The final phase of a multi-million pound programme to help improve water quality around the Channel Islands, led by a Cornish firm, is taking a major step forward this week.
The scheme to build a number of new sewage treatment and drinking water plants on the island of Sark is being carried out by Cornwall-based company H2OK on behalf of Sark Estates.
The plants will prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into streams and underground water supplies from a number of buildings on the picturesque island.
This week, a giant water tank which will form part of the new scheme is being transported by ship to the Island.
As well as the sewage treatment, H2OK has been commissioned to build and upgrade water treatment plants to ensure the highest standards of drinking water on the island.
Phil Badger, H2OK’s Installations Director commented: “The transport of this signficant piece of equipment equipment marks an exciting stage in this project. The scheme will put a stop to the discharge of raw sewage from these historic properties and provide safe and crystal-clear drinking water for the new developments.”
The scheme is part of a major development programme on Sark which will see the creation of a series of luxury hotels, a vineyard and a microbrewery.
Kevin Delaney, Sark Estates’ Managing Director, commented: “These developments mark a step change in the quality of tourist accommodation and leisure facilities on Sark. We need to make sure that the standards of bathing and drinking water keep pace and that’s why we’re so keen to play our part in cleaning up the waters around the Channel Islands.”
Despite the island’s small size, the sewage plants will provide Sark with the highest standards of treatment, including UV and reed bed filtration.
A telemetry system will link Sark with H2OK’s Cornwall headquarters to provide regular updates on the performance of the new systems and advance warning of any issues.
Meanwhile, the new boreholes and water treatment plants will help eliminate the pollutants which have historically been found in Sark’s fresh water supply.
These include viruses, bacteria and heavy metals such as high levels of manganese.
The scheme has been one of H2OK’s most challenging so far, with the only access to the island by sea and then through a 2.5 metre diameter German wartime tunnel.
All the equipment has been specially designed for the location and packed for transport with the access in mind, sometimes with just millimetres to spare in the tunnel.
With construction carried out outside the main tourist season, the sometimes hazardous winter sea conditions have also added to the demands of the project.
Much of the English-made equipment has been transported by road to France, and then onwards by ship to avoid crossing the English Channel.
Phil Badger continued: “Building state-of-the-art treatment plants on top of an island, 120ft above the English Channel, has been extremely challenging. But this is a vital project for the future of the Sark, so we’ve thrown all our resources at it, and remain on target to switch on the systems this spring.”
H2OK’s work supplements other environmental and water reduction measures incorporated in the new developments such as rainwater recycling and low flush toilets.
More information on H2OK’s work is available at www.h2ok.co.uk.
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