Treatment plant malfunctions resolved

As early as Tuesday January 28, a number of Internet users reported a discharge of "matter" from the Gustavia wastewater treatment plant. Three days later, in a press release issued by the Collectivité territoriale, it was stated that "due to a malfunction observed at the wastewater treatment plant (Step), swimming and all water sports activities are strongly advised against at Grands Galets (Shell Beach)".
In its document, the local authority states that "all necessary measures are being taken to identify the causes of this incident and remedy it as quickly as possible". In fact, on Wednesday February 5, Saur, the company responsible for the plant, stated in an online press release: "The malfunction at the Gustavia wastewater treatment plant is now over. Analyses concerning the quality of bathing water on the beaches are good. The situation has been restored. "
Maëlle Servanton, Sector Manager for Saur, provides further details on the nature of these malfunctions. Two problems occurred," she explains. The first was a broken valve. It overflowed onto the parking lot, and during the clean-up, part of it went into the sea. The second problem was a clogged membrane. This happens when too much pollution reaches the plant. "The problem is linked to the fact that the plant is undersized in relation to the amount of sludge produced on the island. Both the plant and its basins are too small. So, within 24 hours, if the membranes can no longer filter the sludge, the plant's operation is disrupted. Not to mention the fact that such an incident can damage the membranes.
As soon as it was rebuilt in 2018, Saur pointed out the undersizing of the Step. In fact, JSB has devoted several articles to the difficulties encountered by the Step due to the structure's undersizing. The main reason for this is the ever-increasing amount of sludge generated by wastewater treatment systems. In an article published in 2020, JSB explained: "The wastewater treatment plant (Step) is facing an increasingly massive influx of sludge, particularly from hotel wastewater systems. When rebuilding after Irma, several establishments invested in membrane purification plants, which are more efficient than their predecessors. This is much better for the environment, but they produce more effluent. "
In the meantime, further incidents are sure to occur. And that's despite the fact that filter membranes are cleaned or replaced when necessary. However, as Saur assures us, the waters of the Grands Galets beach are never affected by material run-off. The currents systematically carry them out to sea.