GUERNSEY Water will shortly be going out to tender in order to appoint the most suitable contractor for the Belle Greve inlet works project.
The project, which is due to commence early in 2012 once the States of Deliberation has approved the tender choice, involves replacing the existing inlet facility with a new treatment plant that will remove grit and other non-biodegradable material through the use of state-of-the art mechanical screens. The screens will remove from the flow any material which is larger than 6mm in diameter (the size of a small garden pea).
Storm-water storage tanks will also be installed to increase the capacity of wastewater that can be held during peak flows (when heavy rainfall combines with high tides), preventing the need to discharge untreated overflow into the sea.
The treatment plant will be housed within a building that will have a purpose-designed odour control system, meaning that no obnoxious smells will inconvenience neighbouring properties. The project, which is being funded from States’ central revenue, is expected to take 18 months to complete, and Guernsey Water will endeavour to ensure that inconvenience for nearby residents and businesses is kept to a minimum.
Another important part of the strategic improvement of the wastewater infrastructure is a marine study which is currently being carried out by experts Intertek METOC. This study will assess the condition of the receiving waters of the Little Russel, and provide the data required as to whether (and if so to what level) further sewage treatment is required before a discharge license is granted by the Environmental Regulator. A report on these results will be put before the States in due course.
Mr Redhead confirmed that the Intertek METOC study will be funded by the part of the new wastewater charge which relates to ‘sewage treatment investigation options’, for which each customer will pay £50 per annum for a four-year period.
Tags: Andrew Redhead, Belle Greve Bay, Guernsey Wastewater, Guernsey water, Intertek METOC.