The installation of a new storm tank at a wastewater treatment works near a Kent town will help to cut storm overflows into its local river during heavy rain.
Nearly £1m is being spent on the new engineering solution at Edenbridge Wastewater Treatment Works, and adds an additional 48m3 of capacity meaning the site can hold 678m3 of stormwater during wet weather and be fully treated later – rather than being released into the environment to prevent water backing up into people’s homes and other buildings in the community.
The works mean there will be fewer storm overflow releases into the River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, when there is heavy rainfall.
Southern Water says it agrees with their customers that this existing system of storm overflows is not acceptable – and this is why the company recently announced their Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which sets out how £1.5bn will be spent to reduce spills across their entire region through the use of nature-based and engineering solutions, like storm tanks.
Director of Wastewater Operations, John Penicud, said:
“We’re focusing on reducing the number of storm overflow releases and investing in infrastructure improvements is an important part of this process. This new storm tank is one of many ways we’re seeking to improve our environmental performance and make a positive difference across our region.”
