Pioneering water treatment could clean up rivers
In a first for the UK, a water treatment technique that could create more bathing rivers is being trialled by water utility Severn Trent.
Ozone wastewater disinfection works by oxidising contaminants to clean wastewater to the highest possible standard, before the water is returned to the river in its most natural state. The approach will be used to improve the health of rivers in Warwickshire and Shropshire in a move that could help revolutionise the future of wastewater treatment.
Ozone is a naturally occurring gas and one of nature’s most powerful oxidisers - one example is when iron is oxidised, it becomes rust. In water treatment, ozone reduces contaminants through its oxidative strength - reacting with other substances and accepting their electrons.
"Innovation is a crucial part of our green recovery programme and we are excited about sharing the findings of this trial – the potential impact is vast.”
The ozone gas is created in an ozone generator and injected into water. It immediately starts oxidising and eliminating contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and metals by weakening and killing their cells, eliminating the troublesome contaminants.
The water company says this technology may also eliminate trace pharmaceuticals and personal care products found in wastewater too.
Ozone treatment will be installed at three wastewater treatment sites in Warwickshire and Ludlow as part of Severn Trent's £78 million Bathing Rivers project, which involves improving over 50km of river and executing the industry’s largest monitoring programme. The rivers Leam, Teme and Avon will benefit and the trial will also reinforce the company’s commitment to Get River Positive, by ensuring 90% of people in England's Midlands live within an hour’s drive of a bathing water site by 2030.
Severn Trent also plans to develop a platform to share real-time data, providing bathers with the latest river quality data.
Wilfred Denga, Severn Trent Bathing Rivers lead, said, “We are committed to restoring and revitalising rivers and are delighted to announce that we are trialling the use of groundbreaking ozone technology. This a huge step forward for the industry – we need to work together to protect communities, wildlife and future generations.
"Innovation is a crucial part of our Green Recovery programme and we are excited about sharing the findings of this trial – the potential impact is vast.”