Southern Water’s Bluewave team are working with local councils and specialist suppliers on an innovative project to use the heat generated in the sewer network as a low carbon heating source in the community.

Sewers have an average ambient temperature of 17 degrees centigrade - with heat exchange technology, some of the excess heat in the network can be used to provide an alternative heat source for existing buildings and new developments. It works by carrying hot water to serve homes and businesses – like a giant central heating system.

The water company is currently working on a project with Worthing Borough Council to eventually link up 20 public buildings including the town hall, a hospital, a leisure centre, schools and law courts, as well as new developments. The project has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 3,000 tonnes a year - the equivalent of the energy used by 1,325 average-sized homes.

Future opportunities to use heat from sewer networks

Only a handful of heat networks currently exist in the UK, however looking ahead, the same technology can also be used to provide heat for agricultural use, such as greenhouses during the winter.

Southern Water is already discussing with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) how its assets can support a Heat Network Zoning Pilot, to highlight where the greatest sources of heat can be found in the network.