Major sewage project guidelines approved

Planning guidelines for sewage treatment projects have been approved by the UK government, with two projects in London cited in the statement.

Two wastewater treatment plants in London have been included in the national policy statements, which outlines the UK government's policy for developments of 'national significance'. The Waste Water National Policy Statement is a key indicator of government policy on the provision of waste water infrastructure, and will be used as the primary basis for making decisions in the future.

Environment minister Richard Benyon commented on the proposed developments at Deephams in north-east London and the Thames Tunnel, saying: "London's sewerage is under considerable pressure due to a system that is close to capacity and due to changing land use in London and, of course, population expansion."

This has led to untreated waste water being leaked into the river Thames, significantly impacting water quality. Extensive studies have been implemented by the government to resolve issues that are of 'national importance' such as the water quality in the British capital's river.

Thames Water and the Environment Agency have recently been called in to investigate river pollution caused by sewage from a blocked sewer in Luton, just outside London. Luton Hoo experienced 'significant pollution', which had starved fish of oxygen.

Posted by Joseph Hutton