A £1.8 million project to help protect the environment in and around Over Stratton will get under way at the edge of the village next month.
Fresh storage capacity will be built at Over Stratton Water Recycling Centre, on Oakland Lane, as part of Wessex Water’s commitment to reduce the release of diluted untreated water via storm overflows as part of the five-month scheme.
The work, which is being carried out by YTL Construction on behalf of Wessex Water, will see a 41,000-litre tank on the site, to allow excess water during storms that can flood the sewer network to be safely stored for later treatment.
Storm overflows are designed to operate automatically to protect homes from flooding when the sewerage network becomes overwhelmed during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
Wessex Water is committing £8.5 million a month of investment to reduce how often storm overflows operate, with more nature-based solutions and promoting better rainwater management also part of the programme.
The Over Stratton project will take place until January and be located entirely within the current site boundary at the end of Oakland Lane, although some heavy goods vehicle deliveries will take place along Over Stratton Road, South Harp and Oakland Lane at times during the week.
Local sewerage services will be unaffected by the work, part of an overall £580 million investment by Wessex Water between now and 2030.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “This work will help to protect water quality, reduce the impact of storms on local ecosystems and ensure that the site continues to comply with standards set by the Environment Agency. It will also help to further increase the amount of wastewater treated.’’
Should there be any questions about the project, customers can call 0345 600 4 600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/contact-us. More information about Wessex Water’s work to protect the environment is available at wessexwater.co.uk/overflows
