Becoming Wastewater Smart
A 2H Water Technologies’ BIOdek trickling filter solution helped Thames Water’s Wheatley municipal sewage wastewater treatment plant meet Asset Standards and GUARANTEED:
- 100 % Consent COMPLIANCE
- Removal of 75% of BOD passing through the works
- Better capacity for the down-stream rock trickling filters, settlement tanks and sand filters
- A resilient, sustainable future
THAMES WATER: “RESPONSIBLE CUSTODIANS OF THE WATER CYCLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT”
Thames Water is the UK’s largest provider of water and wastewater services with 15 million customers across London, the Thames Valley and surrounding areas:
- 91 water systems
- 31,000km of water network
- 26 raw water reservoirs
- 2,530 pumping stations
- 1.2 million manholes
- 109,000 km of sewer pipes
- 350 plus sewage/wastewater treatment works
PLANT LOCATION: WHEATLEY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, OXFORDSHIRE
The plant is located in Wheatley, which is described as a “large village”, located in a valley off the River Thame (a tributary of the River Thames), c. 6 miles east of Oxford.
The challenges posed by dealing with population growth and climate change, which is reshaping the provision of key services across South East of England, are particularly acute in Oxfordshire. While it is still described as a “village”, Wheatley’s proximity to Oxford (and all points South) makes it a very attractive location for commuters. As the housing stock and population in Wheatley – and neighbouring areas such as Holton which is home to part of the Oxford Brookes university campus – has grown, so too has the demand for essential services. Wheatley’s location, on a flood plain close to the Rivers Thame and Thames, adds to the burden on water and wastewater service provision.
MANAGING THE TRANSITION, DELIVERING RESULTS
Before the scheme update, temporary SAF units were installed on site to ensure the PLANT continued to meet 3.0 ammonia consent levels. On completion – and with ammonia levels in the final effluent less than 0.1 – both temporary SAFs were removed.
SHORT TERM NEEDS, LONGER TERM GOALS
The Wheatley plant had a number of immediate problems:
- Insufficient capacity to deal with increased loads
- Ageing equipment
- And, most importantly, the plant was unable to meet current consents
Looking longer term, Thames Water is committed to investing in innovative, sustainable infrastructure and wastewater treatment plant that ensures its customers benefit from a safe, dependable and resilient wastewater service which also protects and enhances the environment.
COMPLETE SOLUTION, GUARANTEED RESULT
2H designed, manufactured and supplied the components for a new Trickling Filter measuring 15.3m in diameter with Media (shallow bed) 2.4m deep.
MEDIA
443m3 BIOdek KFP619 structured PP (polypropylene) plastic media – (150m2/m3).
Because its’ built from BIOdek structured plastic media, the trickling filter meets Thames Water’s requirement for an energy – efficient, sustainable and resilient solution to the demands of a high-pressure environment with heavy effluent loads and stringent discharge consents.
CONCRETE MEDIA SUPPORT TILES
2H purpose-built the shallow-bed media support system using high-strength, long-life, concrete tiles which provide better drainage and are more effective resistance to corrosion than concrete blocks.
EQUIFLO ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR
The customised Equiflo rotary distributor, which has tubular top discharge arms manufactured in 304 stainless steel, is capable of handling 35l/s. The distributor has a motor/gearbox speed controller and an automatic disengage to allow the unit to run on hydraulic reaction drive in case of motor failure.
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
2H Water Technologies discussed a number of alternative approaches with Thames Water to ensure the trickling filter solution not only met the company’s Asset Standards but would also deliver guaranteed performance and results.
2H also worked with expert partners on the installation:
- The glass coated steel tank and GMS access stair were supplied and installed by Stortec Tanks.
- The modular BIOdek media media support system and Equiflo distributor were installed by Bagnall Construction.
TWO YEARS ON .. RESULTS THAT CONTINUE TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS ..
Since going live, the purpose-built BIOdek Trickling Filter solution has continued to exceed expectations by:
- Removing more than 75 per cent of BOD
- Achieving ammonia levels of 1 mg per litre in the final effluent
The 2H Water Technologies Trickling Filter solution has delivered on all Thames Water’s objectives by ensuring the Wheatley plant:
- Hits the company’s 100 per cent compliance target with ammonia and BOD levels “not experienced for a long time” and “very safely below the required consent levels”.
- Meets Thames Water’s commitment to safeguarding the local water environment.