participants Main designer/contractor: Morgan Sindall Infrastructure Lead designer & planning team: Arup Reed bed: Natural Wastewater Solutions (NWS) Integrated constructed wetland: Salix River and Wetland Services Vesi Environmental Ltd Aeration blowers: AERZEN Machines Precast screening & bypass chambers: FP McCann Ltd Chamber covers: Steelway Brickhouse Mechanical screens: Huber Technology Mechanical installation: Industrial Pipework Services MCC: Lloyd Morris Electrical Ltd MCC kiosk: Morgan Marine Ltd TruckCell™ paving: ABG Geosynthetics Construction stage

Construction started in January 2024, with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure mobilising to bring the nature-based solution system online before the regulatory deadline of 31 March 2025. The team navigated challenges including invasive species within the compound area and persistent groundwater during the large excavations, requiring an extensive dewatering activity (under approved Abstraction Licences).

Working with the sub-contractors, Natural Wastewater Solutions (NWS) for the reed bed, and Salix River and Wetland Services and Vesi Environmental Ltd for the integrated constructed wetland, 33,904 tonnes of soil were removed and the ground re-profiled. 30,000 tonnes was re-used off site, whilst 3,000 tonnes was recycled and re-used on site, with the final 904 tonnes taken to landfill, due to the presence of Japanese knotweed.

[caption id="attachment_29040" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Site drone photos throughout construction (January 2024 - June 2025) - Courtesy of Welsh Water[/caption]

Due to the impermeable nature of the soil, the reed bed and constructed wetland both required under-draining to minimise the impact on the groundwater table. Once the under-drains were installed, the basins were constructed, which included the following:

12,000 plants throughout the three basins, including: Phragmites planted for the reed bed and; Lesser pond sedge, reed sweet grass, lesser reedmace and water mint for the ICWs. 6,100m2 of liner across the three basins. 17,500m of aerated pipeline installed. 3,710 tonnes of stone.

The site team pushed to see the first flows through the system just 12-months later, ahead of the 31 March deadline and handled the heavy rainfall from Storm Eowyn on 24 January without any issue.

Monitoring

A robust sampling regime is currently underway to understand the performance of the individual stages and final effluent from the nature-based solution. This will inform future permitting of these types of solutions in cooperation with the environmental regulator, Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

The initial sampling results are promising, with significant reductions in BOD, ammonia, total suspended solids (TSS) and phosphorus in the final effluent. River water quality sampling upstream and downstream of the outfall is also being carried out to understand the impact of the scheme on the Afon Lwyd.

[caption id="attachment_28926" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Integrated constructed wetlands (October 2025) - Courtesy of Arup[/caption] Research

Welsh Water is participating in the Chemical Investigation Programme (2025–2030) with UKWIR, where samples from the wetlands are currently being used to help understand bio-accumulation of emerging substances such as pharmaceuticals in intermittent discharges.

Conclusion

With the site due to open to the public soon, Pont-y-felin Lane exemplifies a paradigm shift in storm overflow management, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can deliver technical excellence, environmental restoration, and community enrichment, all while setting a precedent for low-carbon infrastructure in the water sector. The forward‑thinking optioneering, combined with the client’s commitment to selecting a nature-based solution, over traditional ‘grey’ options, has resulted in a scheme that proves natural solutions can deliver more sustainable outcomes, for less.

The requirement of the Burnley Integrated Catchment Scheme is the River Water Quality Improvement for the Water Framework Directive (WFD) driver identified in the Water Industry National Environmental Programme (WINEP) to achieve a ‘Good’ status in the defined reaches of Pendle Water and the River Calder. The project, which commenced in 2020, is one of United Utilities’ largest AMP7 investments and is being delivered by Advance-plus, a joint venture between MWH Treatment, J Murphy & Sons (JMS) and Stantec UK. In previous articles published by Water Projects, United Utilities has shared the project journey from concept, solution design development, and construction. This case study focuses on the project team’s experience in achieving effective project outcomes. Project requirements & summary

To meet ‘Good’ status in Pendle Water and the River Calder, the treatment capability at Burnley Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) had to be enhanced to achieve compliance with the new treated effluent permit standards, coupled with management of storm discharges in the defined reaches, to achieve compliance with the WFD 99%ile wet weather intermittent standards. There are eight regulatory drivers attached to this WFD element of the scheme.

The project also includes two additional regulatory drivers for U_MON3 spill monitoring and U_MON4 flow monitoring.

Through complex river water quality and network modelling, the lowest whole life cost integrated catchment solution was determined and developed.

The Integrated Catchment Solution comprised four sites, which are all inter-dependent in delivering the regulatory outputs.

[caption id="attachment_26729" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Modification of existing PSTs 6, 7, 8 and 9 - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption] Burnley WwTW

Serving a domestic population equivalent of approximately 107,000 plus trade load, Burnley WwTW has undergone a significant upgrade during this AMP7 project with the scope comprising the design, construction, and commissioning of:

A new Evoqua BioMag® activated sludge plant (ASP) from Xylem Water Solutions. The BioMag® system enhances conventional biological wastewater treatment by using magnetite (an iron oxide powder) to ballast the microbiological floc, creating an increase in mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the ASP and enhanced performance in the final settlement tanks (FSTs). A new 64-panel, 12,000m3 detention tank constructed by A-Consult Ltd with associated feed pumping station. A new additional (4th) primary settlement tank. A new 2500 l/s interstage pumping station (pass forward of FtFT and RAS flows). Refurbishment of the four existing FSTs. A new surplus activated sludge (SAS) thickening process. A new ferric and caustic chemical dosing plants. New MCCs, SCADA upgrade and power upgrade. U_MON3 event duration monitoring on spills to storm tanks. U_MON4 flow monitoring.

