A £17 million investment at Wessex Water’s Water Recycling Centre site at Broadmead Lane in Keynsham has increased its treatment capacity by more than 40% to cope with the growing population.
Keynsham water recycling centre | Photo © Wessex Water
The major enhancement of the utility company’s site at the northern edge of the town is now fully in service after sister company YTL Construction UK concluded the two-year scheme.
The upgrade has significantly improved the ability to treat sewage and safeguard nearby watercourses, including the River Avon.
Up to 208 litres of sewage per second can be safely processed before being returned to the environment.
Additional equipment, such as new flow measurement processes for removing phosphorous from water, a 17-metre diameter primary settlement tank and upgraded power and a supply generator have also been introduced.
A 15-metre diameter storm tank, capable of holding more than 300,000 litres of excess water, will also play a key role in protecting the environment by reducing discharges of diluted untreated wastewater.
Where the network is overwhelmed by the arrival of rainwater during heavy storms, the water will be held in the tank before being returned for later safe treatment and return to the environment.
Wessex Water’s director of water recycling, Ashlea Lane, said: “The completion of this project reflects our commitment towards protecting the environment while supporting the growth of communities like Keynsham.
“By increasing treatment capacity and introducing new technologies to reduce pollution, we’re ensuring that this infrastructure is fit for the future, continues to meet the highest standards and is part of our wider ambition to improve water quality across the region.”
YTL Construction’s senior programme manager, Kelvin Brick, added: “This was an important project with our team working hard to plan and install important new equipment to a confined site, ensuring the centre will be fit for purpose as Keynsham continues to grow.’’
The completion comes in advance of the finish of a two-year £35 million expansion of the water recycling centre at nearby Saltford, which will boost the capacity of the Mead Lane site to treat sewage from the city of Bath and the surrounding area and is due to finish early next year.
Meanwhile, Wessex Water’s 2025-30 business plan proposes more than doubling its monthly spend on tackling storm overflows – from £3 million to £8.5 million a month (£580 million over five years).
A further £820 million is being proposed to improve river and coastal water quality, including removing more phosphorus, ammonia and nitrogen from wastewater – nutrients that can harm aquatic ecosystems.
The company says it is also continuing to lead the industry in transparency, being the first UK water company to publish storm overflow data daily for bathing waters and recreational areas. This information is available at wessexwater.co.uk/coastwatch.
