Southern Water has set out plans to reduce discharges from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by 80% by 2030 through a combination of nature-based solution and increased network storage.
The company has established a storm overflow task force to cut discharges from CSOs in the coming decade. The task force will work in tandem with existing investment commitments to reduce all pollution incidents by 80% by the end of AMP7.
It will use nature-based solutions including ponds, wetlands, rain gardens and soak-aways, together with increased storage in the sewer network, to change the way heavy flows are dealt with. The company undertook an assessment in the summer that showed storm overflows could be reduced by 80% by reducing run-off from roads and roofs from entering the combined sewer system.
Ian McAulay, chief executive at Southern, said: ”There is a growing call to take action to reduce the frequency and impact of storm overflows. That is a task of scale and complexity and needs multi-sector collaboration and a join up of policy to make it happen, which of course appears difficult today.
“However, just twenty years ago, the quality of our coastal waters needed to improve drastically. Today, reflecting significant investment driven by focused policy, all 83 of our regional bathing waters meet strict European Standards and a total of 78 are rated excellent or good.
“Delivering a similar transformation in the reduction of storm releases is the logical next step and we believe this can be achieved. We will play our part in leading and driving the collaboration and investment needed.”
The Environment Bill, which was recently passed into law, included a requirement for wastewater companies to achieve a “progressive reduction” in the adverse impact of sewage discharges from storm overflows on the environment and public health. The clause was added by the government following a public backlash over the omission of a new duty proposed by the Duke of Wellington for companies to take “all reasonable steps” to eliminate discharges.
Earlier this year, Southern made near real-time data publicly available through its BeachBuoy app as part of its effort to be transparent about the use of overflows.