Technology from wastewater treatment specialist WPL has been selected by Scottish Water to deliver enhanced ammonia removal at a village treatment works.
Tightening environmental consents and an increasing population has led the public utility to upgrade Ferniegair wastewater treatment works in South Lanarkshire.
The site has a tight footprint and is in close proximity to housing, both important factors considered early in the project design phase, which was carried out by WGM Engineering Ltd. The site serves a population equivalent of 2,000, including new housing.
WPL will provide one Hybrid-SAF™ (submerged aerated filter) treatment unit, housed in a steel above-ground container to deliver additional ammonia removal at the plant. To enable the WPL Hybrid-SAF to be gravity-fed, avoiding the need for costly and energy-intensive pumping, the unit will be positioned downstream of existing SAF units and upstream of the site’s final settlement tanks.
The patented WPL Hybrid SAF treatment process creates a recirculating flow pattern as wastewater passes through the submerged moving media bed. The high media fill rate of 90-95% and enhanced distribution mean a more open-structured, neutrally buoyant media can be used, which reduces both the risk of the media fouling and the energy required to maintain a constant scour.
The modular nature of WPL Hybrid-SAF units also supports ease of installation where access and site footprint is constrained. This site had limited space for new equipment even with relocation of existing blowers factored in by project designers.
WPL Utility Manager, Andrew Haywood said: “As a framework supplier to Scottish Water, we are pleased to have been awarded this contract to help futureproof Ferniegair wastewater treatment works, enabling it to serve a growing population while maintaining environmental compliance.
Scottish Water Project Manager, Richard Morris said: “This is an important scheme which will deliver enhanced ammonia removal at our Ferniegair treatment works. WPL is a framework supplier whose technology will have a key role in the site maintaining compliance.”
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