A new machine could be installed at the River Itchen Water Treatment Works to better clean the water.

Portsmouth Water has submitted a planning application to Eastleigh Borough Council to install a new permanent building to house a centrifuge machine at the River Itchen Water Treatment Works (WTW) in Allington Lane.

A centrifuge machine for water treatment is a device that uses centrifugal force to separate solid particles from wastewater.

It effectively removes impurities and contaminants by spinning the water at high speeds, causing heavier solids to move to the outer edges of the spinning chamber, leaving cleaner water behind.

It’s used in wastewater treatment plants to “dewater” sludge and purify water for reuse or discharge.

The proposals entail the construction of a centrifugal processing plant. This will include the development of a novel permanent building, a balancing tank, a sludge cake skip and hard standing to allow for temporary pallet storage.

Environmental health said that the proposal will not exceed the limit of sound level noise at any time.

Residents can submit their views on the proposal until March 20. More information on the plan is available on the borough council’s planning portal with the DC/25/98922 reference number.