‘Unprecedented’ spending on water and waste networks
Southern Water has revealed an ‘unprecedented’ level of spending on the water and waste networks in Sussex since 2020.
Thecompanyrevealedonfridaythatithadspent£333million in Sussex in the past four years on major waste and water improvement projects.
Southern Water said this includes £157million on wastewatertreatmentprocessestoimprove the quality of final effluent discharge at 37 sites.
Speaking at the Hardham water supply works, head of wastewater asset strategy and planning Chris Braham said the firm plans to invest a further £137million in the coming year, taking the overall spend in the county to £470million in five years.
Chris added: “We’re looking to invest up to £1.5billion across the region since 2020 by this time next year.”
Southern Water said the spending only accounted for planned construction projects relating to its water and wastewaterinfrastructureanddidnot include regular reactive projects and workstreams, the £45million ‘innovative approaches’ of its Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force to cutting storm overflows, or the money it is spending beyond what the company agreed with regulators before 2020 to drive its Turnaround Plan forward, mostly to combat pollution and flooding.
The firm said the 2024/25 financial year marked the ‘final stretch’ for its current five-year spending period and Turnaround Plan, which delivers ‘fast-tracked’ performance improvements. John Penicud, director for wastewateroperations,said:“as we enter an absolutely crucial yearforsouthernwaterandthe wider water industry, it is right we are open with our customers about what we are spending on improvingourperformanceand where the money is going.
“Contrary to some claims aired in the media and among thepublic,i’dliketoreassureyou thatwearespendingourbillpayers’ and our shareholders’ money in an ambitious, targeted and evidence-based way to fix the issues we know we face.”
Mr Braham said: “I understand that we’re not currently meeting the expectations that our customers might have of us but that’s exactly why were are investing in our infrastructure.
“We’re looking to improve the treatment and resilience of our water supply works but also some significant investment in improving our environment through the wastewater treatment and the storm overflows, which is one of our key priorities.”
Mr Braham said many improvementswerefocusedonthe environment, including a reduction of storm overflows.
He added improving wastewater treatment was about removingthenutrientsthatgointo riverstoimprovetheirecological status.
Southern Water’s investment in Sussex since 2020 also include: £32million to build the resilienceofitsmajorwatersupply works and networks by upgrading treatment processes to ensurewaterqualityandinstalling back up power generators to reduce the risk of supply interruptions, and £9million to improve its process of taking water from the environment.