Anglian Water has completed the installation of specialist wastewater treatment equipment from WCS Environmental Engineering (WCSEE) as part of a major upgrade of Horning Knackers Wood water recycling centre (WRC) in north Norfolk. The project included ten WCSEE Hybrid modular biological treatment units and two Flocell XFMs for tertiary solids removal.
The upgrade was undertaken to maintain compliance with dry weather flow requirements, as river flooding and groundwater infiltration into the network had created operational challenges. The existing treatment system, located in the riverside village of Horning, had become unsustainable due to changes in ground conditions and local hydrology.
The soil in the area, predominantly peat over sand and gravel, is porous and low in cohesion, leading to continual movement and strain on pipe joints. Combined with a high-water table, this had resulted in groundwater infiltration and increased volumes entering the system, making it harder to meet environmental consents.
Anglian Water implemented measures to protect the integrity of its infrastructure and strengthen drainage resilience while supporting the long-term water recycling needs of the Horning area.
WCSEE worked with contractor Kier to install, test and commission the wastewater treatment systems. To address the site’s unique conditions, WCSEE conducted background work in collaboration with Kier’s engineers, suppliers and logistics departments, coordinating transport and manufacturing schedules while maintaining open communication with Anglian Water.
The upgraded WRC now has the capacity to treat flows of 25 litres per second, achieving a consent of 20 milligrams per litre for total suspended solids, 10 milligrams per litre for ammonia, and 10 milligrams per litre for biochemical oxygen demand, with a retention time exceeding two hours.
James Greenwood, head of sales at WCSEE, said, “We are pleased that the Hybrid and Flocell XFM technologies were chosen to help Anglian Water meet its dry weather flow consents. The collaboration with Anglian Water and Kier was positive throughout, and we are proud to have contributed to a project that enhances wastewater resilience.”
WCSEE’s patented Hybrid technology uses a submerged moving-bed and fixed-film reactor, providing energy-efficient treatment compared with other submerged systems. Flow balancing in the primary tank allows it to handle variable flows and loads, making it suitable for the seasonal and fluctuating demands typical in Norfolk. Its modular design and compact footprint enable flexible deployment across different sites.
The two Flocell XFM modular filtration systems, originally developed for high-value koi pond filtration, have been adapted for wastewater treatment and installed at the Horning Knackers Wood WRC for tertiary solids removal. The open-cell media efficiently reduces tertiary solids and soft, difficult-to-manage flocs, retaining particulates without increasing pressure or reducing flow. The units can operate under pumped or gravity flow and be configured inline or in a multi-pass mode.
Mark Jones, project manager at Kier, said, “The installation of the Hybrid and Flocell XFMs began in March 2025 to meet the Environment Agency’s permit timeline, following contract approval earlier in the year. The remaining WRC equipment was delivered and installed by July 2025, with seeding commencing in June. The project team is pleased to see the upgraded works now fully operational and serving the community.”
