Silt pollution mitigation at Trebanos Wastewater Treatment Works

The scheme required the installation of a piling mat and cantilevered sheet piles which posed environmental risks such as silt pollution.

In-river construction works, such as those at Trebanos Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), always pose potential environmental risks, particularly related to siltation and the release of pollutants.

Siltation can lead to:

• Habitat degradation: Excessive silt pollution can harm aquatic habitats, affecting fish spawning grounds and the organisms that live on the riverbed.
• Water quality deterioration: Increased turbidity from silt pollution can reduce light penetration, affecting plant photosynthesis and disrupting the aquatic food chain.
• Pollutant transport: Silt can bind with pollutants like heavy metals and nutrients, easing their transport and potentially leading to contamination of downstream environments.

These issues are problematic because they can lead to long-term ecological damage, affect water treatment processes, and result in regulatory non-compliance.

The River Tawe is a notable watercourse in south Wales, flowing through the Swansea Valley and into Swansea Bay. Efforts to protect it during construction works are crucial for maintaining its ecological health and cultural value.