BIO-BUBBLE has defended its sewage treatment technology after the Public Services fact-finding trip to Anglian Water. Managing director Jeremy Wickins refuted claims that the Thorrington plant visited produced quite a lot of sludge.

Department minister Bill Bell said that the salesmen always claimed the process generated virtually no sludge and stood by his comments about the plant which the board visited.

‘I was very disappointed that he ‘Deputy Bell’ was unable to get the truth from someone who has Anglian Water’s own sludge records available for the bio-bubble plants,’ said Mr Wickins.

He added that Pat Green, who showed the plant to the visiting party, appeared to be saying that Anglian Water had falsified the records for Bio-Bubble which had been given to the States.

‘I bitterly resent false information being given and, having five patents in our Bio-Bubble technology that makes it difficult for old traditionalists to understand,’ he said.

The technology biologically treats the sludge which, he said, reduced it by more than 80% against conventional plants.

By the end of the year, it intended to prove that it would meet the safe sludge matrix, he said, which would mean it was the only company in the UK that could do so direct from a plant.

‘This trial was in progress at the plant visited, Thorrington,’ said Mr Wickins.

‘Unfortunately, the plant had suffered a lightning strike a few days before the visit and was working on an emergency programme.’

The company’s philosophy was based on environmental considerations, he added, and if it succeeded in the trial, there was a potential carbon saving of 80% or more.

‘We think that is worth striving for.’

Deputy Bell said that in its

investigations the board had avoided

dealing with individual suppliers,

but instead had spoken to the operators.

It was aware of Bio-Bubble and thought it appropriate to include the plant in the latest visit.

‘The board has no preconceptions when conducting its visits,’ said Deputy Bell.

‘In so doing it was very pleased to be hosted by experienced professionals who were clearly knowledgeable about sewage management. These officers were able to provide independent and objective views of the good and bad points of the different processes, including the Bio-Bubble system, from an operator’s perspective.’

He reiterated that in the past States members had been given the clear impression by those promoting Bio-Bubble that it generated virtually no sludge.

‘The evidence the board saw at an operational plant in Essex certainly did not support that assertion.’