Summer discharge constraints for Minehead are now the norm

Last year's trial summer arrangements for Minehead - reduction in daily intake and the need to book­in loads - have now been made permanent.

From the beginning of May through to the end of September the intake volumes will be reduced from 90Te to 45Te per day and all loads will need a booking slot and time to discharge into the works. Outside this time period the upper limit will become available and booking will not be compulsory.

Minehead treatment centre is particularly vulnerable to population fluctuations in the summer months and when this coincides with periods of low rainfall the sewage treatment works can be at risk of not meeting its Environment Agency compliance. Moderate additional loads, spread through out the day, can assist the operation of the works during the drier summer months but large uncontrolled volumes can put the works at risk.

Organic Waste news - Summer 2010