Balancing Carbon and Ecology.
By Graham Pollard, Balancing Carbon and Ecology project manager, Severn Trent Water
Over the past 20 years, effective regulation of sewage treatment has resulted in the rehabilitation of many Midlands rivers. Watercourses that were once so polluted that even sewage fungus which couldn’t survive in their waters now have substantial fish populations. However, “you get nought for nought”, and the cost of intensifying sewage treatment processes to meet water quality standards has been an increase in power usage, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions to atmosphere and higher bills for consumers.
Faced with the threat of global warming, sewage companies and the regulator are working together to re-think the difficult balance between carbon emissions, river water quality and cost to consumers.
For many thousands of years, human by-products were dumped on to land or into our rivers, with no particular consideration of the consequences to the
Credit: © Environment Agency Caption: Sewage outfall at Minworth, Birmingham
environment. However, in the UK, increasing population, industrialisation and rapid increases in urbanisation meant that by the mid 1800s the problems created by un-treated waste could no longer be ignored. Filthy urban living conditions, which frequently saw sewage flowing down the street and through the living quarters of the poor, resulted in the spread of fatal diseases such as cholera and typhus - but it was the stink that finally prompted action to deal with the problem.
The Public Health Act of 1875 brought together legislation covering sewerage and drains, water supply, housing and disease. Amongst other measures, it placed an obligation on local authorities to cover sewers, keep them in good condition and supply fresh water to their citizens. They were given power to purchase their local water company, but the lack of standards in both charges and
Working in Partnership We’ve made significant progress in water quality over the last 20 years. The Environment Agency, working with partners, is committed to driving further improvements as part of the Water Framework Directive. Further improvements to water industry discharges will play a significant role in achieving this goal. We’re also keen to take account of other factors, such as climate change and ensure the way we regulate promotes innovation and partnership.
We want to better understand the wider environmental implications of improving water quality Severn T
. We’ve been working in partnership with rent Water on our Balancing Carbon and Ecology programme.
The project has already identified opportunities to reduce carbon while improving water quality
. Our valuable work with Severn T rent Water
will feed into a wider national Environment Agency and water industry project with a broader focus. This includes looking at how controlling pollutants at source could reduce the energy and carbon emissions needed for sewage treatment.
We’re looking forward to continued partnership with Severn T make a difference for people and the environment.
Mark Sitton-Kent Midlands Director, Environment Agency
|62| ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE rent Water and others to
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