LIFE project The demonstration of high rate enzyme hydrolysis as the safest and most environmentally friendly way to treat sewage for agricultural recycling 

Summary 

Description:         Based in Cheshire (UK), United Utilities Plc is a leading power supplier, and the largest operator of water and wastewater infrastructure in the country. With around 17,000 employees, United Utilities supplies clean water to around 3 million UK households and business premises. It is responsible for maintaining over 600 waste treatment works and around 40,000 km of sewers in the UK. United Utilities also operates in eight other countries, including Poland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Australia and the USA.  

Project Background:  Implementation of the EC Directive on Urban Wastewater Treatment, with its stricter requirements for managing wastewater, has led to a dramatic increase in the production of sewage sludge throughout Europe in the past 15 years. UK production, for example has increased from 5.5 million tonnes in 1992 to nearly 9 million tonnes of dry matter in 2005.  The 6th Environmental Action Programme presented in 2005 by the European Commission and sets out in the long term to help Europe become a recycling society aiming at reducing waste.  However, current sewage sludge treatment technologies are inadequate, and managing its growing supply is a major problem in the EU, especially in the new Member States.                  

Project Objectives:  The project’s overall aim was to demonstrate that a process known as “High Rate Enzyme Hydrolysis” is the safest and most efficient means of treating sewage sludge for land recycling. The soil conditioner or fertilizer resulting from the process is proven to exceed the strictest current and predicted future European safety standards. The project also demonstrates that the Enzyme Hydrolysis technology can easily be retrofitted to existing wastewater treatment plants.  

Project Manager:  Mr. Steve Whipp
Technology Manager: Dr. Son Le
United Utilities - Asset Management and Regulation
Lingley Mere Business Park, Lingley Green Avenue, Warrington WA5 3LP
Tel: +44 01925 23 7230 Fax: +44 01925 236760
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Project Partners:  AnoxKaldnes AB, Sweden  

Project Administration:
Total Budget:        8,228,421.00 €       
Life Contribution: 1,446,648.00 €        
Year of Finance:   2005        
Duration:               15-Jan-2005 to 30-Jun-2007 
Commission Reference:       LIFE05 ENV/UK/000124