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Pollution checks to be increased at Chichester Harbour |
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Written by step
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Saturday, 07 July 2007 |
The frequency of water quality monitoring is to be increased at Chichester Harbour. At the same time more information is
to be provided to the public on the quality of water in the Harbour.
The move follows a summit set up to discuss
the issues around sewage discharge and water quality at the Harbour.
The
meeting was organised by West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for
Environment and Economy, Louise Goldsmith. Delegates included
representatives from Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Southern Water,
Portsmouth Water, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Chichester
District Council, Surrey and Sussex Health Protection Unit and the
County Council.
The
meeting heard that the Apuldram Waste Water Treatment Works is
currently being improved. This should improve the level of treatment
and help the Works cope with large volumes of water during periods of
heavy rainfall. At the same time storm water discharges from a water
over flow at Fishbourne are being investigated.
The situation is complicated because there are 30 private sewage discharges into the Harbour. A large
volume of natural “groundwater” is also infiltrating the public sewerage system.
To
give the public more information about pollution levels the Harbour
Conservancy will publish the results of its own weekly water quality
tests. These will be issued alongside the Environment Agency’s
monitoring within the Harbour which will be increased from quarterly to
bi-monthly.
It was also decided to raise the issues of water quality and the water industry’s investment programme at the
County Council’s next meeting with West Sussex MPs.
West
Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy,
Louise Goldsmith said, “I am delighted at the outcome of this summit.
It was gratifying to see so many organisations all working together
with the aim of bringing about improvements to the Harbour.
“Many
residents have expressed their concerns about pollution levels at the
Habour. The increased monitoring and the publication of the results
will help everyone gain a better understanding of the situation.
“Climate change means it is essential that we tackle this
problem now to prevent further damage to this environmentally sensitive and important area.”
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