South Staffs Water’s green recovery proposal for an innovative new water-filtration system at its Hampton Loade treatment works which was approved by Ofwat this week will see the largest deployment of ceramic membrane technology in the UK.

Photo of Hampton Loade treatment works

On Monday this week Ofwat published its draft decisions on green recovery proposals submitted by five water companies will allow them to invest an extra £862 million, on top of their existing five-year PR19 2020-25 investment packages.

South Staffs Water will invest £8 million to improve water quality while reducing carbon emissions via the ceramic membrane solution for the Hampton Loade scheme in South Staffs Water's region. Severn Trent Water will contribute an extra £7 million to the project, under existing agreements for the shared resource.

The water company submitted its proposal for an accelerated upgrade of its 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. The 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.

Andy Willicott, managing director at South Staffs Water commented:

“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.”