Update on Eastbourne Treatment Works

Following the fire at Eastbourne Treatment Works this summer, the Treatment Works odour control system failed and in addition to the limited progress from Southern Water Services Ltd (SWS) Ltd, Eastbourne Borough Council (the Council) began formal legal action and served an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Since then, it is felt by a number of residents and other stakeholders that SWS has not been moving far enough or fast enough to fix the issues and disappointment with SWS for failing to keep residents and other stakeholders sufficiently updated has been expressed.

With ongoing pressure from the Council, the situation has finally begun to improve.

SWS have begun the process of acid cleaning these odour control units, which should result in a significant reduction in odour. It is expected that this process will be complete within the next two weeks.

Further maintenance and cleaning will be carried out in November to help prevent odours in the long-term.

SWS have committed to holding an in-person customer drop-in event (expected to be November) to answer questions and hear concerns from residents directly. We will share details of this event when it is confirmed.

Council officers will be meeting with SWS again next week to agree an enhanced programme of monitoring, designed to better respond to any system failures in future.

Picture credit: Copyright Ian Capper

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