Creating a reliable wastewater treatment plant that works in tune with nature
Clifton Wastewater Treatment Works is a rural treatment plant that recycles wastewater generated from a small village in South Yorkshire. To meet new water quality objectives, additional infrastructure was required to reduce nutrient load to the environment.
We identified that the existing treatment site provided the perfect conditions for implementing an integrated constructed wetland (ICW): a low energy and environmentally friendly method of wastewater treatment. The site area was proportionally large for the treatment population (about three Olympic swimming pools), with a natural slope and impermeable clay layer—all ideal conditions for supporting a nature-based solution. The shallow ponds were filled with a variety of plants (25 species), some to promote ecological conditions for nutrient uptake and some to promote a diverse habitat. In total, 24,000 plants were used, delivering a biodiversity net gain of 40%—one of the first biodiversity net gain positive wastewater treatment works in the UK. In addition, topsoil from the pond excavation was reused for a pollinator nature reserve immediately adjacent to the project to enhance the biodiversity of the surrounding area.
Clifton ICW is a unique project which offered multiple opportunities for research across many areas, including climate impact and evapotranspiration. The best part? We can better understand how these sustainable treatment plants could be adapted across other rural or isolated locations and scaled up for larger plants.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Yorkshire Water
- Partners
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- Barhale Enpure JV
Robert McTaggart, Technical Director
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