To put it plainly: sewage stinks — and in the UK, it has never been more in the public eye. With growing regulatory pressure from Ofwat and increasing scrutiny on water companies, wastewater treatment works must give careful consideration to odour control when selecting materials, alongside safety and logistical requirements. Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) products are widely used throughout the water and sewerage industry for a variety of reasons.
Wastewater treatment works across the UK frequently require covers for the large screw pumps used to transport raw sewage into the facility. In such applications, GRP is a popular choice among contractors, owing to its corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, impact resistance, lightweight properties, and ability to contain odour, among other advantages.
Wastewater treatment works present extremely corrosive environments. Metal alternatives would deteriorate rapidly under such conditions, resulting in frequent and costly replacements. GRP, by contrast, offers excellent corrosion resistance even in the most demanding settings throughout the UK water and sewerage infrastructure.
The strength and impact resistance of GRP allow it to endure the physical demands of wastewater treatment works. Its lightweight properties also make it particularly practical in applications where covers or components need to be periodically removed for routine maintenance — an important consideration given the operational pressures faced by UK water companies.
Whilst corrosion resistance and structural performance are compelling advantages, odour mitigation is often the most immediate concern that drives material selection. In many applications, GRP covers are specified primarily for their ability to mitigate odour emissions from large screw pumps at wastewater treatment works. These covers are typically attached to the main structure using stainless steel hinges, a design which, combined with the lightweight properties of GRP, allows them to function as access doors — enabling maintenance teams to reach the screw pumps below with ease.
Watch this video to learn more about why GRP products are the preferred choice for wastewater treatment works across the UK:
Fibergrate's GRP covers for screw pump applications are built to last, using premium moulded grating, fiberplate, and structural shapes that stand up to even the harshest wastewater environments. But it's not just about the materials — our project management team works alongside you every step of the way, making sure the right hardware is sourced and nothing is left to chance. Water and sewerage operators across the UK trust Fibergrate, and so can you.