The final effluent quality for the new works at Burnley WwTW is to comply with both WRA (spot samples) and UWWTD (composite samples):

Design Permit WRA Parameter Average 95% ile Upper Tier Limit BOD 9 mg/l 50 mg/l Solids 40 mg/l Ammonia 2 mg/l 12 mg/l Total P 0.25 mg/l Iron 4 mg/l 8 mg/l Design Permit UWWTD Composite Samples Parameter Compliance Requirement Upper Tier Limit BOD 25 mg/l (or 70% removal) 50 mg/l COD 125 mg/l (or 75% removal) 250 mg/l Total P 2 mg/l (or 80% removal) [caption id="attachment_26728" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Evoqua BioMag® activated sludge plant - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption] Burnley WwTW Catchment Strategy: Supply chain - key participants Client: United Utilities Construction Delivery Partner: Advance-plus JV MWH Treatment (Advance-plus jv) J Murphy & Sons (Advance-plus jv) Stantec UK (Advance-plus jv) Civil design detention tank: COWI UK Ltd Physical modelling: Hydrotec Consultants Ltd Dewatering design: OGI Groundwater Specialists Ltd Dewatering: Alba Dewatering Services Ltd Concrete construction: STAM Construction Ltd Detention tank shaft: Joseph Gallagher Ltd Pump station shaft: EJ Kelly Sheet piling: Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd PCC driven piling: Van Elle Concrete cutting: Holemasters Temporary works/shoring: MGF Ltd Precast post tensioned tanks: A-Consult Ltd Precast roof sections: Macrete (Ireland) Ltd Precast shaft segments: FP McCann Blower building: Saredon Steel Buildings Ltd BioMag® building: Gallaway Construction Ltd Access metalwork: Tushingham Steel Fabricators Evoqua BioMag® process: Xylem Water Solutions BioMag® mechanical installation: Alpha Plus Ltd [caption id="attachment_26724" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Detention tank water test - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption] Civils & pipework: SGC Civil engineering Ltd Pumping station mechanical installation: Fluid Sealing & Engineering (FSE) Transformers: Winder Power Electrical installation: PICOW Engineering Group MCCs: Technical Control Systems Ltd Systems integration: Tata Consultancy Services SAS glass coated steel tank: Stortec Engineering Ltd Dosing systems: NPS Engineering Group PST fixed scraper bridge: EPS Water Epoxy coated carbon steel pipework & wall starters: Freeflow Pipesystems Ltd SAS drum thickeners: Huber Technology Odour control system: Air-Water Treatments Ltd PST odour covers: Corporate Engineering Ductile iron pipework: Saint Gobain PAM UK Ductile iron pipework: Electrosteel Castings (UK) Ltd FST scraper bridge refurbishment: Jacopa Ltd Blowers: Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Ltd Aeration system: Suprafilt Ltd SAS tank air mixing system: Utile Engineering Submersible pumps: Xylem Water Solutions Valves: AVK UK Ltd Standby generators: DTGen Kiosks: Industrial GRP Ventilation: Air Technology Systems Ltd Lindred Road CSO (PEN0056)

Work at this existing combined sewer overflow (CSO) site comprised the construction of an online 1,950m3 detention tank to store storm waters during times of heavy rainfall and reducing discharges to the watercourse. New pumps within the tank return the effluent to the sewer for onward treatment at Burnley WwTW. A new MCC and power supply were installed for this facility.

[caption id="attachment_18286" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Lindred Road detention tank during construction - Courtesy of United Utilities & Advance-plus[/caption] Altham Outfall Fennyfold CSO (BUR0026)

This existing CSO site is located in the local town of Padiham and on the sewer network that transfers flows to Hyndburn WwTW for treatment. The solution at this site was to construct a new chamber over the downstream sewer, install a new ‘real time’ controlled actuated penstock valve that regulates and optimises flows passed forward to Hyndburn, whilst reducing spills from the existing CSO. A new control kiosk was also provided.

Hyndburn WwTW

Value engineering and engagement with the Environment Agency enabled a no-build solution to be accepted at Hyndburn WwTW site, with only the optimisation of existing storm tank emptying system necessary for compliance.

Process optimisation: update to previous report

New primary settlement tank No. 4

New primary settlement tank (PST) No. 4 desludge pump run/dwell timers have been optimised to provide primary sludge concentration to a target of ~3.5% ds w/w. Daily PST No. 4 sludge blanket dips are undertaken by ADP and UU Operations undertook routine measurement of primary sludge concentration to inform any occasional minor changes to desludge pump run/dwell timers. The set-points for the run/dwell timer of the PST No. 4 desludge pumps typically range from 9-12 minutes for the run phase and 45-60 minutes for the dwell phase. These set-points will be adjusted in the future to accommodate changes in operational conditions at the site, including those related to the current sludge treatment center. [caption id="attachment_26733" align="alignnone" width="1200"] PST4 with odour control cover - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption] Interstage pumping station The new interstage pumping station (IPS) has been commissioned with close consideration of the operating level set-points as determined during detailed hydraulic design. Further optimisation of the recycled activated sludge (RAS) control flow rates was undertaken following an exceptionally dry and warm weather period during April-June 2025 which has then resulted in supplementary further optimisation of the IPS control set-points. To maintain a stable hydraulic gradient for control of RAS (via gravity) from the final settlement tanks, the IPS top water level has been further optimised at 2.5m set-point with an operating level set-point control band optimised across a 0.5m depth (as per design). The IPS pumps minimum/maximum operating speeds (32.5Hz and 50Hz respectively) have been further optimised to provide stable control to level set-point across the 0.5m operating level band and avoiding, as much as possible, pump start/stops during dry weather flow periods where pump minimum performance exceeds received flows into the pumping station. The IPS has operated generally in accordance with the initial duty/assist/assist cascading level control with PID control loop tuning set-points remaining generally unchanged since original turn of flows in early October 2024. Further optimisation of the IPS process control set-points is not envisaged in the future. [caption id="attachment_26725" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Interstage pumping station - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

Process air blowers: The new process air blower package was initially commissioned with support from the supplier, Sulzer Water & Wastewater. The majority of operational set-points within the blower package system are standard defaults and did not require further optimisation. The assist blower start/stop changeover set-points were optimised during a subsequent Sulzer site visit to ensure stable operational transition, avoid unnecessary noise and prevent nuisance under/over pressure process trips.

