Improving bathing water quality near Swalecliffe

What have we done?

Following sea damage to the existing outfall, we replaced it with a longer pipe so that any storm overflow releases — which only happen rarely, as a last resort to prevent nearby homes and businesses flooding — are further out to sea and further from local beaches and bathing waters. Since July 2024, when the new outfall was installed, until the end of September 2025, there has been just one storm overflow release from the new outfall. To put the land back to how it was, we planted more than 20 different varieties of trees and shrubs as part of our 5-year landscape maintenance and management plan.

What are we doing?

In early 2026, our delivery partner CMDP+ will start an upgrade of the inlet screens at Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works. The new screens being installed will help to remove material which could cause blockages and damage to other vital pieces of equipment. This will help to improve the efficiency of the site, as well as reducing maintenance and repair costs.

Once the new inlet screens have been installed, CMDP+ will either demolish or move some of the existing machinery and equipment to prepare for the next major upgrade, starting around the middle of 2026.  Before the main work begins, our team will be in touch with the local community to provide more information and answer any questions.

How did we install the outfall?

Contact the Capital Projects Customer Team

You can email the Capital Projects Customer Team at capitalcomms@southernwater.co.uk. They will always get back to you within 5 working days, but usually less. 

Alternatively, you can call Southern Water on 0330 3030 368. Just tell us you’re calling about Capital Projects, with Project Reference Number (PRN) 780401 so we can help you more quickly.