Reference: 23/WW/22/7 ISBN: 978-1-84057-978-9 Published Date: 22/06/2023 Storm overflows discharge diluted untreated sewage into the environment. The 2021 Environmental Act required companies, regulators and the government to reduce their environmental impacts.
Ofwat support this and require companies to reduce pollution incidents by 30% by 2025. Eradication by sewerage system separation could cost between £350 and £600 billion.
This project, contributing to Big Question 6 “How do we Achieve Zero uncontrolled discharges from sewers by 2050” provides an understanding of options and costs to address storm overflows.
A literature review identified commercially available treatment options for a number of different categories of storm overflows. The removal of debris using screens or separators could be viable at most sites but some systems require power.
Space and road access are factors when determining solutions and lack of power limits options available for organic pollution removal, disinfection and removal of emerging contaminants. Biological treatment (including nature-based solutions) is challenging due to the intermittent nature of storm overflows. |