Thames Water listened to the views of thousands of Enfield residents before submitting its updated plans to upgrade Deephams sewage works.
The £250 million upgrade is needed to meet stricter new river water quality standards, set by the Environment Agency, which will come into force in March 2017. It will also ensure the sewage works is fit to cope with the increasing demands of a growing population and heavier rainstorms, due to climate change.
Thames Water has now submitted the planning application to the London Borough of Enfield after extensive consultation with residents. This included a seven-week consultation period with 11 drop-in sessions, a dedicated website, leaflet hand-outs at Edmonton Green and Silver Street Stations to around 2,400 people and a number of community events in the area.
Head of the project, Nick Butler, said:
“Submitting this planning application is great news for local residents and watercourses. The upgrade will significantly reduce odour from the sewage works as well as improving local river water quality.
"We have spent an extra seven weeks having very productive conversations with Enfield residents, listening and acting on their priorities, needs and concerns. This time has been invaluable in putting together what I now believe to be a very robust plan to upgrade Deephams sewage works – one we are fully committed to delivering.”
The upgrade of Deepham’s sewage treatment infrastructure, which will take around three years to build, includes:
- the phased development of primary settlement tanks
- aeration lanes with integrated fixed film activated sludge (ifas) media
- final settlement tanks
- pumping stations
- blower house and control room buildings
- odour control covers to primary settlement tanks
- inlet works, anoxic zones and secondary digesters
- three odour control units
- combined heat and power units
- additional storm storage and ancillary plant
Thames is also proposing measures to address flood risk at the site including sustainable drainage system and a soakaway.
Following assessment of all comments received, the application will be reported to the Council’s Planning Committee for determination. Deadline for submission of comments on the application is 5th August, with a target date of 6th October for a determination on the application by Enfield Council.
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