Preliminary work is set to begin in Cockington Lane Sewage Pumping Station in Torbay to build a 360 metre underground storm storage tank. The scheme is part of a £5m project by South West Water to improve the cleanliness of bathing water in the local area.
This additional capacity, along with numerous other improvements, will mean fewer discharges from the sewerage network during extremely wet weather.
The overall project has been prompted by the European Union’s revised Bathing Water Directive which comes into effect in 2015, and is designed to improve the quality of bathing water which is vital for the tourist industry in the area.
Project Manager Mike Court said: “We believe that with the help of the local community, this major investment will help to provide tourists and the people of Torbay with top quality bathing water for many years to come.”
In the past twenty years, South West Water alone has invested more than £2bn towards transforming bathing quality water across the region. Investment is continuing with the likes of Combe Martin, Lyme Regis, Looe, Mothecombe, Seaton and Teignmouth all undergoing schemes in preparation for the directive going live. Work is already underway in Torquay to construct a 2,000 cubic metre storm storage tank in Abbey Park.
Construction work is scheduled for completion in March 2015.