Southern Water has started work on a scheme in West Sussex to help improve water quality, reduce storm overflows and protect the environment in Rudgwick.

The project, which involves an investment of nearly £4 million, will take around nine months to complete the construction and a further three months to carry out commissioning of new equipment.

Project Manager for Southern Water, Lee Hooper, said:

“We know how important it is to protect and enhance water quality and our precious environment across the areas we serve. These vital improvements at Rudgwick add to the other investments we’re making in West Sussex.”

During this scheme, contractor GTb, which is a joint venture between Galliford Try Environment and Binnies UK Ltd, will install new equipment at Rudgwick Wastewater Treatment Works.

Work will include installing new equipment that will create an additional cleaning process to further improve the quality of water released to the environment along with new control units, as well as adding Ferric chemicals to the treatment process. 

The chemicals will further improve and speed up the treatment process, by removing solids quicker and lowering phosphorus levels.

New filters will also be installed so that the sewerage can be treated to a higher standard before being released back into the environment.

Lee McGrattan, Project Manager for GTb, added:

“We are pleased to be working collaboratively with Southern Water on this project to help improve the River Arun’s water quality and meet new Environment Agency targets.  The work we are doing will help protect the area around Rudgwick.”