South West Water Selects Microvi MNE™ Technology for Nitrogen Treatment Technically Achievable Limit (N-TAL) Program
Microvi’s containerized MNE™ system chosen as one of three trial technologies in UK water sector’s push toward ultra-low nitrogen discharge limits — advancing sustainable, energy-efficient nitrogen removal at smaller wastewater treatment sites
HAYWARD, CA (October 30, 2025) – Microvi Biotech Inc. today announced that South West Water has selected Microvi’s containerized MNE™ nitrogen removal system as one of three trial technologies for the UK water sector’s Nitrogen Treatment Technically Achievable Limit (N-TAL) program. The program represents the water industry’s largest coordinated effort to evaluate advanced nitrogen removal technologies capable of achieving ultra-low effluent limits sustainably and cost-effectively — a critical step toward meeting future regulatory requirements while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment.
The N-TAL program goes beyond compliance — it is designed to advance the sector’s understanding of how to achieve stringent nitrogen limits while simultaneously improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon dosing, and tightening process control. Nitrogen over-enrichment of freshwater and coastal environments is a leading cause of eutrophication, harmful algae blooms, and ecosystem degradation. As regulatory pressure increases, the UK water sector faces a critical challenge: achieving lower nitrogen discharge without proportional increases in energy use, carbon footprint, or operational complexity.
Microvi’s containerized MNE™ system stands out for its scalable, modular biotechnology platform that delivers high-efficiency nitrogen removal with the ability to integrate seamlessly with existing assets. The technology operates reliably even at smaller sites — a critical advantage in the UK, where many treatment works are below 10,000 population equivalent (PE) and struggle to deploy conventional advanced nutrient removal systems due to space, complexity, or cost constraints. The MNE™ platform’s compact footprint, low energy demand, and minimal sludge production make it a genuinely disruptive solution for future-ready nitrogen treatment infrastructure.
“The N-TAL program is a defining moment for the UK water sector. Achieving ultra-low nitrogen limits sustainably will require breakthrough technologies that deliver superior performance without the energy and carbon penalties of traditional approaches. Microvi’s selection for this program reflects the industry’s confidence in our MNE™ platform to meet that challenge.”
— Dr. Fatemeh Shirazi, CEO, Microvi Biotech Inc.
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About South West Water
South West Water is part of Pennon Group plc and provides reliable, efficient, and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services throughout Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset. The company is committed to protecting the region’s bathing waters and coastline while investing in the future of water infrastructure to improve quality of life for residents and visitors. Learn more at www.southwestwater.co.uk.
About Microvi Biotech Inc.
Microvi Biotech Inc. is an applied biotechnology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that develops and commercializes next-generation biosolutions for critical challenges in water, wastewater, climate, and environmental sustainability. Powered by its proprietary MicroNiche Engineering™ (MNE) platform, Microvi delivers proven, high-performance biosolutions worldwide—reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste while increasing productivity and cost-efficiency for its customers. Microvi’s scalable biosolutions are deployed globally across diverse sectors, delivering disruptive economic value for industry partners and contributing to a cleaner environment and healthier communities. Learn more at www.microvi.com.
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