Treatment Technologies to Prevent Hazardous Chemical Pollution at Source: Implications for the UK and Ireland
Isle evaluated technologies to reduce hazardous chemical inputs at sewer entry
With over 150,000 hazardous substances in commercial use, the global chemicals market is projected to double in the next five years. This is a major concern for communities and the environment as chemicals may find their way into water bodies. Although there is greater regulation on chemicals than before, there is still a reliance on wastewater treatment works to remove them. Problematically, however, wastewater treatment works were never designed to manage these compounds. Despite the addition of supplementary treatment methods, this ‘end of pipe’ treatment may not completely remove hazardous chemicals. Instead, a far more effective method is preventing or minimising their entry into the sewer in the first place. This approach aligns with the Polluter Pays pillar in environmental regulation. Similarly, it reduces reliance on treatment, lowering operational costs, and helping utilities meet regulatory standards more effectively.
UKWIR commissioned Isle to identify technologies capable of treating low-volume inputs of hazardous chemicals at sewer entry. The goal was to identify the most suitable technologies capable of reducing the chemical burden on wastewater treatment works and the environment.
Our team first undertook a review assessing solutions for the removal of 135 different hazardous chemicals. We identified 20 technologies potentially suitable for use at sewer entry, and developed four real-world case studies. We then produced a comprehensive technical report, assessing and providing up-to-date knowledge on each technology. We also highlighted key opportunities and limitations. Finally, we delivered a high level cost–benefit analysis of financial and environmental impacts for each technology to support informed decision making.
Benefits of Approach
- Treatment tech knowledge: Provided up-to-date knowledge of the technologies capable of treating low-volume hazardous chemical discharges directly at sewer entry points.
- Assessment of challenges: Established the limits, challenges and opportunities of conventional and novel treatments in effectively dealing with hazardous substances.
- Technology insight: Provided insight into how established and emerging technologies perform, and their limits for specific hazardous substance groups.
- Cost/benefit analysis: Established clear and reasoned cost/benefit scenarios to support decision making. These scenarios estimated cost and associated environmental impacts for the removal and destruction of hazardous chemicals.
- Established relevance: Reviewed case studies on established treatment technologies to assess their relevance and applicability for the UK and Irish water sector.
- Industry guidance: Collaboratively shared findings and provided clear recommendations for the UK and Irish water sector.
Specialist Services Involved
- Identified emerging options: Our literature review identified technologies with potential to remove specific hazardous chemicals from four types of pollution sources more effectively.
- Established real-world applicability: Developed a series of case studies on global technologies capable of removing specific hazardous chemicals from industrial sources.
Strategic guidance: Provided evidence-based guidance to support technology selection and strategic investment decisions.
Resultados
Our team’s extensive review found:
- Chemical discharges are widespread: Our team identified 100+ hazardous chemicals discharged from non-domestic sources into sewers.
- Treatment technologies exist: We found that several technologies could potentially remove these chemicals before they reach the sewer.
- Evidence gaps persist: Limited real-world performance data is available; trials are needed to validate effectiveness.
- Pre-treatment likely required: Most technologies need additional steps (e.g., for TSS, COD, TOC, or pH adjustment), which adds complexity, cost, and footprint.
- Waste management challenge: As most treatment processes generate waste (sludge/by-products), this poses disposal requirements.
- Case studies show benefits: Our team found that point-of-entry treatment has reduced chemical levels in wastewater treatment works effluent.
Key contact:
For enquiries and further information, please contact Dr Naiara Fonseca, Principal Consultant at Isle Utilities.