Sewage pollution is a rising issue in UK waterways as a consequence of the combined sewage network which is increasingly overwhelmed due population growth and climate change induced weather, discharging sewage directly into rivers and lakes over a total of 4.7 million hours in 2024.

As a systemic issue there are no immediate solutions, raising the need for alternative, low cost interventions. Mycelium- the root network of a mushroom is capable of degrading pollutants from water, through enzymatic reactions. This project has focused on developing a safe and efficient method of placing this biotechnology directly in the path of sewage spills. The mycodam modules can be linked at varying heights and anchored to fit any width of stream; they feature a staggered profile of filter cartridges optimised for increased water contact balanced with minimal ecological impact.

This design is coupled with a bluetooth based, solar powered sensor circuit for comparative measurement of filter function, allowing affordable remote monitoring by community group users. Both of which are in trial 1-m downstream of a weekly discharging CSO, with project collaborators: The Flete Field Lab.

The filter cartridges are entirely biodegradable, making mycodam a fully circular solution to a huge ecological issue.