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Tapping into Sewer Heat

Tapping into Sewer Heat

Challenge: Breakthrough 4: Catalyst
Water cycle: Waste water network
Lead water company: Affinity Water
Partner water companies: Anglian Water Thames Water
Delivery stage: In progress
Est. completion date: Feb 2026

Tapping into Sewer Heat

Amount awarded: £1,978,515 

Led by: Severn Trent Water 

Partners: Anglian Water, Berlin Wasser, E.ON Energy Solutions Limited, Horiba MIRA Ltd, Northern Ireland Water, Scottish Water, Spring Innovation Ltd, Thames Water, Uisce Éireann 

Wastewater holds a substantial amount of heat energy that could help the UK in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. However, this resource remains largely untapped. The goal of this project is to encourage widespread adoption of in-sewer heat recovery by showcasing a reliable technical and commercial solution. 

“This project has the potential to for help the UK and its efforts in decarbonisation of energy. Heat from the sewers is an untapped resource of safe and consistent heat, which can play a part in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and provide a renewable source of energy..” – Pete Vale, Carbon and Circular Economy Architect, Severn Trent Water