Water Quality - Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
Sewage Treatment in the UK: Implementation of the
EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
Investment
The
big improvements in sewage treatment and maintaining the collecting systems
detailed in this report require large amounts of ongoing investment. In
England and Wales this is provided through the five-yearly water company
price review carried out by the Office of Water Services (Ofwat). Between
1990 and 2000 over £9.2 billion was invested in the sewerage service
in England and Wales. A large proportion of the £5.3 billion to be
spent between 2000 and 2005 on the sewerage service is to improve treatment
standards, storm overflows, and sludge disposal. This investment will
deliver significant additional improvements in river and bathing water
quality. Over the same period £3.1 billion is to be spent on maintaining
the sewerage service assets.
In Scotland, funding of improvements is achieved through the Water Quality and Standards process. Between 1996 and 2000, over £1 billion was invested in sewerage and waste water treatment. A further £1.17 billion will be invested in these area between 2000 and 2005.
What you can do ...
We all contribute to the pollution of the water environment, so protecting and improving it depends on each of us trying to reduce our part. For example, we can dispose of cotton buds, condoms, disposable razors and sanitary ware by putting them in bags and disposing with other household rubbish, rather than flushing them down the toilet. The Bag It & Bin It campaign aims to encourage people to do just that and is supported by the UK water industry. Think before you flush is a similar campaign being undertaken by the water authorities in Scotland, and has been successful in changing public awareness and actions particularly in schools and local communities.
You can also help by disposing of rubbish in litter bins when visiting the seaside, or by taking it home and by not allowing pets to foul the beach. The Clean Coast Scotland initiative has been set up to raise public awareness of the Scottish coastline as a resource by changing attitudes and activities when using the water and beaches around Scotland. The initiative also helps communities to gain awards, such as the Blue Flag or Seaside Award, where appropriate.
Page published 25 April
2002;
Page last modified
29 September, 2002