Multi-million pound investment to upgrade Chichester Wastewater Treatment Works announced

Southern Water stated the £25m scheme will increase the site’s treatment capacity by around 57%, ‘significantly improving its ability to handle flows during periods of heavy rainfall and helping to reduce the risk of storm overflows’.

To increase the capacity on site, the project will include the construction of new tanks and additional pipework, with work carried out by infrastructure partner Galliford Try. Due to begin this month, completion is expected in spring 2029.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “This investment forms part of our continued commitment to the wider Three Harbours Partnership — a partnership of organisations working together to restore the landscape across the Three Harbours of Langstone, Chichester and Pagham focussing on water quality, biodiversity and carbon capture.

“The Chichester upgrade also builds on a broader programme of investment in the area to improve water quality, with a programme to seal 16km of sewer in the Lavant Valley that feeds Chichester Harbour, this is alongside schemes to reduce storm overflows nearby at Thornham and Bosham.”

George Taylor, Director of Wastewater Operations at Southern Water, added: “We’re excited to be starting upgrades at Chichester Wastewater Treatment Works. This is a significant investment that will make a real difference to the amount of wastewater we can treat and will help us play our part in improving the health of Chichester Harbour.

“Through playing our part in the Three Harbours Partnership and continued work in areas like Lavant, we’re taking a long-term, collaborative approach to protecting these important habitats and the wildlife that depends on them.”