A recent upgrade of the treatment plant to quadruple the recyling capacity of the system was completed in the nick of time, just days prior to the environmental disaster which saw West Hatch being at the centre of the rescue, washing and recuperation of the wildlife that had been effected. The Bio-Bubble system was put into immediate action by not only treating the extra waste water but recycling the waste water to restock the recuperation ponds, thus ensuring the ponds had a constant flow of fresh water.

The upgrade saw the recycling capacity increase to 80m³ per day without the necessity of installing extra tanks.  The effluent from the centre comes from not only the offices and toilets but also from the recuperation ponds and dog and cat kennels.  The waste water and the solids are biologically treated by the Bio-Bubble and discharged to a small 600m³ wild life pond built to act as a reservoir.  Water is then drawn of, filtered, UV treated and put under pressure before being reused by the centre to wash and refill the recuperation pens.

By treating and re-using the waste water from the centre in this way ensures that the Bio-Bubble reduced the effect the centre has on the environment whilst also reducing the running costs, a principle that has been adopted at the other RSPCA sites around the country that also benefit from the Bio-Bubble treatment and recycling system.