Hydro nets Belgian sewer clean-up contract

Ely, UK -- Hydro International has won a Euro2-million contract to supply sewer overflow technology for a major clean-up programme in the Meuse valley in Belgium. The project will support SPGE, the regional water authority and INASEP, the local public body, in meeting the 2015 EU Framework Directive water quality targets.

The three-year project is centred on the city of Namur, the capital of the Southern region of Wallonia at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers. Hydro developed a bespoke system comprising 37 combined sewer overflows and screen separators based on its hydrodynamic vortex separation technology for stormwater and wastewater management.

The deal is a significant milestone in the progress of the company’s Ely-based Wastewater division since its acquisition of Vexamus 18 months ago, according to a statement from the UK company.

“The Hydro team has been working with our Belgian partners for nine years to develop the right solution for INASEP,” said Chris Williams, Hydro’s managing director, Europe. “The contract is strong confirmation of the capability of our unique vortex separation technology to meet the requirements of European water and environmental authorities.”

Hydro’s group products manager Keith Hutchings added: “As the topography is very flat, loss of head and low flow were particular challenges. We were able to adapt the CSO design to include a low power pump in order to maintain an adequate flow. We also included a facility to add flocculation treatment at a later date so that increasing demands for water quality could be met in the future.”