Severn Trent to trial pioneering ozone technology in a UK first for bathing rivers

Severn Trent is trialling the use of ozone disinfectant to create bathing rivers in the UK in a move that could help revolutionise the future of wastewater treatment.

In what is believed to be a UK first, ozone treatment will be used to improve the health of rivers in Warwickshire and Shropshire.

Despite rivers in the Severn Trent region being the healthiest they have ever been, the trial of this pioneering technology will further help bolster the company’s commitment to cause no harm to rivers by 2030.

Ozone wastewater disinfection technology works by cleaning wastewater to the highest possible standard, before being returned to the river in its most natural state.

It is hoped that the trial will help shape the future of wastewater treatment across the industry, and the UK more broadly, as this technology may also eliminate pharmaceuticals and personal care products that can be found in wastewater.

Severn Trent will be installing ozone treatment at three waste treatment sites in Warwickshire and Ludlow. It will be part of its £78m Bathing Rivers project which involves improving over 50km of river and executing the industry’s largest monitoring programme that will benefit the River Leam, Teme and Avon. The trial will also reinforce the company’s commitment to Get River Positive by ensuring 90% of people in the Midlands live within an hour’s drive of a bathing water site by 2030.

This is part of a broader water industry focus on further reinforcing the UK’s position as a leading European country on river quality. According to European Environment Agency and drawing on measures included in the EU’s Water Framework Directive, such as levels of phosphate and nitrates, the UK sits ahead of countries including France, Germany and The Netherlands when it comes to river health. This reflects the higher levels of treatment and contaminate removal at UK wastewater treatment works versus European peers.

Further evidence of Severn Trent’s focus on educating communities is reflected in its plans to develop a platform to share real-time data, providing bathers with the latest river quality data.

Wilfred Denga, Severn Trent Bathing Rivers lead, said:

“We are committed to restoring and revitalising rivers and are delighted to announce that we are trialling the use of ground-breaking ozone technology. This a huge step forward for the industry – we need to work together to protect communities, wildlife and future generations. Innovation is a crucial part of our Green Recovery programme, and we are excited about sharing the findings of this trial – the potential impact is vast.”

NEWS CATEGORIES

LATEST NEWS

EFRA Committee Chair concerned about Thames Water bosses commitment to transparency and accountability after evidence session

Following this morning's evidence session with Thames Water bosses, Alistair Carmichael has expressed concern about the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability to its...

Dame Glenys Stacey to step down as Chair of the OEP

Dame Glenys Stacey has announced that she will not be seeking reappointment as Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection when her term ends...

Water professionals encouraged “to be the agents for change” at British Water’s 2025 Spring Reception

Water sector professionals need to use their expertise “to be the agents for change”. That was the message coming from a keynote delivered by...

New report lifts lid on workplace culture in the utilities sector

A new research based report launched in May reveals a complex picture of the current state of leadership and culture in the utilities...