The process air blower discharge header control set-point has been further optimised to 640 mbarg in attempt to minimise dissolved oxygen depletion during storm events. The occasional depletion of dissolved oxygen remains an issue during the extraordinary rate of change of incoming flows and loads often associated with these storm events.

The addition of alternative ‘Storm Mode’ process control may ultimately be required to fully remedy the situation. Further optimisation of the process air blower process control set-points may therefore be required in conjunction with implementation of future ‘Storm Mode’ process control philosophy.

New primary ferric sulphate dosing: Extensive and routine jar-testing to monitor the optimal primary ferric dose molar ratio dose to achieve target residual orthophosphate and Total Iron concentrations was undertaken during May and June 2025.

The primary ferric molar ratio dose providing optimal phosphate and iron control (~1mg/l orthophosphate and <20mg/l Total Iron concentrations in PST effluent), as determined during the Summer Completion Test, was 4.15 MR. For reference, the ‘as-commissioned’ diurnal orthophosphate base load profile is shown below.

[caption id="attachment_26740" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Burnley WwTW: Orthophosphate diurnal load profile - primary ferric LUT set-points (as commissioned November 2024) - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

A summary of initial and subsequent primary ferric dosing MR dose ‘optimisation’ is provided below:

28 November 2024 Dosing commences at 5MR 11 December 2024 Dosing increased to 6MR to target 1mg/l orthophosphate in PST effluent 20 December 2024 Dosing reduced to 5MR in response to ASP ammonia breakthrough spikes 24 December 2024 Dosing reduced to 4MR in response to ASP ammonia breakthrough spikes 2 January 2025 Dosing paused in response to observed ASP ammonia breakthrough spikes 9 January 2025 Dosing recommenced at 2MR 11 February 2025 Dosing increased to 3MR to target 1mg/l orthophosphate in PST effluent 25 February 2025 Dosing increased to 3.5MR to target 1mg/l orthophosphate in PST effluent 6 March 2025 Dosing increased to 3.75MR to target 1mg/l orthophosphate in PST effluent 17 March 2025 Dosing reduced to 3.5MR in response to ASP ammonia breakthrough spikes 24 April 2025 Dosing increased to 3.75MR to target 1mg/l orthophosphate in PST effluent 30 April 2025 Dosing paused in response to observed FST iron breakthrough spikes 3 May 2025 Dosing recommenced at 4.5MR following jar testing 8 May 2025 Dosing reduced to 4.15MR in response to jar test results N/A No primary ferric MR change since 8/5/25

Routine, minor, operational changes to the primary ferric dosing set-points will remain a business-as-usual activity associated with normal wastewater treatment works operation in the future; and most notably, in response to envisaged seasonal variation and catchment characteristics.

Caustic dosing: An initial set-point of 7.1 pH units was adopted for interstage pH process control upon commencement of the Summer Completion Test. This control set-point has been further optimised on occasion and in agreement with/request by United Utilities Operations to 7.15 pH units to either reduce chemical consumption or in consideration of prevailing final effluent alkalinity measured value.

Routine, minor, operational changes to the interstage pH setpoint considering prevailing final effluent pH and alkalinity will remain a business-as-usual activity associated with normal wastewater treatment works operation in the future.

[caption id="attachment_26726" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Chemical dosing area - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

Liquid polyelectrolyte dosing: The ‘sweetening’ dose set-point of 25 l/h per FST has been retained and a storm event %FtFT trigger setpoint of 75% (in line with Evoqua recommendation). During periods of low FtFT, the 25 l/h ‘sweetening’ dose set-point results in the liquid poly system batching around four times per day; ensuring that a fresh, but matured, make-up solution is available at all times in readiness for flash increase in FtFT or prolonged storm event.

The poly dose proportional set-point has been gradually reduced to the current value of 0.6 mg/l as active product. It is noted that the product selection and amount of liquid polyelectrolyte dosed is subject to EA permitting and, as such, strict limits on maximum poly dose rate applies (currently 3.2 mg/l maximum as active product).

Further optimisation of the liquid poly ‘proportional’ dose process control set-points is not envisaged as necessary in the future.

[caption id="attachment_26734" align="alignnone" width="1200"] New assets at Burnley WwTW - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

Magnetite addition & recovery: Magnetite, an iron oxide powder, is added to the activated sludge process via the BioMag® system to provide mixed liquor enhanced settleability in the final settlement tanks by microbiological floc ‘ballasting’.

The new works was operated during Q1 of 2025 to maintain the magnetite : MLSS ratio at the target of approximately 2:1, which was necessary to achieve the necessary mixed liquor settleability performance as measured by Specific Stirred Volume Index (SSVI).

Control to the target ratio is effected by management of magnetite ‘top-up’ addition, and in consideration of daily surplus activated sludge wastage volume, which relies upon having a disposal route for SAS. Mixed liquor settleability performance matured naturally during Q2 of 2025 and the magnetite : MLSS ratio was coincidentally reduced to target of 1:1 by the reduction of magnetite ‘top-up’ addition to the design anticipated amount of 500 to 600 kg/d.

The historic magnetite : MLSS ratio data is shown in the graph below. It can be seen that magnetite : MLSS ratio has trended down since the Summer Completion Test and as such, the ‘top-up’ magnetite loading set-point has been increased slightly to compensate.

