A massive upgrade of Southern Water’s Horsham Wastewater Treatment Works in West Sussex is entering its final year, in an effort to improve the site’s processes and capacity.
The major scheme, which began in September 2022 and is expected to be completed next spring, will further boost the quality of the final effluent returning to the River Arun – thanks to a range of new hi-tech machinery, control and monitoring systems, as well as the replacement and refurbishment of existing equipment.
The work by contractor CMDP – a joint venture between Costain and MWH Treatment – is being contained to the site itself to minimise any possible impact on the surrounding areas.
Landscaping and habitat enhancements on-site will ensure an overall 9% gain in biodiversity within the boundaries of the Works.
Progress on site includes the installation of two new state of the art inlet screens – measuring 12.8m in length they are amongst the largest installed on a wastewater treatment works in the UK and ensure the vast amount of solid matter is removed from the treatment process.
Photo: new Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBRs)
The two new Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBRs) continue to be installed. The purpose of the MBBR within the treatment process is to help remove ammonia from the effluent returning to the river Arun. The MBBRs will be fully operational towards the end of the summer.
In an effort to reduce the project’s overall carbon footprint, suppliers have been sought from within a 20-mile radius of the site where possible e.g. the use of Southern Cranes based in Southwater. The water company said the success of this approach has resulted in over £2.4 million of the £23 million spend to date coming from within the local supply chain.
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