Wastewater released from an Isle of Wight treatment plant into a rural stream — which eventually runs into Newtown Creek nature reserve — could become cleaner.
It comes as plans are lodged by Southern Water to extend the Calbourne Wastewater Treatment Works — one of 20 plants on the Island.
The centre currently treats sewage from around 130 people but could expand to accommodate the predicted growth in the area in the next 12 years.
The site on the Middle Road holds tanks, plants and buildings in the wastewater treatment process, and the effluent, once treated, is discharged into Calbourne Stream.
The stream starts at the iconic Winkle Street, flowing down to the treatment plant before the water is joined by the treated waste and ends up at Newtown Creek.
The works are being proposed, Southern Water says, to comply with an enhanced environmental permit for phosphorous as set by the Environment Agency.
Phosphorous is found in wastewater — coming from human waste, foods, certain soaps and detergents — and in excess quantities can lead to water quality problems like harmful, toxic algal growth.
The proposed development could improve the standard of the treated effluent that is discharged into the environment and the water quality of the stream.
New equipment is required but there is insufficient space at the current Calbourne site so the water company is looking to expand the works to the east, by approximately 680sqm, as well as upgrade what is already there.
In planning documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, Southern Water says, the new plant items — which includes pumps, monitors and phosphorous-removing equipment — have been designed to be as small as possible while still having the sufficient capacity to do their job.
A planting plan has also been submitted, so the site does not negatively impact the landscape and could see 218sqm of meadow grassland, native hedgerows and trees planted.
If the works are approved, construction could take about a year, including 16 weeks of commissioning, mechanical and electrical installation and landscaping.
The Environment Agency requires the works to be completed by December 22, 2024.
You can view the plans, 23/01415/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning portal. Comments can be made until September 18.
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