Water in the River Adur is even cleaner now that the second stage of a £3 million environmental improvement scheme is complete
Posted: Friday 16th February 2007
Southern Water’s Steyning Wastewater Treatment Works in West Sussex has been refurbished and had new treatment stages added to further improve the quality of the water recycled back into the River Adur.
The first stage of the work added an extra treatment process to remove phosphates from the wastewater. Phosphates are found in detergents, such as washing powder, and can cause increases in algal growth. Too much algae in the water can choke river wildlife, such as fish, by removing the oxygen.
The second stage of the Steyning scheme has replaced the screens which filter the wastewater when it first enters the works, and storm tanks have been installed to hold larger amounts of wastewater during heavy rain so it can be treated when the bad weather subsides.
Karl Taylor, Southern Water’s Programme Director, said: “I’m delighted that the work at the Steyning treatment works is now complete.
“Improving the environment is important to our business and the scheme here at Steyning is just one example of the way our investment is benefiting our local water courses.”
The work was carried out by Southern Water’s contractor 4Delivery (4D), a consortium comprising United Utilities, Costain and MWH. It is carrying out £750 million worth of environmental improvement and water quality schemes for Southern Water across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight between 2005 and 2010.
