TREATMENT works in Southampton could be upgraded to improve the quality of wastewater pumped into the sea.

Southern Water has submitted plans to install ultra-violet (UV) light treatment at Millbrook Wastewater Treatment Works on Western Avenue.

It is hoped that the upgrade will improve the quality of the effluent - waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea - in a bid to protect designated shellfish waters.

The new process aims to reduce the levels of E.coli in Southampton Water and the River Test.

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The plans were submitted by the water company to Southampton City Council, which is yet to make a decision.

In the proposal, the Millbrook centre is described as a "key" Southern Water operational site that treats wastewater from a population of around 142,000.

The plans will see the installation of UV light treatment as well as kiosks that will house control systems and pumping station controls and equipment for the new UV process.

The UV system kiosk will be 8m by 4m and will stand 3,6m in height, whereas the UV feed pumping station kiosk will be 11m by 4m and will stand at 3.6m tall.

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The plans say: "The principle of the use of this location for wastewater infrastructure is established and safeguarded by planning policy.

"The kiosks are required to provide secure and weatherproof housing for equipment that will operate the UV treatment process that is essential to lower E.coli levels in the treated effluent discharged from the WwTW into Southampton’s designated shellfish waters."

The plans come just months after campaigners claimed that volumes of "foul-smelling brown liquid" was released into the River Itchen by Southern Water. 

National Park City Southampton volunteers claimed that sewage from the Portswood water works regularly pollutes the river.

Millbrook Wastewater Treatment Works is located on an industrial estate within Southampton Docks. The closest residential properties are around 400m north of the site.