South West Water has hosted a visit by local councillors to its Camels Head Sewage Treatment Works in Plymouth to learn more about proposed improvements worth over £3 million at the site.
Camels Head has a history of odour-related problems, although the situation has significantly improved in recent years following investment, detailed investigations and proactive odour control measures,
The water company is now planning to replace the site's primary settlement tanks which remain the main source of the ongoing intermittent odour problems due to their age and outdated configuration.
Last week two South West Water's Head of Waste Water, Richard Gilpin took councillors on a tour of the works and provided more information about the proposals.
The two options currently being considered are:
a) Replacing the existing primary settlement tanks with four modern tanks, built on the same footprint
b) Replacing the primary settlement tanks with new 'primary filtration' technology
Richard Gilpin explained:
"The tanks are part of the original treatment process and are now nearly 80 years old. They are challenging to operate and keep clean, as well as having a large surface area, all of which can contribute to odour issues.”
"Our scoping team have been hard at work looking at all the viable options for the space available, currently occupied by the primary settlement tanks. We have narrowed this down to two preferred options for further detailed development.”
"The project presents some challenges because the existing site is surrounded on all sides and is fully developed within its boundaries, so there are no free areas available for further construction.
"We are confident that both options will substantially reduce the risk of odour from Camels Head, and it is important that we make the right decision for the site. There is more analysis to do but we expect to make a decision on the preferred option very soon, with a view to starting work later in the year."
The significant investment proposed for Camels Head in South West Water's business plan for 2015-20 received final approval from Ofwat on 12 December 2014.
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