Isle partnered with Scottish Water to explore and prioritise technologies capable of future-proofing wastewater treatment works and supporting climate resilience.
Climate change is already having, and will continue to have, significant impacts on the global water industry. These include more frequent droughts, more frequent and intense rainfall events and prolonged and greater temperature extremes. Challenges associated with climate change are expected to intensify in the future. In the UK, recent storms have brought increased wind and flooding, translating to power interruptions and operational disruptions. Together, these can impact the performance of wastewater treatment works (WWTW).
Our team worked with Scottish Water to identify technological solutions to improve the reliability and resilience of their WWTW in a changing climate. The assessment considered eight key operating scenarios that Scottish Water are likely to encounter, including:
- prolonged low flow
- prolonged high flow
- first flush events
- prolonged low temperature
- prolonged high temperature
- flooding
- saline flooding (coastal ingress)
- power failure as a result of wind damage
Our team identified 31 solutions that would address at least one of the eight operating conditions Scottish Water identified. We provided key information about each technology including monitoring and sampling requirements, maintenance and operational needs, footprint required and energy consumption. Scottish Water then selected 10 technologies to be progressed to a more detailed assessment. We worked closely with technology suppliers to gather information around case study data for these shortlisted technologies. This included unit costs, waste stream considerations and market representation, alongside strategic recommendations around integration and long-term planning.
Benefits of Approach
- Technology-neutral assessment: Our team identified and evaluated a range of technologies based on Scottish Water’s requirements. This provided an independent, evidence-based foundation for objective comparisons.
- Aligns with efficiency goals: Our team incorporated criteria including energy consumption, footprint and maintenance needs. This aligned with our client’s broader sustainability and operational efficiency goals.
- Technology integration: We helped Scottish Water understand how they could integrate new technology into wastewater treatment. We provided asset management models to support the development of long-term strategies.
Specialist Services Involved
- Horizon scan: We provided a horizon scan identifying and assessing solutions based on Scottish Water’s eight defined operating conditions.
- Technology assessment: Our team engaged with technology suppliers, obtaining case study data and cost information for each shortlisted technology. This strengthened confidence in each shortlisted solution’s feasibility and supported an informed selection of technologies to take forward.
- Strategic planning: We developed strategic recommendations for integrating suitable technologies within existing and future asset management models. These recommendations will support long term planning by identifying opportunities to implement technologies and improve operational resilience.
Outcomes
- Risk reduction: Our team identified and assessed 31 technological solutions capable of addressing Scottish Water’s eight operating conditions. We provided an evidence base for managing operational risks and improving resilience under future climatic pressures.
- Focused investment: We developed detailed case studies for 10 of the most high-potential technologies. We conducted an in-depth evaluation against Scottish Water’s requirements. This case study exercise can be used as a tool to support informed investment decisions and helps to optimise resource allocation towards the best solutions.
- Long-term resilience planning: Our team provided recommendations setting out the integration of short listed technologies into wastewater treatment and long-term asset management planning. These recommendations can support Scottish Water’s strategic decision-making.
Key contact: For enquiries and further information, please contact Dr. Naiara Fonseca, Principal Consultant at Isle.