Phosphorus removal in wastewater polishing filters (NO)

Located in Nore and Uvdal municipalities in Norway, the Upper Uvdal wastewater treatment plant was built to serve a mixed catchment area including a resort, residential homes, and several hundred holiday cottages. Protecting the sensitive natural environment around the site required advanced treatment technology capable of significantly reducing phosphorus before it is discharged.

The plant was designed as a conventional chemical and biological treatment system; however, to further improve effluent quality and comply with strict environmental regulations, a polishing filtration stage with Filtralite Nature P was added. In this final stage, the treated effluent passes through a filter bed containing Filtralite® Nature P before being released into a small nearby creek, ensuring minimal ecological impact.

Thanks to its unique porous structure and high phosphorus adsorption capacity, Filtralite® Nature P captures dissolved phosphorus efficiently and provides a stable, long-term performance even under variable flow conditions. This helps the plant meet and exceed discharge limits, contributing to the protection of local water bodies and ecosystems.

After more than three years of continuous operation, the plant consistently achieves 99% phosphorus removal, with effluent concentrations as low as 0.06 mg/L, well below the recommended limits. The stability and efficiency of Filtralite® Nature P make it an ideal solution for wastewater treatment plants in sensitive natural environments or dispersed settlements, where reliable nutrient removal is essential.

The Upper Uvdal project demonstrates how integrating Filtralite® Nature P into conventional treatment lines can enhance nutrient removal, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect fragile ecosystems, all while maintaining low operating costs and simple maintenance.