Proceedings

The Water Framework Directive (WFD), in its drive to improve and maintain the “good” status of watercourses, has challenged the UK Water Industry in AMP6 to meet low Total Phosphorus (TP) permits. The TP permits have been typically 1 or 2 mg/l on an annual average basis, however, TP limits less than 1 mg/l have been implemented in AMP6.

Southern Water was faced with the challenge of meeting very low phosphorus levels for WwTWs discharging to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) providing the habitat for important wetland flora and fauna communities.

After a global technology scan and further investigation by Southern Water Engineering Team, a high rate clarification process known as Actiflo® was selected for a trial at a WwTW. Technology previously established in the UK for clean water applications, trials were performed at Hailsham South WwTW as a tertiary phosphorus removal with support of our partners.