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Sewage Pipe Plan Sparks Environmental Fears
22 Jun
Summary
- A £245m project plans to discharge treated wastewater offshore.
- Councillors question environmental impact and bathing water quality.
- Northumbrian Water states the project follows regulatory directives.
A significant project by Northumbrian Water, estimated at £245 million, is facing scrutiny from local councillors due to concerns about its environmental impact.
The plan involves constructing a partially underground pipe to transport treated wastewater from the Bran Sands Treatment Works in Middlesbrough to a point approximately 4.5km offshore from Coatham, Redcar.
Councillor Carl Quartermain has formally requested more information from the water company regarding environmental assessments, potential effects on bathing water quality, and projected discharge volumes.
Northumbrian Water has stated that the waste is cleaned to strict standards and that environmental surveys are currently underway. The company highlighted that the long sea outfall is a preferred option by Defra, intended to improve dilution and dispersal of treated water in the open sea, thereby protecting the Tees Estuary and its wildlife.
Concerns have also been raised about community awareness and engagement opportunities for the scheme, which is still in its early preparation stages. The water company assured that tunnelling methods would not negatively affect sensitive sand dunes along the proposed route.
