Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Catchment modelling of phosphorus for wastewater treatment

WRc combines catchment modelling of phosphorus with cost-benefit analysis to inform PR19 investment planning and ensuring environmental compliance for a water utility client.

More on how we target water pollution at its source

Delivered

a software solution that provided the client with cost-benefit ratios for potential phosphorus permits at over 70 wastewater treatment works

Enabled

use of software with the facility to update costs with new information, allowing the client to undertake future economic analysis

Facilitated

a more targeted PR19 programme to achieve phosphorus compliance by meeting Water Framework Directive targets, where it was deemed feasible

UK Water and Sewerage Company (WaSC)

Water and wastewater services are provided by multiple different water companies operating across different regions of the UK, each providing services for up to 15 million customers each.

Water companies are regulated by government authorities such as Ofwat, and laws such as the Water Framework Directive to ensure the quality of surface waters.

The Challenge

In 2017, a water utility commissioned WRc to assess the water quality benefits and associated wastewater treatment costs of implementing more stringent phosphorus wastewater treatment works permit limits to meet Water Framework Directive targets in the south of England. The aim was to assess the costs and benefits for a range of permitting scenarios, to identify a cost beneficial programme of investments.


The Solution

“What if” scenario modelling 

Forecasts of river quality enhancement were produced by running SIMCAT models in several different permit setting scenario modes. These included a best feasible effluent quality scenario, to reflect the practicable limits of treatment performance. One scenario also included feasible (e.g. 10%) reductions in diffuse agricultural phosphorus loadings, and identified opportunities to partially offset permit tightening by targeting agricultural inputs.

Cost benefit analysis

WRc used the scenario modelling to produce a Cost-Benefit Analysis software solution that enabled the client to assess the likely impacts of potential PR19 phosphorus limits at over 70 wastewater treatment works. The solution took the outputs from the catchment modelling – expressed as permit limits for four scenarios and the associated kilometres of river with improved phosphorus status – and combined them with forecasts of the wastewater treatment works CAPEX and OPEX associated with each permit limit. The water quality benefits of phosphorus enhancement were monetised in line with the Environment Agency’s Water Appraisal Guidance for valuing environmental and social impacts, and divided by the forecast treatment costs to estimate a benefit-to-cost ratio for each wastewater treatment works.

Research and assessment driven by environmental evidence
Carbon-efficient, waste-neutral and and cost-effective solutions through informed prediction
Tools that enable clients to proactively monitor and influence developments
Achievement through industry-wide collaboration and parnerships

Delivered

a software solution that provided the client with cost-benefit ratios for potential phosphorus permits at over 70 wastewater treatment works

Ensured

use of software with the facility to update costs with new information, allowing the client to undertake future economic analysis

Facilitated

a more targeted PR19 programme to achieve phosphorus compliance by meeting Water Framework Directive targets, where it was deemed feasible

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Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

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