Wastewater chemicals shortage may see partially treated effluent flushed into English rivers

A shortage of HGV drivers is putting pressure on the supply chain for chemicals used to treat wastewater. As a result, the government has told wastewater treatment works in England they may be able to discharge effluent that has not been fully treated.

Trade body Water UK has identified some disruption to the distribution of ferric sulfate to a small number of water companies. It’s used to remove phosphorus from wastewater. A Water UK spokesperson noted that the problem is a national shortage of specialist HGV drivers able to move the chemical and they do not expect the situation to improve in the short-term. They also stress that the shortage is not affecting drinking water treatment.