SOUTHAMPTON waters are set to be saved from excess sewage thanks to a project costing nearly £13m.
Work to improve water quality and protect the environment is due to begin in January.
Southern Water plans to build a new underground storm shaft adjacent to the Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works to reduce the amount of sewage pumped out into the River Itchen during storms.
'Protect wildlife'
The shaft, estimated to take 18 months to build, will hold five million litres of water, which is the equivalent of two Olympic-size swimming pools.
Matthew Thompson from civil engineering company Binnies UK, said: “The storage tanks at the centre fill up if a storm is severe, and the sewage then flows out into the River Itchen.
“However, with the works, when the tanks are full, the wastewater will divert into this shaft, and then go through the treatment works again.
“There’s quite a lot of work to do and it’s expected to take 18 months as it’s a big job.
“It’s going to help protect the shellfish and other wildlife in the river from untreated water being discharged.”
READ MORE: Gruesome images show 'fatbergs' and blockages clogging sewers
'Fantastic news'
Construction work on the storm tank is expected to start in January 2023 and be completed by Autumn 2024.
It comes after Southern Water completed a £100m revamp of the Woolston works in 2020 and invested £5.5m to upgrade the Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works.
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Cllr Jeremy Moulton, shadow cabinet member for growth, said the planned work is “fantastic news.”
He said: “Storm water shafts will reduce the rare occasions when storm water drains spill into the River Itchen.
“The council is currently conducting a committee inquiry into the River Itchen and as part of this process we are engaging with Southern Water and other organisations about how we can improve the river, and we will be keen wherever possible to speed up investment in important infrastructure such as this.”
'Judged by results, not announcements'
However, environmental campaigners said Southern Water should be “judged by results, not by announcements”.
Gavin Millar from Friends of the Itchen Estuary (FIE) campaign said: “It's good to hear that in the future Southern Water will be able to store a larger volume of wastewater at their Woolston sewage works.
“It will be an improvement if this reduces the discharge of sewage from the works during periods of heavy rain.
“Southern Water's commitment to cleaning up its act should be judged by results, not by announcements about future investments - which is why FIE demands real-time and online information about discharges of sewage into the river from Portswood sewage works.”
READ MORE: Protesters don poo outfits to send message to Southern Water
Residents can find out more information about the plans on November 24 by attending a drop-in between 3pm and 7pm at Southampton Sailing Club in Victoria Road.
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