Anglian and Yorkshire invest in phosphorus reduction

Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water have each unveiled projects to reduce phosphorus pollution in wastewater effluent.

Yorkshire is investing £60m at its Knostrop wastewater treatment works to reduce phosphorus levels in treated wastewater released into the river Aire. The plant handles wastewater from almost one million people in Leeds and surrounding areas.

The water firm is installing a biological treatment process, Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal, that harnesses the capacity of various bacteria and other microorganisms to remove phosphorus from the plant’s effluent.

Yorkshire said the project is part of a £790m investment in phosphorus removal by 2025. The upgrade will, according to Yorkshire, ensure the site complies with the Water Framework Directive and reduce levels within the treated wastewater to 0.4 mg/l total phosphorus and 4 mg/l total Iron consent.

Anglian Water is set to upgrade its Osbournby Water Recycling Centre with a £2.9m investment in equipment to remove phosphorus from its wastewater effluent.

Anglian expects work at the site to finish by March 2024.