Southern Water reengineers Whitstable works to cut storm spills by up to 30%

Southern Water has reengineered its Swalecliffe wastewater works near Whitstable to provide 1,800 cubic metres of extra storage capacity, allowing space for 450 litres of stormwater per second to be contained. The £750,000 project expected to cut storm discharges in the area by up to 30%.

In addition, Southern is investing £25m to upgrade the works, as well as undertaking a range of other initiatives to improve its environmental performance in the Kent coastal area, which has been highlighted and challenged by local campaign group SOS Whitstable.

These initiatives include installing 2,000 slow-draining water butts at homes near Tankerton Beach in collaboration with community groups, and introducing sustainable drainage schemes.