It is part of the ‘most important programme of environmental investment in England’
Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Water company United Utilities wants to build a phosphorus recovery and removal plant at its Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works in order to reduce the foul odours emitted.
The planning application submitted to Trafford council is aimed at satisfying a Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) regulatory date set by the Environment Agency of December 2028.
It is understood to be the ‘most important programme of environmental investment (£22.1bn) in England’, according to planning documents tabled by professional services specialist WSP on behalf of UU.
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“The programme includes a specific requirement for phosphorus reduction to be achieved at over 800 wastewater treatment works nationwide, including Davyhulme WwTW, via upgrades to the systems in order to mitigate the effects of eutrophication (phosphorus removal),” the documents say.
UU says the proposed development will remove up to 85 per cent of the phosphorus from the final effluent using a technology which allows the phosphorus recovered to be transformed into pellets which can be used as fertiliser in the agriculture industry.
If it is approved, construction of the plant will take three years, starting in October this year and concluding by the December 31 2028 WINEP compliance date.
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“It will satisfy the requirement to prevent deterioration in phosphorus concentrations in the [nearby] Manchester Ship Canal by reducing the phosphorus loading on the treatment works,” planning documents say.
“This is the first step of a [lan to meet the longer-term Environment Act 2021 phosphorus target of 0.25mg/l by March 31 2035.”
The submission concluded by saying: “The proposed development will significantly enhance the treated flows from Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, ensuring environmental benefits downstream, from the removal of significant amounts of phosphorus from the environment.”
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