Sewerage extensions

Press, 22 September 1987, Page 7

Sewerage extensions

The Ellesmere County Council has agreed to proceed in principle with extensions to the Leeston sewage-treatment plant, which would then be capable of treating the area’s sewage for the next 30 years.

The County Engineer, Mr Robert Anderson, said at the council’s meeting yesterday that the oxidation ponds had an area of 1.232 hectares which on the basis of normal biological loading gave a design population of 1200 people. Based on the most re-

cent census and figures obtained from two educational institutes, the connected population was believed to be 1168, he said. If all the available sections in Leeston had one occupied dwelling on them the design population would be exceeded.

It was apparent that extensions to the oxidation ponds were necessary for Leeston regardless of any possible future development, Mr Anderson said.

Preliminary discussions indicate that land next to the oxidation ponds may

be bought which would mean a 50 per cent increase in the treatment area. Projected population trends suggest that this Increase will provide for the area’s treatment needs until 2020.

Investigation should be made into water sources, Mr Anderson said, as these could make a significant difference to the construction and equipment needed.

Amounts of money required for the proposed extension and sources of funds have not yet been discussed.