Routine operational changes to the daily magnetite loading rate will therefore remain a business-as-usual activity associated with normal wastewater treatment works operation in the future. [caption id="attachment_26722" align="alignnone" width="1200"] MLSS minus magnetite (true MLSS) and true MLSS : Magnetite ratio on-site tests and laboratory results - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

Recycled activated sludge control: Further optimisation of the RAS control set-points was undertaken following the extended period of exceptionally dry and warm weather period during April-June 2025. During this dry weather period the RAS flow rate was maximised to design limitation of 1,040 l/s to best manage potential for denitrification within the FSTs and avoid rising sludge and scum formation where possible. RAS control to ‘FtFT Mode 1’ was adopted for control of RAS flows during the Summer Completion Test in accordance with a three-tiered banded philosophy as follows:

FtFT flow (l/s) RAS flow (l/s) <600 400 >600 <1000 600 >1000 750

The RAS control system has operated stably for many months, and no significant further optimisation is envisaged. However, routine operational changes to the RAS control rate or mode of operation will remain a business-as-usual activity associated with normal wastewater treatment works operation in the future.

Activated sludge plant: Routine control of MLSS concentration has remained by the conventional method of monitoring food to micro-organism ratio (F/M) to the design target ~0.08d-1, by assessment of sludge age against target of ~14 days and then by manual adjustment of the surplus activated sludge daily wastage volume.

Routine monitoring of the biological load on the ASP and as-required operational changes to the daily SAS wastage volume to maintain F/M ratio and sludge age within an acceptable range will remain a business-as-usual activity associated with normal wastewater treatment works operation in the future. The historic F/M ratio and sludge age data is shown below.

[caption id="attachment_26739" align="alignnone" width="1200"] F to M ratio and sludge age - Calculated using on-site tests and laboratory test results - Courtesy of United Utilities[/caption]

Similarly, routine microscopic analysis has been undertaken by UU labs to monitor and track filamentous (and other indicator bacteria) abundance.

Summary/conclusion

The Summer Completion Test was carried out by Advance-plus over a 28-day period between 21 July and 18 August 2025. From the test results, it is concluded that the new works has successfully demonstrated compliance with the requirements of:

CT1: Final effluent water quality compliance with site WRA Regulatory Permit limits for BOD, TSS, ammonia, Total Phosphorus, Total Iron and pH. The final effluent water quality adequate compliance with asset standard for alkalinity residual (noting routine pH set-point change made during completion test in response to slight reduction in background alkalinity). CT2: Final effluent water quality compliance with site UWWTD Regulatory Permit limits for BOD and COD. CT3: Final effluent water quality compliance with site UWWTD Regulatory Permit limits for Total Phosphorus. CT4: Magnetite recovery rate of the BioMag® process.

Guildford, the county town of Surrey, sits a commutable 30 miles south west of London and 70 miles from the south coast. Boasting a castle, a cathedral, a picturesque town centre and a university, it is surrounded by Green Belt countryside. The River Wey flows through the town centre and then northwards through water meadows where it provides the outfall for the STW. The Wey eventually discharges into the Thames. The current STW serves a population equivalent (PE) of around 107,000, but the town has a growing population which is expected to grow to circa 125,000 PE by 2041. Background

The town and immediate area are currently served by a sewage treatment works established at the turn of the last century and upgraded over the years. It is located beside the River Wey, to the north of the A3 trunk road and north of Guildford town centre. It lies just south of Slyfield Industrial Estate. The current STW has a capacity to cater for a population equivalent of around 120,000.

Guildford Borough Council’s Local Plan adopted in 2019 allocates a site to the west of the River Wey wrapping around the eastern side of Slyfield Industrial Estate for mixed use development. Part of the 40 Ha allocated site is currently occupied by the existing sewage treatment works.

Weyside Urban Village is a mixed-use regeneration project which will provide some 1,500 new homes, new community facilities, Gypsy and traveller pitches and 6,500m2 of additional light industrial and trade space. 11Ha of the site are allocated for waste management purposes. The plans include a new council depot, a public recycling centre and a new, relocated sewage treatment works.

In order to bring the development site forward, within the plan period to 2034, Guildford Borough Council (GBC) have entered into partnership with Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWUL) to build the new STW as the first phase of the redevelopment. The new location is slightly further north on the eastern edge of the Industrial site and is a brownfield site, formerly a gravel quarry and subsequently a landfill tip.

[caption id="attachment_26867" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 2: Site overview: BIM model of new Guildford STW - Courtesy of BAM Enpure JV[/caption]

The new sewage treatment works allows for an increase in capacity to serve a population of 125,000 allowing for predicted population growth in the town and surrounding area as well as more stringent effluent discharge standards.

The new site also includes areas within the new works for future expansion and increased treatment capacity as need arises.

Previously in Water Projects

The scheme to build a new sewage treatment works (STW) in Guildford is now mid-way through construction. This article provides an update to the project following on from previous articles published in Water Projects. In 2023, Enpure Ltd’s Project Delivery Director Shaun Christopher described in detail the process and assets being provided in the new works and in 2024, Dan Russell, BAM’s Operational Lead, gave an update on the progress of the project one year into the construction.

This article also covers some of the planning considerations and requirements for the scheme.

Contract

In 2021 TWUL awarded a contract to a BAM-Enpure Joint Venture to design, build and commission a new STW for Guildford, and once operational, to de-commission the existing works. BAM-Enpure Joint Venture (JV) is a non-integrated Joint Venture, formed specifically to combine experienced civil engineering contractor BAM with the process engineering MEICA specialism of Enpure, to deliver a turnkey solution for TWUL.

