Environment Agency Wales is assessing an application from RWE npower plc to allow them to operate a sewage treatment plant at Pembroke Power Station.
Currently, sewage is tankered off-site to a nearby sewage treatment works where it is treated and discharged.
The company plans to operate its own sewage treatment plant to treat domestic sewage generated on site whilst the power station is operational.
The application does not affect the company’s power generating activities at the site.
The Agency will now assess the application and investigate whether the proposed activity will cause any harm to human health or the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
If the Agency finds any evidence that the proposed changes will harm the health of local people or the environment, it will not allow the permit change.
If the application does meet the Agency’s criteria, the new operations will have to conform to the same strict standards as the rest of the site.
Steve Brown, from Environment Agency Wales said:
“We will thoroughly scrutinize these new plans and any potential impact they may have on the sensitive, protected environment the power station discharges into.
“Our priority is to ensure that local people and the environment continue to be safeguarded, and we will only allow a change to the permit if we are confident of this.”
Copies of the application are available to view at the public registers at:
Pembrokeshire County Council, North Wing, County Hall, Freemans Way, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP & The Environment Agency, Maes Newydd, Llandarcy, Neath Port Talbot, SA10 6JQ
Alternatively you can view the application online at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/consultations/118031.aspx
People can submit their comments on the application in writing to Environment Agency, PSC, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF or emailed to psc@environment-agency.gov.uk, quoting reference number EPR/DP3333TA/V002 by Monday 25 February 2013.
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