Mattias Feldthusen – Director of Products for Nordic Water, a Sulzer brand, looks at some of the common standards and the equipment that can be used to achieve even the most stringent legislation.
As a crucial element for all organic life and plant growth, phosphorus is widely used in agriculture, primarily as a component of fertilizers. However, excessive levels in water bodies lead to a phenomenon known as eutrophication, which occurs when nutrient levels in a freshwater source become too high, leading to excessive algae growth. This depletes oxygen levels in the water, resulting in hypoxic or ‘dead zones’ where aquatic life cannot survive.
Phosphorus is often the limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems, meaning that controlling levels of this mineral can prevent or mitigate eutrophication. Therefore, managing phosphorus levels in wastewater discharge is crucial for protecting many aquatic environments, ensuring the sustainability of water resources, and preserving public health.
As local regulations become tighter on water pollutants such as phosphorous, nitrates and pharmaceuticals, treatment plants will need to upgrade existing processes and install additional equipment to ensure they comply. Fortunately, the technologies required have already been developed and proven in hundreds of reference installations and by working with experts in this field, such as Sulzer and Nordic Water, treatment plants can stay one step ahead of the legislation.