Construction began in the spring/summer of 2023 with BAM undertaking design and construction of the civils works and Enpure providing process and MEICA design and installation. BAM have employed Arcadis as their main civils designer and the JV has let a number of specialist sub-contractor design packages alongside.

[caption id="attachment_26869" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 3: 3D design using a model hosted by Arcadis, image from Autodesk’s Navisworks viewer - BAM Enpure JV & Arcadis[/caption] The project

The project consists of the following:

A transfer tunnel. An inlet pumping station. Inlet works screening. Primary settlement. Activated sludge treatment. Final settlement. Tertiary treatment of final effluent. Chemical dosing facilities. Storm storage tanks. Import cess and sludge facilities. A new control centre. New welfare building. Outfall into the River Wey.

A detailed description of the process and assets being installed is set out in the previous Water Projects article published in 2023.

Timeline Phase 1: Ground improvement: Started summer 2023 and completed February 2025 Phase 2: Civil engineering: Started summer 2023 with completion due in late 2025. Phase 3: Mechanical & electrical engineering: Started autumn 2024 and is due to complete summer 2026. Phase 4: Commissioning: Starts winter 2025 and is due to complete in spring 2027. [caption id="attachment_26883" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 4: 3D model of the sludge processing area - Courtesy of BAM Enpure JV & Arcadis[/caption] Developing the site

The new site comes with additional challenges in that it is brownfield site formerly used for gravel extraction and then landfilled through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, with mainly domestic and some commercial waste. The site is classified as a waste development such that the local planning authority is Surrey County Council (SCC).

The planning permission granted was subject to a number of conditions and commitments, not only relating to the siting and development of the STW itself such as visual impact, odour, noise and traffic generation, but also to the remediation and reuse of the landfill site. Plans and construction methods needed to ensure that there was no temporary or permanent environmental damage to the surrounding area as a result of the impact on or disturbance of the buried waste material and that operatives working on the new STW were protected from any ill effects of the landfill during operation of the site. The landfill also poses particular constraints and hazards during the construction phase.

The strategy for the site was to leave as much of the landfill waste in situ and build above and through the waste. A detailed remediation strategy formed part of the planning requirements. The plan set out how the construction and operation phases of the project would manage issues of ground water and ground gas, potential ground water contamination and leachates, contaminated solid material including asbestos, and short- and longer-term settlement of the landfill.

Dan Russell’s case study in Water Projects 2023 provided a detailed description of the use of a combination of ground improvement and foundation techniques, which consisted of:

Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) to improve ground strength and reduce long-term settlement of the landfill. Vertical Rigid Inclusions (VRI), a displacement concrete pile technique which provided support for roads, lighter structures pipes and ducts. Driven concrete piles bedded in the London Clay below the land fill to support large structures, tanks and pipelines.

Figures 5 (below) show the historic gravel extraction map and depth of landfill determined by ground investigation - both images were extracted from the project’s Detailed Remediation Strategy.

[caption id="attachment_26880" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figures 5: (left) Spatial variation in landfill thickness 2023 and (right) historic site layout (1976) with present day boreholes overlaid - Courtesy of Arcadis[/caption]

However, the impact of the waste material goes beyond its bearing capacity. The site was already being subject to long term monitoring for ground gas and groundwater quality by Thames Water to provide a baseline for the project. Additional boreholes were sunk and a Groundwater & Ground Gas Monitoring Plan was approved by the local authority. Daily and continuous automatic remote monitoring was undertaken during the ground improvement and excavation phases with trigger levels set and exceedances reported back to SCC and a requirement for quarterly summary reporting. Monitoring will continue during commissioning of the site at less frequent intervals.

Asbestos: Asbestos had been discovered in a third of samples taken during the ground investigation and so a monitoring regime was established. Air sampling around the perimeter of the site ensured any airborne particles were detected and works could be stopped if necessary. Proximity asbestos monitoring and identification of asbestos material in excavation has also been used extensively during excavation across the site. The project used Socotec to undertake asbestos monitoring and testing.

Ground gas: A ground gas protection design has been necessary to reduce risk of ground gas entering occupied buildings, kiosks, tanks and chambers where operational or maintenance access is undertaken. A ground gas design protection strategy was set out by Arcadis with PAGeo Contracting Ltd providing expert advice and a detailed ground gas design, PAGeo then supplied gas dispersal matting, venting components and gas membranes. Both the strategy and the detailed design for ground gas protection have been submitted to and approved by SCC.

Independent verification of the gas protection installation has been provided by MTS Ltd as verification of the installation and subsequent reporting to SCC is a planning condition.

[caption id="attachment_26872" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 6: Gas protection void former being laid on stone blanket prior to tank base blinding, Connections to vents at tank perimeter - Courtesy of BAM[/caption]

Surface drainage: On-site surface drainage has been carefully designed such that new impermeable areas are positively drained to the site drainage system to remove the risk of a spill causing environmental pollution. This surface water is then fed into the inlet pumping station for processing through the works. As the permeable area of the site has been greatly reduced this also significantly reduces leachate mobilisation.

Biodiversity: Another planning condition is the provision of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). In conjunction with GBC, the project provides 10% net biodiversity gain by use of on-site planting and off-site enhancement of the land directly to the north of the new STW. A Site of Natural Green Space, biodiversity enhancements to an area of farmland, and a marshy meadow along the River Wey are being provided.

The Environment Agency have also constructed a new fish pass in this area allowing fish to migrate around Old Bucks Weir.

