Southern Water Boosts Stormwater Storage in Queenborough to reduce Storm Overflows
Southern Water is investing £900,000 to upgrade Queenborough Wastewater Treatment Works in Kent, significantly increasing its stormwater storage capacity and helping to reduce storm overflows.
Engineering solution to reduce storm overflows in Queenborough
The scheme involves converting a disused Primary Settlement Tanks into a new storm tanks. Once finished, the upgrade will add 1,350 cubic metres of stormwater storage (or 5.4 million cups of tea!) —enough to prevent seven storm spills.
This project is part of a wider programme across Kent, with storm overflow reduction schemes also underway in Faversham, Herne Bay, Sittingbourne, and Whitstable.
It forms a key component of Southern Water’s £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which combines nature-based and engineering solutions to tackle storm overflows and improve water quality.
Optimising treatment works has proven successful in the past, with Southern Water reengineering Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works near Whitstable which has helped reduce storm overflows by 30 per cent.
James Latter, Pathfinder Project Manager at Southern Water, said:
“Repurposing an unused tank into storm storage is a smart, efficient solution. It’s a quick win that helps reduce spills and shows how we’re actively reviewing and improving our infrastructure to meet environmental goals and play our part in creating cleaner rivers and seas in Kent.”