Innovative alternative to septic tanks is a European first for United Utilities

A rural wastewater treatment works in Cheshire has become the first in Europe to benefit from the introduction of an innovative low carbon, chemical-free treatment process.

The new technology will play an important role in enhancing water quality in the River Weaver by reducing phosphorus from the water that is released from Whitegate Wastewater Treatment Works  at the end of the treatment process.

Now fully operational, the newly installed equipment will improve water quality in Pettypool Brook which is a tributary of the River Weaver.

The FujiClean system was developed in Japan to provide an alternative to septic tanks and is typically used for domestic properties and facilities such as camp sites that aren’t connected to a sewer network.

After working with the company to trial the system, United Utilities has become the first water company in Europe to introduce it at small rural wastewater treatment works – and Whitegate is the first to benefit.

Lisa Mansell, Chief Engineer, Innovation and Carbon at United Utilities explained: “We are always looking for ways both to enhance the wastewater treatment process and reduce the use of chemicals, the FujiClean system we have installed at Whitegate does both.

“As well as bacteria to break down the sewage, FujiClean also uses electrodes to remove phosphorus without the need for additional chemicals to be used.

“Being able to deliver chemical-free phosphorus removal at small rural sites is an exciting development. It means that the water that is released from at the end of the treatment process will be much better quality.

“Because the system only needs to be emptied very infrequently, and we won’t need to make chemical deliveries to site, there will be far fewer vehicle movements which is another win for the environment and for the local community who live close to the site.”

 The first two FujiClean CRX units to be used in a live environment have now been installed by United Utilities’ engineering and capital delivery teams at Whitegate and further 11 units are set to be installed at small sites across the region.