Guildford STW: Civils works supply chain - key participants

Main contractor: Bam Nuttall Ltd Planning consultant: Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd Civil engineering design: Arcadis Group Ltd Boreholes & testing: Geo-Environmental Services Ltd Asbestos monitoring: Socotec Ltd Rapid impact compaction: Cofra Ltd (Boskalis Group) Vertical rigid inclusions: Foundation Piling Ltd Concrete piling: Aarsleff Ground Engineering Ltd Temporary works specialist: Mabey Hire Ltd Temporary works specialist: MGF Ltd Tunnels & shafts: Joseph Gallagher Ltd In situ concrete works: Kelly Formwork Ltd In situ concrete works: DJ Civils Ltd Precast concrete manufacturer: FLI Precast Solutions Precast concrete manufacturer: A-Consult Ltd Pipe supplier: Electrosteel Castings (UK) Ltd Pipe supplier: Saint Gobain PAM UK Soil processing: Remediation Waste Management Services Concrete supplier: Heidelberg Materials Gas protection: PAGeo Contracting Ltd Gas protection system installation verification: MTS Ltd [caption id="attachment_26876" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 7: Sludge processing area: MCC kiosk (grey in foreground), sludge blending tanks (top left), poly dosing kiosks (top right) - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Overview of project progress

As of summer 2025, civils works are nearing completion and MEICA fit out has started.

The installation of piled supports has been undertaken, and all major structures are complete. Installation of the below-ground pipework and buried ducting is in progress and the welfare building is watertight and available for equipment installation. Moving towards installation of MEICA equipment, the water testing of structures started in the February of 2025.

Steel staircases and high-level walkways are mostly complete. The inlet screens and grit removal system are in place. GRP tanks for sludge processing are being installed and many control kiosks are in place. Electrical supply buildings are near completion.

MEICA work commenced in February 2025, overlapping with completion of civils to maximise programme efficiencies. Designed alongside the civils elements of the site, the MEICA installation has taken place apace with the first bridges on the final settlement tanks attached, the larger glass coated steel tanks for the sludge area in place, and generators and some kiosks have been installed.

BAM has started the installation of the above-ground pipework and cable pulling in buried ducts, and the fit out of control rooms will commence shortly. Construction of MCC basements has been completed and two of the three MCC kiosk, and power supply and distribution works are nearing completion.

[caption id="attachment_26878" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 8: Sludge processing area: (left) the bases for elevated cake silos, (middle), sludge belt presses, and (right) the poly prep & dosing kiosks - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Guildford STW: MEICA works supply chain - key participants Main designer/contractor: Enpure Ltd CFD analysis: The Fluid Group Cake silo: Saxlund International PST scrapers & ferric dosing plant: Colloide Inlet works & PST odour covers: Power Plastics Ltd Grit remover plant: Jacopa Escalator screens: Longwood Engineering Imported sludge Strainpress: Huber Technology Sludge thickening & dewatering: Kent Stainless Ltd Odour control plant: Odour Services International Ltd FBDA grids & blowers: Xylem Water Solutions Cloth pile filters: Eliquo Hydrok Ltd Storm tank cleaning system: Sulzer Pumps Wastewater Ltd Tank logging system (WASP): JR Pridham Services Ltd Glass lined steel tanks: Balmoral Tanks Ltd Sludge tank mixing: Landia UK Ltd Tunnel

A 1.5m diameter gravity tunnel, 1.5km long, transfers flows from the existing works and intercepts minor sewers en route. There are six shafts along the tunnel route, some of which act as junctions between the new tunnel and the existing sewers. Shafts were sunk by Joseph Gallagher using the caisson method and the tunnel was driven between them using a full-face tunnel boring machine, (named Daphne by a local school). The tunnel and shafts were completed in 2024 and the final work remaining are the completion of the large inlet pumping station (IPS), shaft (E2) at the new works and connection of Guildford’s main sewer to the head of the tunnel, which will allow all flows to be diverted to the new tunnel.

[caption id="attachment_26873" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 9: (top left) 3D model of the Inlet Pumping Station (IPS) - Courtesy of Arcadis, (bottom left): steel fixing to IPS internal walls - Courtesy of BAM Enpure JV, and (right): IPS shaft construction - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Inlet pumping station

The new inlet pumping station (IPS) is a 12.5m diameter shaft with a depth of 17m, which houses six pumps with the capacity to lift flows of around 2,500 l/s from the tunnel entry, at the base of the shaft, to the inlet works where all flows are screened. The shaft is complete except for the internal walls and installation of penstocks which allow isolation of half the well at any time for maintenance of the pumps. This will be completed in the autumn of this year.

Storm tanks & inlet works

Two storm tanks provide a combined capacity of approximately 8 million litres to which flow can be diverted to temporarily hold sewage arriving at the new works should flows exceed the capacity of the works. Constructed onto in situ bases, the walls of the storm tanks were prefabricated, placed and post-tensioned by A Consult Ltd.

The inlet works and larger chambers were entirely cast in situ due to lack of repeatable sections and logistics. In situ concrete work for these was undertaken by Kelly Formwork. The inlet screens have been installed and walkways are in place.

[caption id="attachment_26874" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 10: Circular precast storm tanks and Inlet works (August 2025) - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Primary settlement, activated sludge plant & final settlement tanks

Screened flows from the inlet works will then pass through primary and secondary treatment tanks comprising rectangular primary settlement tanks (PSTs) and activated sludge plant (ASP) tanks. The walls for these tanks were designed and supplied by FLI Precast Solutions Ltd and installed by BAM and DJ Civils Ltd on in situ bases prepared by Kelly Formwork Ltd. These tanks are complete with pipework being fitted and the ASP has commenced water testing.

To ensure watertightness of the larger rectangular tanks, Heidelberg Materials and Sika’s concrete technology were used.

Concrete containing Sika WT-200 P was utilised for the PSTs and the ASP. Sika WT-200 P is a combined water-resisting and crystalline waterproofing admixture used to reduce the permeability of concrete, making it suitable for water retaining structures.

