Winchester council to upgrade four waste water treatment works

The works, which serve council houses in the countryside, are also used by Winchester City Council to generate nutrient credits.

The credits are bought by developers to offset the environmental impact of schemes. 

The funds were approved at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 16. 

Cllr Chris Westwood, cabinet member for housing, said: “In 2019, Natural England issued advice to Winchester City Council that requires all new overnight development to mitigate for any increase in nutrient pollution arising from development that may harm internationally protected sites. 

“Further advice was issued in March 2022 requiring the further mitigation of phosphorus for new overnight accommodation within the catchment of the River Itchen.

READ MORE: Winchester sewage treatment works 'unlikely' to overflow into rivers

“The impact of this has been several new housing schemes are held in abeyance, including council house development schemes.”

He added: “The purpose of this report is to seek approval, subject to individual business cases, to upgrade four treatment works in order to generate nutrient credits, approval of a budget envelope and approval of a strategy for use of those credits, including disposal of credits to the external market.”

Former city councillor Ian Tait had some concerns about the proposals. He said: “Whilst I welcome the cabinet paper, I do have some concerns based on the fact that water treatment works that the council owns and operates, at present, are discharging waste water into our rivers and water courses with much higher levels of nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates.

Ian Tait (Image: Newsquest)

“This means that some of our most important and sensitive natural habitats are being adversely affected by the general deterioration in water quality. I'm not sure we can class ourselves as being any better than Southern Water which is subject to criticism over the fact they have not upgraded their own sewage treatment works.”

Council leader Martin Tod said: “There is no overflow from any of our treatment works into the river. We're talking about nutrients, not sewage. While we're in this time of uncertainty, it's crucial we crack on and deliver improvements in our water quality. This will unlock more affordable housing. From my point of view, it's a win-win.”

Cllr Kelsie Learney, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “We need to take all the small steps we can, this is a climate emergency. This is a small step and it's one we can take now. Let's get on and with what we can, when we can.”

The proposal was unanimously approved.