12 January 2010
Background
Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works was completed in summer 1996 as part of a £150 million investment programme along the Fylde coast. This helped improve local bathing waters by ending the daily discharge of millions of litres of untreated wastewater from the Fylde coast.
As part of this work we built a large sewer, 14 kilometres long and wide enough to drive a car through. It runs under the promenade in Blackpool through Anchorsholme to Fleetwood. The pipe collects all the sewage from Blackpool, Fleetwood and the surrounding areas and brings it to Fleetwood to be treated. Previously all the waste was discharged into the sea before the Fleetwood treatment plant was constructed.
Since the plant was completed 13 years ago a number of problems have developed which have affected the operation of the works and the sewer system along this part of the Fylde coastline.
These problems have developed due to operational difficulties at the treatment works and because the sewer network has become overloaded.
Our improvement plans
We are now working with the Environment Agency to deliver a refurbishment programme for Fleetwood wastewater treatment plant, our pumping station at Manchester Square and our storm storage tanks at Bloomfield Road in excess of £70 million.
£58 million of this will be invested at the treatment works over the next eighteen months to refurbish and expand the works and to improve wastewater treatment and odour management. This will ensure that the works is able to meet future demand.
Update
Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works
The project commenced at the treatment plant in December 2007 with work to replace four of the existing six screens. The screens act as a sieve to filter the larger particles of waste from the flow. When the screens are in operation they allow flow to full treatment of 2,300 litres per second. This work is now completed with all four new screens in operation.
We are constructing four large primary settlement tanks with a total capacity of approximately 20,000m3. The flow will enter the tanks and the sludge will settle to the bottom of the tank. The settled sludge will then be taken to the new sludge plant for treatment. We have started work on preparing the land to where the settlement tanks will stand. The tanks are 38 metres in diameter and will not be visible to the general public as they will be burried.
The delivery of our improvement plans are formally enforced by the Environment Agency to ensure timely delivery.
Bloomfield Road Storage Tanks
The storm tanks at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool are underground. They are 40 metres deep and 36 metres wide with a capacity of 30 million litres each, that's the equivalent of 60 million toilet flushes. During times of heavy rainfall these tanks fill up and store flow until the storm has subsided and the Fylde coast tunnel can take the flows for treatment to Fleetwood treatment works.
The storm pumps have now been repaired and fully refurbished and will be returned to site in time for the next outage which is planned for February 2010.
Manchester Square Pumping station
Manchester Square is an emergency overflow that discharges out to sea during storm conditions. We are permitted to do this by the Environment Agency and are very closely monitored on the frequency we discharge to sea. We only discharge in storm conditions and when the treatment works at Fleetwood is unable to cope with the capacity, and the storm tanks at Bloomfield Road are full. The sea outfall is 2.2 metres in diameter, 1km outfall to sea and can discharge at a rate of up to 12,000 litres per second.
Work is progressing well and on target to achieve compliance with the Environment Agency Enforcement Notice to complete the permanent solution to contain storm spills.
Anchorsholme Pumping Station Outfall
In addition to the improvement work we are doing to the Fylde Sewer Network, in January 2008 the freight ship 'Riverdance' grounded on our wastewater outfall pipe at Anchorsholme. Following a number of months the boat was broken up and removed. We have now started work to repair the damaged pipe. Work has recently been delayed due to the severe weather conditions that have affected much of the region. The damaged pipe has now been cut away and the new pipe in on site ready for installation. We anticipate the work to take approximately six months to complete and the cost will be over £2 million pounds.
We are continuing to work closely with both Blackpool and Wyre councils to plan our programme of work on the Fylde Coast, and to minimise the impact of the construction works on traffic and the tourist season. We also recognise the importance of ensuring that beaches and the sea remain clean for residents, visitors and wildlife.
Customer Help and Information Point (CHIP), 172 Lord Street, Fleetwood
The 'CHIP' shop on Lord Street in Fleetwood closed on 23 October 2009 having received a steady stream of customers since opening in September 2008.
If you have any concerns about the work at the Fleetwood wastewater treatment works or any other work on the Fylde coast, please phone us on 0845 746 2200. Alternatively if you have an issue with odour in the Fleetwood are phone our dedicated hotline on 0800 781 7134 quoting 300327. The Fleetwood forum remains an established group who meet regularly and can represent any issues you may have.
Other news
In April, local MP Joan Humble had a tour of the sites with representatives from the Environment Agency and United Utilities. The feedback we received from both Joan Humble MP and the Environment Agency regarding our progress was very positive.
The Fleetwood forum of local representatives has also been established. You can address any concerns you have about about work in your area either directly or through these forums.
Keeping you informed
Visit our website for regular updates.
Watch out for our monthly updates in the Blackpool Gazette
Phone us on our hotline: 0800 781 7134, quoting project no: 300237.
All information you report to us on odours at the treatment works is shared with the Environment Agency and with Wyre Borough Council.