£25 Million Chichester Wastewater Upgrade To Increase Capacity

A £25 million project to upgrade Chichester's wastewater treatment works is due to get underway this month.

Southern Water says the work will increase the site's treatment capacity by around 57%, helping it cope with increased flows during periods of heavy rain and reducing the pressure on storm overflows.

New tanks and additional pipework will be installed as part of the scheme, with infrastructure company Galliford Try carrying out the work.

Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2029.

The investment is being described as part of wider efforts to improve water quality and protect Chichester Harbour, an environmentally important area.

Southern Water is also involved in the Three Harbours Partnership, which brings together organisations working to improve water quality, biodiversity and carbon capture across Langstone, Chichester and Pagham Harbours.

Other work in the area includes plans to seal around 16 kilometres of sewer in the Lavant Valley, which feeds into Chichester Harbour.

Projects are also being carried out to reduce storm overflow activity at Thornham and Bosham.

George Taylor, Director of Wastewater Operations at Southern Water, said the Chichester project would make a "real difference" to the amount of wastewater the site can treat.

He said the company was taking a long-term approach to improving the health of Chichester Harbour and protecting the wildlife that depends on it.