Catalysing a NET-ZERO future

Competition: Breakthrough 2: Catalyst

Amount awarded: £762,447

Led by: Severn Trent

Partners: Microvi Biotechnologies, Cranfield University, Jacobs

Estimated completion date: August 2025

Water cycle tag: Waste water treatment

One of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from the water industry is nitrous oxide – 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It’s produced by bacteria that plays a vital role in removing toxic ammonia from wastewater. If ammonia isn’t removed, it damages aquatic life. Recently researchers have identified naturally occurring bacteria that can remove ammonia without producing nitrous oxide but these don’t ordinarily thrive in treatment plants. This project will develop innovative techniques for capturing these game-changing bacteria and putting them to work in our existing treatment processes.

“Reducing our carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions is hugely important to the water sector. This innovative approach, that retains the use of our existing treatment assets while driving down emissions using innovative biology and technology has the potential to deliver truly significant environmental and economic benefits for our customers”.- Pete Vale, Carbon Architect, Severn Trent

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Update from the team (July 2025):

The modifications to the Microvi Pilot plant are complete, we are expecting to take delivery of it at our Innovation Centre soon, where its assembly and commissioning has been planned. Following successful commissioning we will start our 7 month trial.