Gas protection has been laid under all large tanks. Materials were supplied by PAGeotechnial Ltd and verified by MSL Ltd. Void former mating laid on a bed of single grade 40mm stone provides a preferential escape path for ground gases and is connected to vents at the tanks periphery allowing ground gases to vent to atmosphere.

These tanks are not habitable spaces and only require a dispersal system to discourage any build-up of gas below the large tank bases.

[caption id="attachment_26875" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 11: From top: Activated sludge plant, primary settlement tank, and two of the four final settlement tanks - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Final settlement tanks

The four final settlement tanks were also precast, supplied, installed and post-tensioned by A-Consult Ltd onto in situ bases prepared by Kelly Formwork Ltd. The FSTs are complete with bridges and scrapers installed and are currently being water tested.

Tertiary treatment plant & outfall

Following final settlement, flows will pass through final filtration in the tertiary treatment plant before being discharged to the River Wey via new, twin outfall pipes. Civil construction is complete and MEICA installation of cloth pile filters and drums from Eliquo Hydrok Ltd is underway.

The outfall pipework has been fully installed across the water meadow and the headwall has been constructed at the discharge point into the River Wey.

[caption id="attachment_26877" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 12: Tertiary treatment plant construction (August 2025) - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] Sludge processing

The project also provides a dewatering facility for imported sludge from other small treatment works. This area is nearing completion with the larger coated glass sludge blending tanks in place and the smaller buffer tanks being installed. Gas vent pipes have been installed below the extensive concrete slabs to allow venting of ground gases to the atmosphere.

The sludge belt presses from Kent Stainless Ltd for sludge dewatering and thickening have been installed adjacent to the bases for the elevated sludge cake silos. The silos from Saxlund International have been sized to provide storage of seven days’ worth of processed sludge, which can be discharged to trucks for export from site.

Power & control

Power supply and distribution infrastructure is now in place. The three MCCs have been constructed in sequence and the first two are being fitted out.

Welfare building

A new welfare building houses the automated systems for running the new plant and controlling effluent quality as well as office and mess space for Thames Water staff and operatives. The building is watertight with cladding being installed and the fit out of building fixtures and plant control equipment is in progress.

[caption id="attachment_26871" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Figure 13: Welfare building housing plant control systems - Courtesy of BAM[/caption] 3D modelling

Design has utilised a 3D model hosted by Arcadis with each designer adding in modelling information as their design capabilities have allowed. This has enabled precise integration of designers individual input and interrogation of the integrated design

The model is used extensively by engineers on site. 3D modelling has, for example, allowed duct chambers to be precast with precision positioning of cable openings, saving on in situ working and substantially reducing programme on these installations.

Piling & ground improvement

To enable the STW to be constructed on the site without the waste being removed a combination of ground improvement techniques have been employed including driven concrete piles, Rapid Impact Compaction, and Vertical Rigid Inclusions.

The Rapid Impact Compaction work undertaken by Cofra was completed in late summer of 2023. From July 2023 to the spring of 2024, to support the larger structures, tanks and main process critical pipelines, 3500 concrete piles were driven through the landfill into the clay. The design and installation of this piling operation was undertaken by Aarsleff Ground Engineering.

[caption id="attachment_16135" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (left) Driving precast concrete piles and (right)Vertical Rigid Inclusion installation - Courtesy of Bam Nuttall Ltd[/caption]

In areas where settlement criteria were less critical, but needed controlling (for example roadways and minor pipework), a Vertical Ridged Inclusion (VRI) piling technique was used. The system involves displacement drilling a column in the landfill and filling the void with concrete. This works by consolidating the soil around the pile, transferring load to lower layers, thus increasing bearing capacity and reducing settlement over time.

Since 2024 the installation of VRIs by Foundation Piling has been completed with 7500 inclusions installed across the site. During detailed design, the project was able to remove the need for a load transfer platform above the VRIs across much of the site. This was done by detailed analysis of the 3D model to target differing requirements for support and by reducing inclusion spacings, thereby reducing the expected landfill removal by 37,500m3.

The load transfer platform remains below roads, but pipework sits within the grid of VRIs.

The year ahead

Completion of the mechanical works is expected in the first part of 2026 with installation of electrical and control systems expected to complete in the second part of 2026. Dry and wet commissioning will be undertaken sequentially across the site throughout the coming year, ensuring the new works is ready to commence process commissioning.

The final, and arguably most challenging activity, will be to connect the existing sewer network to the new tunnel, diverting flows from the existing STW to the new STW. A series of interventions will be required to intercept the various sewers, along the route of the tunnel, all the whilst ensuring the new STW is performing within strict limits and the existing STW is able to maintain its performance during the ramp down of flows.

As part of the UK government’s Green Recovery programme, Severn Trent initiated a series of transformative projects aimed at enhancing river water quality and ecological health. Among these, the deployment of ozone treatment technology at Frankton, Itchen Bank, and Ludlow Sewage Treatment Works marked a pioneering step in UK wastewater management. Delivered under the Bathing Rivers initiative, the ozone scheme targeted the reduction of faecal indicator bacteria and micro-pollutants in final effluent, with the goal of improving river water quality in the River Leam and River Teme catchments by March 2025. The scheme introduced ozone disinfection as an additional treatment stage at the end of the sewage treatment process. Ozone is already widely used in drinking water treatment across Europe but this is the first time it has been trialed in wastewater treatment in the UK. Technical overview of ozone treatment

The ozone treatment systems installed at Frankton, Itchen Bank, and Ludlow STWs were designed to deliver high-efficiency disinfection while maintaining operational safety and adaptability. Each site features three ozone contact tanks arranged in series, forming a single downward-flow water path.

Ozone (O3) gas is introduced via ceramic dome diffusers at the base of the first two tanks, creating a cloud of fine bubbles that maximises the surface area for gas-liquid interaction. This counter-current flow (water moving downward while ozone bubbles rise) enhances mass transfer efficiency and ensures thorough mixing.

