Air Base within four weeks.

Developers have announced that Hamilton-based Air Care Ltd. had won the contract for the project -- and the plant should be open by October 1.

The state-of-the art sewage work is being built to help the massive development on the St. David's base -- now called Southside.

Planners are already working to open former officers' homes, build a business park and even shift the Hamilton container port to St. David's.

Now Air Care, teamed with HydroPro Inc. of Florida, will build the plant above Ruth's Bay to replace the existing sewage works built by the US military in the 1950s.

Officials from the Bermuda Land Development Company said the scheme would also provide jobs in construction, demolition and electrics.

Operations at the new plant, using innovative technology, will be completely enclosed and treat sewage to a level three times cleaner than normal Bermuda standards.

Air Care were picked from 12 companies who submitted original tenders in January.

Six firms, from a short list of nine, handed in formal bids last Friday.

BLDC chief executive officer Carl Musson said: "The sewage treatment plant will meet the needs of Southside businesses and residents well into the next century.

"The project also underlines our commitment to protecting and enhancing Bermuda's environment.'' GOVERNMENT GVT