27 January 2012
TTS would like to reassure Islanders that the sewage treatment works at Bellozanne are operating safely.
The plant at Bellozanne has been regularly upgraded and improved since it was built 53 years ago. While the department accepts that it does not meet the standard for nitrogen and in its current form will not do so, this has not caused a public health problem and any comparisons to the major issues on the French coast do not reflect the local situation.
TTS believes that a new treatment works would benefit the Island, as no further significant improvements are possible to the existing layout. The highest priority for TTS is to safeguard the Island and the department is confident that the current system, with the added protection of ultra violet treatment, successfully meets this priority.
Work undertaken by the Environment Department in conjunction with Jersey Farmers has seen a significant reduction in the sources of nitrogen, which helps to minimise any problems in St Aubin's Bay. Officers are in discussion with their colleagues at the Environment Department to decide on the type of facility required to protect the Island for the next 50 years.
The Minister for Transport and Technical Services, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said “I would like to reassure the public that the sewerage system is operating better than it has ever done. We monitor and control more parameters, we work closely with the regulator and we operate within standards which are equal to and exceed other jurisdictions within Europe."
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