A £5M programme of work to improve Saltburn’s bathing water quality, including upgrades to the sewer network, is expected to start next month.
Northumbrian Water will begin the one year project on December 1. The scheme will reduce the frequency and volume of spills to water courses from the sewer network during times of heavy rainfall, improving quality of water in local streams, rivers and in the sea.
Works to be carried out by contractor Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineering include upgrading sections of the sewer network at Guisborough, Tocketts Bridge and Dunsdale.
An underground storm water storage tank, which will hold up to 6000 cubic metres of storm water, is to be built on the former Guisborough sewage treatment works (STW) site. This will take one year.
Meanwhile a three month programme of works to increase pumping capacity at Tocketts Bridge pumping station will be carried out, starting in December.
A third phase of the scheme will involve work to transfer waste water from Dunsdale STW to Marske STW, where it will be treated and also disinfected with ultra violet light before being discharged to sea through the existing long sea outfall. This will see 100 metres of new sewer pipe installed.
The Environment Agency’s Julie Brooker said: “We have already helped improve bathing water quality at Saltburn by working with other organisations to halt the flow of polluted water from abandoned ironstone mines. This new project is another step forward in improving the cleanliness of the resort’s water to help meet stricter standards which come into force next year.”
Northumbrian Water’s operations director Graham Neave said: “This investment reflects our commitment to protecting our beautiful coastline and our understanding of the importance of the impact of North East beaches on tourism, the economy and the leisure industry in our region.”
Photo copyright Terry Madeley and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
