THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
EDITOR’S PICKS
Serious Waste tanker at EcoClarity FOG recovery hub in Hull
client - supporting their green ambitions with robust data.”
Using the EcoClarity data, Serious Waste Management has saved around 47,000 tonnes of GHG emissions since they began working with EcoClarity two years ago.
Smoother sewers
Sewer blockages are a major concern in the UK, with an estimated 200,000 occurring annually, and FOG cited as the cause in around 75% of cases. A build-up of FOG hinders the smooth operation of sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants (WwTPs), shortens the lifespan of critical assets and increases maintenance costs.
This burden ultimately falls on water companies, which may be forced to raise prices for customers. Additionally, FOG blockages can cause sewer overflows, creating a public health hazard and impacting the environment.
EcoClarity is growing a network of FOG Recovery Hubs across the UK, with plans to scale to 20-30 sites in the next three
years.Multiple potential sites have been identified, and the company is currently working on a FOG Recovery Hub in Hull, in collaboration with Yorkshire Water. Sites belonging to United Utilities and Southern Water, as well as two large entertainment venues in London and Cornwall, are also in the pipeline.
FOLLOW US Planning for the future
Meeting the pace of increasing demand for FOG disposal sites is currently hindered by environmental permit issues, with the process taking up to two years. EcoClarity is engaging with the Environment Agency to tackle the issue and find ways to streamline permit applications.
Clemes explains, "The permit process needs modernisation. We want to provide FOG recovery across multiple locations, before grease builds-up in sewers, but delays in obtaining permits is a major hurdle."
"More geographically dispersed sites are needed," adds Menzies. "Collaboration within the water sector to find sites will help
EcoClarity employee on site at FOG recovery hub in Hull
water companies meet environmental targets and reduce haulier travel times and costs."
By fostering partnerships and addressing permitting challenges, the FOG-to-fuel solution can be scaled-up, promoting a more sustainable and efficient wastewater management system for the future.
“Our combination of an innovative separation technology and circular- economy model for resource capture and reuse is unique,” says Clemes, “but I firmly believe that we are on the right path, and through strong partnerships we can crack this widespread and costly challenge for once and for all.”
August 2024 | 55
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
