What is phosphorus?
Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system via domestic toilets, showers and washing machines. It originates from human urine and household products such as shampoos and detergents that contain phosphorus. It can also wash off from agricultural fields after the use of fertilisers and be dissolved from soil, which can be difficult to control. While a small amount of phosphorus is harmless and is an essential part of many ecosystems, excessive amounts can become damaging to the environment.
Our plans for phosphorus removal
Decreasing the phosphorus concentration within the final effluent leaving our wastewater treatment works is a key goal. By 2030, we aim to remove 75% of the phosphorus load from our wastewater treatment works discharges compared to a 2020 baseline. Removing phosphorus from our discharges will reduce the potential for algal blooms to develop, which can cause harmful episodes of eutrophication. This is where excess nutrients (primarily phosphorus and nitrogen) from fertilisers and wastewater enter the water causing the raid growth of algae. When the algae die and decompose, it reduces oxygen in the water which can kill the plants and wildlife that call the river home.
We will achieve this through a mixture of chemical and biological treatment processes, plus the use of nature-based solutions. Over the last five years, we have made significant progress, reducing phosphorus at 80 of our treatment works and decreasing levels by 56 % against the 2020 baseline.
What is WINEP?
The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a program of work that is developed in collaboration between the Environment Agency and the Water Companies. It is the practical implementation of environmental legislation and is refreshed every five years. Each water company has its own WINEP with specific actions and timescales that must be adhered to.
A large portion of the WINEP investment targets phosphorus removal at wastewater treatment sites to improve river water quality and protect the environment. Meeting phosphorus limits in wastewater discharge is a statutory obligation for water companies within the WINEP framework. WINEP aims to reduce phosphorus inputs into the environment by implementing phosphorus removal technologies at numerous wastewater treatment works. Additionally, WINEP involves catchment management schemes, which aim to improve the quality of water entering treatment works by managing sources of phosphorus pollution from the wider environment.
Want to know more about our wastewater treatment process?
Watch our science behind video: