By Isle of Wight Observer
A £4 1/2 million upgrade, at Calbourne Wastewater Treatment Works, has been completed, bringing improvements to the quality of treated water entering the Caul Bourne stream.
The project is expected to benefit the local environment by improving the treatment processes used before wastewater is returned to the watercourse. Improvements upstream are intended to have a positive impact beyond the immediate area.
Works at the Calbourne site included the installation of a new ferric dosing system, the addition of a new tank, and the refurbishment of the site’s reedbeds. Reedbeds act as natural filtration systems, helping to further clean treated wastewater before it is discharged back into the environment.
Taniko Aston-Kolek, project manager for Southern Water, said the project showed how targeted investment can deliver environmental benefits. She said the upgraded treatment processes would help protect the Caul Bourne, and contribute towards cleaner seas around the Isle of Wight, supporting improvements to water quality across the region.
Martin Richards, project manager for contractor GTb, said it was good to see the work completed, and thanked residents of Calbourne for their patience while the project was carried out.