Southern Water have been carrying out network surveys in Shanklin as part of a major scheme to bring local bathing water quality up to the ‘excellent’ rating by 2020.
Shanklin is 1 of 7 coastal areas selected for a range of improvements as part of an innovative £31.5 million Bathing Water Enhancement Programme, the first of its kind in the UK.
The water company have been speaking to hundreds of customers to help trace property misconnections – where wastewater pipes are incorrectly plumbed meaning flows from toilets, kitchens and bathrooms run out to sea without treatment.
Around £6.6million is set to be spent in Shanklin and Southern Water will be working closely with Isle of Wight Council on tackling misconnections and other issues – such as dog waste on the beach – which are currently preventing its bathing water reaching the highest standard.
The checks are being carried out by surveying experts WERM Ltd. If they find a misconnection, Southern Water will work with property owners and the Council’s environmental health team to find the quickest and easiest way to put it right.
Southern Water Programme Manager Brian Rousell said:
“The South East’s bathing waters are already among the cleanest in the UK, but our customers have asked us to do more to help them get even better.
“We’re working in seven areas, including Shanklin, to help them reach the highest rating of ‘excellent’ by 2020 and stay there.
Article continues below this advertisement “We want to thank customers for their help – this will form a major of part of improving bathing water quality for us all to enjoy.”
Councillor John Hobart, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member responsible for environment and heritage said:
“The water quality at Shanklin is good but we would like it to be even better so the announcement that work is due to start here under Southern Water’s Bathing Water Enhancement Programme, is great news and extremely welcome.
“This is an excellent investment into one of the most popular beaches on the Island, for both visitors and residents alike and the council is looking forward to working with Southern Water, and local community groups in partnership, in order to achieve the aim of making Shanklin’s water excellent for bathing.”
For more information, visit www.southernwater.co.uk/bathingwaterenhancement. To find out how you can check your home for misconnections, visit www.connectright.org.
