The water company upgraded the town’s sewage treatment works in Bleadon, meaning it can now store more stormwater and treat sewage to a higher standard before it is released into the estuary.
Wessex Water was forced to carry out the works because under the revised Bathing Water Directive, which comes into force in 2015, and based on historical sampling results, the water quality would be assessed as “poor”.
The firm has built four tanks that can hold 21,000 cubic metres of water, which will increase the amount of wastewater that can be treated during intense rainfall events and reduce the likelihood of emergency discharge from the overflow near Black Rock. It has also improved secondary treatment and ultraviolet disinfection capacity which will reduce levels of bacteria in treated wastewater.
David Elliott, director of environment and assets, Wessex Water said: “We have increased capacity at the treatment plant so we can store and treat more stormwater, which will reduce the impact this can have on river and sea water quality during periods of intense rainfall.
“We want to ensure we have done everything possible to protect the environment and local beaches so they remain designated bathing waters and continue to attract tourists to the north Somerset area which the local economy so heavily relies on.”
The new treatment facilities at the sewage works were officially opened today by Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose.