Yorkshire Water deploys water treatment by product to cut phosphorus in wastewater

Yorkshire Water has reported improvements in water quality in the river Holme near Holmfirth, using a by-product of the drinking water treatment process to help reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the river from its Neiley wastewater treatment works.

Neiley wastewater treatment works is making use of an iron-enriched by-product of the water treatment process from nearby Holmebridge. The iron combines with the phosphorus and removes “without the need for costly chemical dosing at the wastewater treatment works,” said Yorkshire Water.

The water firm said work to implement the new process is underway and is due to be completed in August 2024.

Tr reported that it has worked with the Environment Agency throughout the process, and claimed “the success of the project has led to the first ever operating techniques agreement between the Environment Agency and a water company, enabling Yorkshire Water to make further adjustments at Neiley to maintain and, in some cases, overperform.