Plans Revealed For St Bees Wastewater Treatment Upgrade
A major wastewater improvement scheme is planned for St Bees to increase stormwater storage and help protect the local coastal environment.
The proposed work will involve the installation of a new above-ground stormwater storage tank at the wastewater treatment works in the West Cumbrian village. The project is intended to increase the amount of water that can be temporarily held during periods of heavy rainfall.
The new tank will have a storage capacity of 3,000 cubic metres. This is equivalent to approximately 30,000 bath tubs and will provide additional capacity within the existing wastewater system.
The proposed investment is expected to significantly reduce the number of stormwater spills from the treatment works. Once completed, the scheme is expected to reduce spills into the Irish Sea by more than 90 per cent.
The planned work follows improvements already carried out within the local sewer network. Around 900 metres of sewer lining was completed during the summer as part of efforts to reduce the amount of groundwater entering the wastewater system.
Reducing groundwater infiltration can help improve the performance of the sewer network by limiting the additional water entering the system. The completed lining work forms part of a wider programme of improvements being carried out in the St Bees area.
The next stage will focus on increasing storage capacity at the wastewater treatment works itself. The proposed above-ground tank is intended to provide additional protection during periods when rainfall places greater pressure on the local sewer network.
The scheme is expected to support efforts to improve water quality along the St Bees coastline. Reducing stormwater spills can help limit the discharge of wastewater into the marine environment during periods of heavy rainfall.
The project forms part of a wider investment programme covering water and wastewater infrastructure across the North West. The programme includes measures aimed at protecting rivers, lakes and bathing waters in communities served by the regional water network.
The wider investment programme is valued at more than £13 billion. It is intended to support improvements across more than 500 kilometres of rivers, lakes and bathing waters, alongside measures designed to safeguard water supplies.
Residents in St Bees will have an opportunity to view the proposals and speak directly with members of the project team. A public drop-in event has been arranged so that local people can find out more about the planned work.
The consultation event will take place at The Seacote Hotel on Beach Road in St Bees. Residents will be able to attend between 2pm and 7pm on September 29 to view the plans and ask questions about the proposed upgrade.
The event will also provide an opportunity for people to understand how the proposed storage tank fits into the wider programme of improvements. Project representatives will be available to discuss the work and provide information about the planned infrastructure.
The combination of the completed sewer rehabilitation work and the proposed additional storage is intended to improve the resilience of the local wastewater network. The measures are also expected to contribute towards longer-term protection of the coastal environment around St Bees.
Further details about the proposed scheme are expected to be available during the public event. Residents can use the session to raise questions about the proposals and understand the next stages of the planned wastewater treatment upgrade.
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