CASE STUDY

Nitrate selective resin is used to treat ammonia impacted surface waters

RSK Raw Innovative Technology!

45,000 litres of working strength liquid fertiliser were released from a nearby farm into a large recreational fishing lake (approximately 25,000 - 30,000 m in volume). The contaminant impact resulted in a significant loss of fish stock from the impacted lake and contaminated the local watercourses.

The response

In response to this incident, RSK Raw sucessfully trialled and implemented the cationic resin treatment of the contaminated surface water.

The team utilised a Nitrate selective ion exchange resin as a filter media, incorporated into a pump and treat system, whereby water contaminated with dissolved phase ammonia was pumped out from the lake through the filter system, prior to the discharge of the treated effluent / clean water back into a nearby surface watercourse. This was achieved through consulatation and collaboration with both the Environment Agency and the local water board, specifically to obtain the necessary discharge consents in a timely manner.

The system was operated in combination with an ecologically sustainable solar-powered monitoring probe, to enable continuous 24/7 monitoring of the water quality of the effluent. Automated controls were installed to divert water back into the contaminated lake should concentrations in the effluent breach the agreed discharge threshold.

In response to this incident, RSK Raw sucessfully trialled and implemented the cationic resintreatment of the contaminated surface water.

The team utilised a Nitrate selective ion exchange resin as a filter media, incorporated intoa pump and treat system, whereby water contaminated with dissolved phase ammonia waspumped out from the lake through the filter system, prior to the discharge of the treated effluent/ clean water back into a nearby surface watercourse. This was achieved through consulatationand collaboration with both the Environment Agency and the local water board, specifically toobtain the necessary discharge consents in a timely manner.

The system was operated in combination with an ecologically sustainable solar-poweredmonitoring probe, to enable continuous 24/7 monitoring of the water quality of the effluent.Automated controls were installed to divert water back into the contaminated lake shouldconcentrations in the effluent breach the agreed discharge threshold.

THE RESULT

The system was built, maintained and operated in-house, wholly by RSK Raw sta ff, resulting in continuous development and ensuring a successfully managed project. The introduction of this new system also effectively replaced an expensive and unsustainable option involving the tankering of water from the site.

The low carbon footprint of this technology, together with its proven ammonia reducing results, maintains RSK Raw’s position as a leading provider of remediation solutions.

For this approach to a significant pollution incident that paired innovation with sustainability in operation RSK Raw were awarded the 2022 Innovation in Spill Response Award at the Association Annual Awards