The information gathered by IPHYC to date has shown an industry currently dependent a range of outdated infrastructure. Some of this technology has been in use for almost a century and will not be able to cope with the tough incoming legislation. In many situations these technologies require chemical additions and large power requirements, for example ~5% of all UK power is used by the water utilities (along with associated carbon emissions). Forcing this existing ageing infrastructure to meet new legislation could see there operating costs rise up to 10x. All at a time when national governments and wider legislation (e.g. EU Urban Wastewater Directive) is demanding improved effluent quality while reducing, carbon emissions, power usage and chemical dependence.
Industry has recognised the limitations of the current equipment and has confirmed to IPHYC the need for new innovations such as it has developed. This will result in new equipment being deployed across Europe and beyond over the next 5 years and is expected to see a doubling in value of the wastewater market. IPHYCs technology is currently well placed to offer a solution to this need, not only allowing wastewater operators to meet there targets. But will also help reduce carbon emissions and power usage by the industry and protect the environment, including water sources downstream from wastewater facilities. IPHYCs technology also offers important additional value in that It does not produce waste, instead it recovers the valuable, limited resources in effluents in the recoverable form of algal biomass.
