A major redesign of a wastewater treatment works near Whitstable in Kent, UK, is set to reduce storm overflows in the area by up to 30%.
The work at Southern Water’s Swalecliffe site is enabling the existing works to store much more storm water in its pipes and tanks than ever before, meaning that wet weather will be less likely to overload the site – leading to a possible storm overflow into the sea, to prevent flooding.
Southern Water worked closely with the Environment Agency on the complex engineering solution, leading to a complete overhaul of how the site works, thanks to the installation of new chambers and pipework.
This has created 1,800 cubic metres of extra storage capacity, allowing space for 450 litres of storm water per second to be contained.
In total, Southern Water is investing over £25 million (€29 million) on upgrades to the Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment works, including the replacement of the storm overflow pipe.
Southern Water’s project manager, Jon Yates, said: “We are under no illusions that our environmental performance in the Whitstable area must improve and this is just the latest milestone in the programme of work we’re doing to address storm overflows here.
“It is really positive that the redesign of the Swalecliffe site is set to cut storm overflows by up to 30%, but we are keen to press ahead and continue our work to increase this number with other measures we’re taking in the area.”
Innovative engineering solutions to reduce storm overflows
