WATER quality in the River Weaver could soon improve after innovative technology was installed at a wastewater treatment works.

In a European first for water company United Utilities, a new low carbon, chemical-free, treatment process was introduced at the rural Whitegate Wastewater Treatment Works.

The new FujiClean technology, developed as an alternative to septic tanks, will improve water quality in the Weaver by reducing phosphorus released from the works at the end of the treatment process.

Now fully operational, the newly installed equipment will improve water quality in Pettypool Brook which is a tributary of the Weaver.

Lisa Mansell, chief engineer, innovation and carbon at United Utilities, said: "We are always looking for ways both to enhance the wastewater treatment process and reduce the use of chemicals, the FujiClean system we have installed at Whitegate does both.

"As well as bacteria to break down the sewage, FujiClean also uses electrodes to remove phosphorus without the need for additional chemicals to be used.

"Being able to deliver chemical-free phosphorus removal at small rural sites is an exciting development. It means that the water that is released from at the end of the treatment process will be much better quality.

"Because the system only needs to be emptied very infrequently, and we won’t need to make chemical deliveries to site, there will be far fewer vehicle movements which is another win for the environment and for the local community who live close to the site."

The FujiClean system was developed in Japan and is typically used for domestic properties and facilities such as camp sites that aren’t connected to a sewer network.

After working with the company to trial the system, United Utilities has become the first water company in Europe to introduce it at small rural wastewater treatment works – and Whitegate is the first to benefit.

The first two FujiClean CRX units to be used in a live environment have now been installed by United Utilities’ engineering and capital delivery teams at Whitegate and further 11 units are set to be installed at small sites across the region.