WORK to upgrade a sewage works in a Rother Valley village should begin next month.

Southern Water has unveiled plans to install a 1.2-metre high storm tank at the Rogate Wastewater Works off Garbitts Lane.

The upgrade – which is part of a greater bid to reduce the amount of effluent released into the Rother and its tributaries – will increase storm water capacity from 60 to 79.3 cubic metres at the rural site.

The partially buried tank will be four metres deep, with the plans including the installation of two on-site pipelines.

The work, which has the backing of Rogate Parish Council and will be limited to 7.30am to 5pm on weekdays, is expected to begin in October and will take nine weeks to complete.

Southern Water feels the site is well screened but has asked planners if it will need to complete an environmental assessment survey.

Similar improvements are also proposed at the Petersfield and Buriton wastewater works as part of a multi-million pound upgrade scheme to improve the water quality on Southern Water’s rivers and coastlines.