Nature-Based & Environmental  Solutions

Nature-based and environmental solutions use natural processes, ecological systems and engineered technologies to address environmental challenges alongside, or as part of, conventional infrastructure.

For the water industry, this can include natural wastewater treatment, water quality improvement, habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement, as well as solutions for managing odour, emissions and the working environment around water and wastewater assets. By combining engineering expertise with the power of natural processes, these approaches can deliver functional environmental improvements while supporting wider sustainability objectives.

Nature-based solutions can be applied across a wide range of water environments, including wastewater treatment sites, rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, urban waterways and sustainable drainage systems.

Biomatrix solutions include floating ecosystems, constructed wetlands and active treatment systems designed to improve water quality, support biodiversity and provide natural wastewater treatment. These can be used in both new developments and alongside existing infrastructure. Greenacre also supports clean and wastewater treatment facilities through specialist ventilation, odour control, fume extraction and process ventilation systems.

Engineered ecological systems can use processes such as biofiltration, biological breakdown, nitrification and denitrification, alongside plant roots, biofilms and other natural treatment mechanisms to improve water quality.

Our water quality systems are designed to address pollutants including BOD/COD, nitrogen, phosphorus, suspended solids, algae and cyanobacteria, pathogens and certain metals which can also help improve water clarity, reduce algae growth and mitigate odours.

Nature-based systems do not necessarily need to replace conventional treatment infrastructure. They can be integrated with existing assets or used to provide additional treatment, polishing, water quality management or habitat benefits.

For example, Biomatrix’s Active Island Reactors provide in-situ treatment within rivers, canals and lakes, while its constructed wetland and wastewater technologies can form part of wider treatment and water-reuse schemes. Recent UK applications have also demonstrated how redundant wastewater infrastructure can be repurposed as part of a nature-based treatment solution.

Odour, dust, fumes and process-related emissions can present operational, environmental and workplace challenges at water and wastewater facilities. Specialist ventilation and extraction systems can be designed to control these emissions and maintain appropriate working conditions.

Greenacre provides dust control and fume extraction, odour control, LEV testing and process ventilation, with specific experience in clean water and wastewater treatment environments. Its process ventilation systems can also control temperature around equipment such as motor control centres, compressor rooms, screw pump rooms and on-site electrolytic chlorination systems.

Yes. A key advantage of engineered ecological solutions is their ability to address water quality while simultaneously creating habitat and supporting biodiversity.

Floating ecosystems, for example, can provide habitat for birds, fish and pollinators while introducing vegetation and ecological function to hard-edged water bodies. Nature-based wastewater and water quality systems can therefore contribute to wider environmental objectives alongside their primary treatment function. This integrated approach can help create more resilient, biodiverse and attractive water environments.