SEA CHANGE- IMPROVING BATHING WATER QUALITY IN THE NORTH WEST.

In response to the EU bathing water directive, North West Water mounted a £500 million-plus initiative along its considerable coastline to help bring bathing waters—including Blackpool, die UK's most popular resort—up to European standards. The operation, known as Sea Change, comprised many and varied waste-water projects, including in the Fylde the world's largest submerged biological contactor treatment plant, and the longest MDFE outfall pipe. This paper describes the challenges faced and the solutions adopted in completing this major engineering programme in time for the 1996 bathing season, with particular reference to the Fylde scheme and the ongoing programme of further investigation and investment.