Achieving Net Zero – WAS Only THP with Digesters in Series at Long Reach STW, UK

Fountain, P., Rus, E., Panter, K.

Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership (ANZBP), 2025 , 2025

Abstract

Thames Water (TW) is one of the biggest utilities in the UK, serving a total of 16 millions customers including Greater London. A big driver for the biosolidss trategy at TW is obtaining a good final cake product appealing to farmers, reaching net zero emissions in operations, maximising their energy efficiency, aiming for a sustainable process line and circular economy.

Furhermore, having a quick return in investment thanks to THP drove the final decision to apply THP to their biosolid line. Back in 2013, TW was already very familiar with THP and was working to find the most cost efficient and sustainable way to work with this technology. It was well known that Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) is extremely difficult to digest and dewater, compared to primary sludge (PS).

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