Ofwat approves our bid to the Green Recovery Fund
A proposal for an innovative new water-filtration system at one of our treatment works, has been approved by Ofwat, and will now go out to consultation, as part of the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge.
Following the widespread social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government launched a number of initiatives in the second half of 2020 to encourage economic growth post-COVID, with an emphasis on green recovery. As part of this, government and sector regulators encouraged water companies in England and Wales to revisit their investment programmes for 2020 to 2025 and submit green recovery proposals that provide benefits to local communities and the environment.
In light of this, and also the water sector’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, we submitted a proposal for an accelerated upgrade of our largest treatment works at Hampton Loade, near Bridgnorth, with a new solution, which has additional environmental benefits.
The new proposal is for the installation of an innovative ceramic membrane-based water-filtration solution over the next three years. This solution will provide enhanced water quality, a reduction in carbon emissions (around 1,000 tonnes a year), improved operational flexibility and resilience; and the potential for increased local employment opportunities.
“We are pleased that Ofwat has recognised our commitment to build back better post-COVID and the ambition of our green recovery proposals in its draft decision. It has been great to have been part of this multi-regulator initiative and the collaborative approach is most welcome.
“Whilst we are keen to fully understand the details set out in the draft decision document, we firmly believe implementing an innovative ceramic membrane solution at Hampton Loade, our largest water treatment works, will ensure our customers continue to receive the high-quality and resilient water supplies they expect and pay for, now and in the future.
“Once complete, this will be the largest deployment of ceramic membrane technology in the UK, and the first retrofit of its kind in an existing water treatment works. It will also help us play our part in delivering the water sector’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
We will now take some time to review Ofwat’s draft decision document and work with all stakeholders to understand the best way to take this forward.”
Andy Willicott, managing director at South Staffs Water.
Posted 17 May 2021