Southern Water has set out plans to make £30 million of improvements to wastewater treatment works in the New Forest and Hampshire.
The company said works are due to begin at Whiteparish, Lyndhurst, Romsey and Redlynch to add additional treatment processes aimed at lowering phosphorous and iron levels in the water.
At Redlynch, work to reduce storm overflows will be include increasing the capacity to process higher flows during heavier rainfall and a storm tank will be installed.
Daniela Pinto, project manager for the schemes, said: “We’re keen to continue investing in our wastewater treatment works across our region and improve water quality. These works will help reduce storm overflows and also help the environment by reducing the amount of phosphorous in the water.”
Updated regulations from the Environment Agency necessitated the work to ensure the sites meet effluent effluent levels as specified in permits.
The government introduced a duty through the Levelling up and regeneration act for water companies to upgrade sewage treatment works.
By April 2030, sites in sensitive catchments will required to achieve 69% reduction of total phosphorus loads and 57% lower nitrogen.
The company is investing £6.2 million at Whiteparish; £2.9 million at Lyndhurst; £3 million at Romsey; £4.7 million at Redlynch; £6.4 million at Brockenhurst, and £6.7 million at Sway.
Work at all sites has begun and is anticipated to be completed by December 2024.
For the next regulatory period (AMP8), Southern has proposed spending £3 billion between 2020-25 to improve environmental performance.