[caption id="attachment_26787" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Installation at Ludlow STW - Courtesy of Severn Trent[/caption] The third contact tank provides an extended reaction time, allowing any residual ozone to complete its disinfection process before effluent discharge. To prevent environmental harm, excess ozone is captured in sealed airspaces and directed to destructors via vacuum pipework. These destructors use catalytic conversion to break down ozone safely, with the resulting air vented at high level outside the containerised plant.

Each site’s ozone dosing is governed by a dual-mode control system. In fixed dosing mode, operators can set a constant ozone dose proportional to flow, typically within the 1–7 mg/l range. During commissioning, a 2 mg/l dose was identified as optimal for achieving target water quality. Adaptive control allows the plant to respond dynamically to changes in effluent quality, maintaining treatment efficacy while minimising ozone consumption.

Safety was a core design principle. Each contact tank was equipped with anti-siphon loops, non-return valves, and water-in-pipe detectors to prevent back flow and ensure safe operation. The ozone plants were housed in pre-assembled containers with integrated gas monitoring systems, enabling rapid deployment and minimising on-site construction. These modular units also facilitated maintenance and future scalability. Ozone gas monitors are a required item of personal protective equipment for operatives of the ozone plants.

Site information

Frankton STW, located in Warwickshire, is a biofilter works with chemical dosing for phosphate removal. The ozone plant was integrated with a tertiary solids removal (TSR) system to meet suspended solids requirements. The ozone systems at all three sites include two generators and three contact tanks, with a target dose range of 1–7 mg/l.

The integration of ozone treatment at the sites required careful coordination with existing infrastructure and process flows. The TSR unit plays a critical role in preparing the final effluent for ozone contact by reducing suspended solids to below 25 mg/l, the threshold necessary for effective ozone transfer and reaction. The ozone plant is housed in modular, containerised units, allowing for rapid installation and minimal disruption to site operations. These units include built-in safety systems such as gas detectors, sealed airspaces, and automated destructors to manage residual ozone.

The Itchen Bank and Ludlow ozone plants operate in the same way as Frankton’s except they are fed by liquid oxygen, as opposed to compressed air at Frankton.

The system includes safeguards such as anti-siphon loops, non-return valves, and residual ozone monitors. The destructors featured pre-heaters and catalytic converters to safely break down residual ozone before venting. The system is fully automated, with built-in fault detection and bypass capabilities to maintain operational continuity. The plant’s design emphasised safety, efficiency, and adaptability, contributing to improved effluent quality and reduced environmental impact.

[caption id="attachment_26791" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Tank installation at Itchen Bank - Courtesy of Severn Trent[/caption] Ozone Treatment Plants: Supply chain - key participants Civil engineering & groundworks: Kier Ozone plant supplier: Curio Group Liquid oxygen supplier: Air Products Monitoring & compliance

Each site will follow a rigorous monitoring protocol over a two-year trial period. Spot sampling for E.Coli and Enterococci will be conducted fortnightly, with continuous monitoring of ozone dose, concentration, and residual levels. Action limits were defined for by-products such as bromate, with automatic shutdown protocols in place. Data will be submitted quarterly to the Environment Agency, with a final report due after 24 months.

Environmental outcomes

The ozone treatment trials delivered measurable improvements in final effluent quality across all three sites, with expectation to significantly reducing concentrations of faecal indicator bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococci, as well as trace pharmaceuticals including carbamazepine and metformin. These reductions directly contribute to enhanced river health in the Leam and Teme catchments, supporting aquatic biodiversity and improving conditions for river recreational use.

By removing contaminants that are typically resistant to conventional treatment methods, ozone disinfection helps to mitigate risks to both human health and sensitive fluvial ecosystems. The improved effluent quality also reduces the impact of final effluent discharges, aligning with the goals of the Bathing Rivers programme and supporting compliance with emerging water quality standards.

The modular design of the ozone plants, pre-assembled in shipping containers, enabled rapid deployment and minimised disruption to existing site operations. This approach not only reduced construction time and carbon footprint but also provided a scalable model for future installations. The closed-loop ozone systems, equipped with real-time monitoring and automated destructors, ensures safe operation.

Together, these outcomes demonstrate how advanced oxidation technology can be harnessed to deliver tangible environmental benefits, setting a precedent for innovation in wastewater treatment across the UK.

[caption id="attachment_26790" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (left) Frankton STW ozone treatment plant from Curio Group and (right) liquid oxygen storage tank from Air Products at Itchen Bank STW - Courtesy of Severn Trent[/caption] Innovation & impact

These projects were not only the first of their kind in UK wastewater treatment marking a milestone in environmental engineering. The projects showcased how advanced oxidation processes can be safely and effectively integrated into existing infrastructureand the use of modular, containerised ozone plants allowed for rapid deployment with minimal disruption.

Conclusion

The ozone treatment projects at Frankton, Itchen Bank, and Ludlow STWs exemplify technical excellence, environmental stewardship, and innovative thinking. By improving final effluent quality and river health, Severn Trent Water has set a new benchmark for sustainable wastewater management. This submission highlights the transformative potential of ozone technology and its role in achieving cleaner, safer water for all.

From an ecological perspective, the reduction of faecal indicator bacteria and pharmaceuticals in final effluent is having a measurable impact on river health. The improved water quality supports biodiversity, enhances recreational value, and contributes to long-term resilience in the River Leam and River Teme catchments.

The rigorous monitoring and compliance framework, ensures that environmental protection remains central throughout the trial.

Ultimately, the success of these ozone treatment schemes reflects Severn Trent’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. By pushing the boundaries of conventional wastewater treatment, the programme has delivered lasting benefits for communities, ecosystems, and the wider water industry.