More than £3M has been invested in upgrades at Blackstone Wastewater Treatment Works, with the improvements already delivering benefits for the health of the River Adur and its tributaries.
Southern Water says the work at the treatment site, near Albourne, has now been completed and means the quality of treated water leaving the works meets the highest environmental standards. The upgrades will help protect the river environment, improve water quality and support wildlife downstream.
As part of the project, new chemical dosing equipment has been installed, including ferric dosing systems designed to remove higher levels of phosphorus from wastewater before it is released. Phosphorus can have a damaging impact on rivers and streams if levels become too high, so reducing it is seen as a key step in improving the overall health of the waterway.
The scheme has also included the installation of new settlement tanks, which separate solids from liquids more effectively during the treatment process. In addition, advanced control and monitoring systems have been introduced, allowing the site to operate more efficiently and respond quickly to any potential issues.
The upgrade programme was delivered by GTb on behalf of Southern Water. The company says the investment forms part of wider efforts to modernise wastewater infrastructure and improve river health across the region.
Lee McGrattan, Project Manager for GTb, said: “This has been a great project to get over the line. The team have worked hard over the last 18 months to ensure we meet the new environmental regulations set by the Environment Agency. This is one of dozens of projects we’ve worked on across the Southern Water region.”
Cecile Stanford, Project Manager for Southern Water, added: “This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to protect and improve the environment across our region. These improvements will mean less phosphorus and other pollutants will enter the River Adur and will help our wider work to safeguard rivers and seas.”
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