Environment Agency reaches decision on UV treatment in the North East
07/05/2008
The Environment Agency has made its decision on applications to turn off ultraviolet (UV) treatment at six sewage treatment works on the North East coast outside the summer bathing season.
Following detailed studies at each of the sites, the Environment Agency has concluded that UV treatment can be switched off between October to April at Hendon, Billingham, Seaton Carew and Bran Sands.
The turning off of UV at Marske-by-the-Sea has been refused and at Howdon, UV can only be turned off between December and March. This decision is based on the numbers of surfers near these locations.
In October 2006 Northumbrian Water Limited applied to the Environment Agency to switch off UV treatment at six of their major sewage treatment sites outside of the summer bathing season.
The Environment Agency has considered the applications in detail and done technical studies and surveys to check the detailed information provided by Northumbrian Water Ltd. Several years bathing water data was reviewed to help assess the benefit of the UV treatment and maps were produced to show which areas of sea would be affected by the proposals. These were then compared to the areas where people were observed in the sea.
Dominic Shepherd at the Environment Agency said: “We have examined every aspect of the applications on a case by case basis, which has included looking at the number of water users who could be affected, the impact on water quality and the benefits of saving carbon dioxide emissions to atmosphere.
“Only when we were satisfied that risks to water users’ health would not be increased have we allowed the applications.
“We are confident that water quality will not be compromised and water users won’t be affected at these locations as a result of this decision.”
UV treatment is a process where ultraviolet light is applied to sewage effluent to reduce levels of bacteria, which reduces the risk of illnesses such as gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections in people who may come into contact with contaminated water during bathing or watersports.
Northumbrian Water applied to turn off this treatment outside of the bathing season (which lasts from 15 May to 30 September), partly to lower the company’s carbon emissions. These six works treat approximately 60 to 70 per cent of the total volume of sewage effluent treated by Northumbrian Water.
To support their applications Northumbrian Water provided surveys of the number of people observed in the sea during the spring, autumn and winter and also a computer modelling report to show the areas of sea that would be affected by increased levels of sewage related bacteria if UV treatment was turned off. The company also gave information which showed it would save 2,200 tonnes of carbon (CO2) emissions per year to help meet climate change targets.
During the assessment, the Environment Agency engaged Professor David Kay from the Centre for Research in Environment and Health (CREH) at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth as an external expert in the field of environment and health to review the technical parts of the applications.
Representations and consultation responses were considered as part of the assessment process.
As applications of this size and nature have not been made before and because of the large amount of public interest, several people requested that they be called in for determination by the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
DEFRA considered these requests and recently informed the Environment Agency that it did not wish to determine the applications, which enabled the Environment Agency to proceed to make the decisions.
Environment Agency policy allows UV treatment to be switched off where there is little or no bathing or immersion watersports taking place in the areas that would be affected by turning off the UV treatment.
A full copy of the decision document can be obtained by writing to the Environment Agency, External Relations, Tyneside House, Skinnerburn Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 7AR, or by visiting our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk under ‘North East’ region and ‘Regional issues’.
Ends
Notes to editors
We have made the following decisions on the six applications:
Howdon Sewage Treatment Works
The Environment Agency assessment concluded that a high level of surfing takes place at Tynemouth but not in the area that would be affected by turning off UV treatment at Howdon Sewage Treatment Works.
Studies show that South Shields is an area that would be marginally affected, but not to a statistically significant extent and only for a small percentage of the time. Low levels of surfing take place at South Shields during October and November but this reduces to little or no use in December to March. The Environment Agency has taken the precautionary view, that there is a very slight increase in risk at South Shields.
Taking this into account, the Environment Agency has taken the decision that, in addition to the bathing season, UV Treatment must be maintained at Howdon Sewage Treatment Works for the months of October, November and April when some surfing has been observed at South Shields. UV treatment is permitted to be switched off at Howdon Sewage Treatment Works during the months of December, January, February and March.
Hendon, Billingham, Seaton Carew and Bran Sands Sewage Treatment Works
The Environment Agency assessment concluded that no bathing or immersion watersports were taking place in the areas that would be affected by turning of UV treatment at any of Hendon, Billingham, Seaton Carew and Bran Sands Sewage Treatment Works. Based on this evidence, the Environment Agency has taken the decision that UV treatment may be switched off at these sewage treatment works outside of the bathing season.
Marske-by-the-Sea Sewage Treatment Works
The Environment Agency assessment concluded that a high level of surfing takes place at Saltburn in an area that could be affected by turning off UV treatment at Marske Sewage Treatment Works. In this case the Environment Agency has taken the decision to refuse the application. UV treatment must be maintained at Marske Sewage Treatment Works on a year round basis.
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