Nutrient Neutrality - An onsite perspective.
Press Release: 07/03/24 We are very pleased to announce our new partnership with Greenshank Environmental. Over the past year, we have been collaborating on many projects, culminating in Greenshank taking a stake in Enviren this March. Zak Simmonds , Enviren Owner said 'Our partnership will amplify the work we have been doing in onsite nutrient mitigation, drainage design and flood risk. Our market-leading services will be extended, adding Greenshank's expertise in offsite nutrient mitigation and biodiversity net gain.' Dr. Gabriel Connor Streich, CEO of Greenshank, has been at the forefront of producing guidance on nutrient neutrality and he continues to work closely with Natural England to standardise novel approaches to offsite nutrient mitigation. Gabriel commented 'By combining Enviren’s ability to achieve full neutrality in over 90% of new housing developments, with Greenshank’s market-leading expertise in offsite nutrient mitigation, we can provide the most cost-effective solutions to nutrient neutrality anywhere in the country. This is going to be a game-changer.' If you have any questions or would like to explore working together please email on enquiries@enviren.co.uk
Over the last year we have been investigating the potential of zero-discharge willow bed systems to enable developers to overcome the nutrient neutrality issue. The concept of zero-discharge willow bed systems is that the beds use evapotranspiration to remove all the liquid wastewater generated by the new development, thus achieve nutrient neutrality. We have been working hard on this to bring the use of this technology into sewered catchments such that a dry overflow pipe would mean that developers can connect to the main sewer (in line with the Buildings Regulations, EA general binding rules and the NPPF) whilst not generating any nutrients. We headed over to Denmark in September to meet international expert and pioneer Peder Gregersen to discuss his successes and see the systems in persons and we were amazed to see them not only surviving but thriving, some of them being in use for decades. Peder also enlightened us on the carbon reduction benefits of the willow beds which is another benefit to their incorporation. We have now refined the design process and we are pleased to announce that we will be working in cooperation with Peder on new projects across England and Wales to introduce this incredible technology. The part of this that makes us most proud is that we will have the opportunity to carry Peder's legacy on. The willow beds needs to be carefully designed, paying close attention to local climatic conditions and topographical information. Key considerations include: Hours of sunlight Wind travel Altitude Coordinates Temperature Humidity Local rainfall rates Soil porosity Neighbouring trees and structures We really look to forward to pushing this technology forwards and using it on larger, more expansive developments as a cost effective and sustainable alternative to credits.