Wessex Water has published its plan for dealing with storm overflows. The plan can be viewed here – Storm overflows (wessexwater.co.uk)
In summary they are:
- Committing to a multimillion pound programme to tackle storm overflows, investing £3 million a month, with work already underway.
- Sewage treatment will be upgraded at 42 of their sites to increase capacity and introduce more nature-based, low carbon treatment.
- They will make a 25% reduction in the number of hours of storm overflow discharges by 2025 and increase environmental and public health monitoring at key locations.
- More artificial intelligence will be used to manage the sewerage network and to provide real time bathing water information.
The Storm Overflows Improvement Plan will see every overflow in the region monitored by 2023. And by 2025, the number of hours storm overflows discharge reduced by 25%.
New storm tanks will be built and nature-based solutions, like wetlands and reed-beds implemented in rural locations. Work will also be carried out to separate rainwater from the sewer system. The continuing investment in artificial intelligence to monitor wild swimming sites will provide near real time information. A WebApp for Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is already being tested.
Capacity is being increased at Wessex Water’s two largest water recycling centres, serving Bristol and Bournemouth, to enable more stormwater to be stored and treated, with work due to start early next year.
Storm overflows have always been part of the UK’s sewerage network because most sewers carry both rainwater and foul sewage. The overflows prevent contaminated rainwater backing up and flooding people’s homes. Published river water quality data shows their impact on the water environment is minimal because of the significant dilution during rainfall and all overflows are licensed by the Environment Agency and rarely cause pollution.
“We understand the concerns about storm overflows and agree they should have no place in a 21st century sewerage system. This major investment is the start of decisive action to tackle storm overflows, and our longer term improvement plan sets out the further progress we will make over the coming years.
We have 1,300 overflows across the Wessex Water region, so it will take time and significant resources to eliminate them. By committing to spend £3 million every month on overflows, starting with those that discharge most frequently and those that have any environmental impact, we will make a good start.”
Wessex Water’s Storm Overflows Improvement Plan has been shared with water industry regulator Ofwat and regional environmental groups.