PR19 Solutions for removal of priority substances: PRESENTATION ONLY
How, D.1, Piano, E.1, Glancy, V. 1, Bahloul, M. 1 and Hill, M.2, 1Arup, UK, 2Yorkshire Water, UK
(free)
The presence of hazardous substances in natural watercourses is a major global issue which poses a threat on the aquatic environment and potentially human health. As part of the National Environment Programme (NEP) and the PR19 submission, water companies require to demonstrate cost-effective investments for reduction of priority substances to achieve the Water Framework Directive’s good water quality status.
Arup has helped Yorkshire Water with their PR19 submission to understand the necessary measures for reducing current levels of specific priority substances and to help develop costs for upgrading the treatment sites to meet the proposed discharge limits. Viable treatment technologies were explored including those trialled during Chemical Investigation Programme 2 (CIP2) for removal of cypermethrin, diazinon, HBCDD and other dissolved heavy metals. During the study, it became evident that a more flexible and cost-effective approach needed to be taken to achieve extremely low levels of contaminants. Whilst in most cases this can be achieved by carrying out additional sewage treatment, other initiatives such as source management could allow river quality to be improved at lower cost, and bring wider environmental benefits.
Additionally, proposed discharge limits were evaluated against typical values in other sewage works, water supply standards and current detection limits of these substances to understand the challenges in implementing these limits.
