WATER NEWS
The Flocell XFM is for tertiary solids and phosphorus removal, and the open-cell media is designed to efficiently reduce tertiary solids and soft, difficult-to-manage flocs, retaining particulates without increasing pressure within the filter or reducing flow. The units can be operated under pumped or gravity flow and can be used inline or on a ‘dialysis’ flow mode.
Andrew Baird, technical director at WCSEE said, “It is great to collaborate with United Utilities and to see the process through from initial enquiry, testing, to purchase and installation. WCSEE has been delivering projects for the utility over many years, and the company is proud to be trusted to deliver tight phosphorus consents at Appleby and at other WwTWs with this contract win.”
Dr Adam Guest, senior process engineer at United Utilities, who advised during the Appleby trial, said, “The simplicity and robustness of the Flocell XFM system means it can be set up to be operational very quickly with limited commissioning requirements.
“The introduction of tertiary solids removal systems to help meet tight phosphorus drivers can result in significant volumes of backwash water being returned to the inlet works. This can lead to hydraulic challenges on many sites, particularly on some of our smaller, rural WwTWs.
“The ability of the system to operate for extended periods without backwash, and the limited backwash volume, make it ideal. In dialysis mode, there is no requirement for a complex flow control system, which also adds to the simplicity of installation.”
Water efficient
Flocell XFM uses air to clean the filters. The low-energy blowers agitate the media pack, removing contained solids during the short cleaning cycle.
With no moving parts, the Flocell XFM significantly reduces energy consumption and unlike other technologies, requires no process water to operate, substantially reducing the volume of backwash water required for cleaning.
Only the volume of the filter is discharged when cleaning, with prolonged periods of operation possible due to a high retention capacity and low maintenance requirements. This makes Flocell XFM filtration systems over 99.9% water efficient.
More importantly, the solids content of the backwash is very high, at 1,800mg/l, which means the throughput can go directly to onsite sludge storage or be returned to the head of the works for co-settlement with incoming effluent, without adding significantly to the hydraulic load.
Gavin Haywood, director at Evolution Aqua said, “Working on this site with WCSEE and in collaboration with United Utilities has enabled the very impressive operational capabilities of the Flocell XFM modular filtration system to be fully validated, even under stress conditions.
“Achieving these results, while maintaining over 99.9% water use efficiency, removes the need for backwash tanks and associated infrastructure and maintains operational hydraulic loading in a small and compact footprint which requires only a level base, reducing concrete usage that can be delivered to site and brought online within a few hours of deployment.”
Delivered to site in a 12m container, the flexible Flocell XFM system can be installed onsite on a flat surface, with no need for associated civil engineering works and can be commissioned within one hour.
If the flow rates change onsite, multiple units can be connected in series or run independently on multi-pass, to treat significantly higher flows, which will ensure environmental permits can be met quickly and efficiently.
Five key areas in which AI is set to
transform water management Dynamic optimisation in treatment plants, demand forecasting, energy efficiency, predictive problem detection and wastewater treatment enhancements are the main areas in which AI can transform water management, according to Xylem Vue
Water management is one of the most pressing environmental challenges that needs to be addressed at present. The World Economic Forumpoints to climate change, population growth and deficiencies in planning and land use as major contributors to the deterioration of 50% of the world's freshwater resources.
For the forum, investment in water resilience has become a critical tool for reversing this trend. Even the European Commission, in a 2025 report, has underscored the urgency of
46 | May 2025 |
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taking action to protect water, and developing strategies to reinforce water resilience.
In this context, the application of artificial intelligence is increasingly central to enhancing water resource management, driving efficiency, reducing costs, and promoting sustainability. This technology enables real-time analysis of vast data sets, improving infrastructure management and fostering stronger relationships with users.
AI’s role in predicting water demand, optimising energy use and
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