Community / Solution in sight for long-standing Gulberwick pump station problem
THE OLD waste pumping station near the Gulberwick beach could be removed and replaced with four underground septic tanks after being out of action for years.
Scottish Water has applied for planning permission for the project, and it hopes that work will be able to begin later in the year.
The Gulberwick station, which pumped waste up to Lerwick, has been affected by a fault since 2017, and a direct replacement is not available.
There were concerns at the time that it may affect future residential development in Gulberwick.
A temporary measure was introduced to hold sewage in a septic tank, with a tanker removing waste to the water treatment plant in nearby Lerwick.
The proposed installation of four buried septic banks would provide a more efficient management of sewage in the area.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We are applying for planning consent to provide local treatment to waste water in Gulberwick, improving on the interim treatment arrangement that has operated in recent years.
“Subject to planning consent and final agreement with all stakeholders, we hope to be able to begin work on site later this year.
“We would like to thank the local community for their patience over recent years while we have been working with our project delivery partner, Caledonia Water Alliance, to prepare these proposals. We have recently written to local residents and will continue to keep them updated on our progress.
“Our team will aim to minimise disruption as far as we can, while making the investment that is needed to continue to protect the environment and support the community’s growth for years to come.”
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