WPL's besst IS A PROVEN SUCCESS IN IRELAND!

In August 2006, WPL installed Ireland's first BESST (Biologically Engineered Single Sludge Treatment) plant for nitrate removal on a small scale at Millbrea Nursing Home, located in Tipperary. The site was faced with a revised and very strict consent to discharge standard (10:10:5:15:2 - BOD:TSS:NH₄-N:TON:TP) as once the water had been treated, it needed to discharge directly into the river Newport, which fed into the Shannon.

Working under the advice of water experts Wastewater Solutions. Mr Carew, owner of the nursing home, chose to install the BESST plant because of its proven reliability in the UK to meet high standards of treatment and also its low ongoing operational cost. Six months on, the plant now process guaranteed by WPL and labelled a 'complete success' by its owners. 

The BEEST technology is purposely designed for applications where nutrient removal is required, allowing treatment from 100 up to 1500pe. The Plant is fully automated, self monitoring and self correcting using hardwire feedback control systems, a feature which means that once the plant is commissioned, it requires little or no input from it's owner. This feature was very important, as the owner, like most people, had very little knowledge of water testing and treatment.

With a long sludge age and integral digester the system allows for the reduction of associated disposal and treatment costs. The BESST can be installed above or below ground level as per customer requirements. The demand for total nutrient removal is increasing due to the Water Authorities’ aim to reduce nitrate levels from wastewater. High nitrate levels in wastewater are a serious threat to the environment and the Water Authorities water abstraction sites.

In addition, very advanced levels of BOD and TSS removal are achieved due to the integrated Upflow Sludge Blanket Clarifier (USBC) which enables it to meet some of the tightest discharge consents imposed by the Environment Agency and SEPA. The BESST also achieves high levels of biological phosphorus removal which reduces chemical tertiary polishing, reducing running costs associated with chemicals and tankering.