South Shore waters may well be quite a bit cleaner three years from now as plans for a new $6 million sewage station materialise. The proposed station will see cleaner effluent emptied into the sea and in a more energy efficient manner.

The present facility is on the docks and close to 80 years old.

Secretary of the Corporation of Hamilton, Roger Sherratt, explained that replacing the pumps was impossible because of the age of the existing plant.

"A completely new station needs to be built and it will have to be turned on when the old system is still on. The old system cannot be switched off until the new one is built and running.'' The Development Applications Board have given in principle approval for the $6 million project which is expected to take two years to complete. Government set aside $1.5 million in the last Budget towards the cost and the Corporation plans to borrow the remaining $4.5 million.

A special fine screening system in the preliminary process of the plant will make the effluent safer and cleaner than it is at present.

Two large pumps currently operate the city system which includes not just the city of Hamilton but also areas to the west, like the Hamilton Princess Hotel and the BF&M building. Prospect, including Police Headquarters and CedarBridge Academy are also online, as is the incinerator at Tynes Bay.

The new plant will have four pumps -- two large and two small. The large pumps will operate when there are heavy loads and the small ones will switch on automatically when usage is less. This energy saving technique will also mean less physical stress to the equipment.

Slated to be erected opposite the Docksiders building on Front Street, Mr.

Sherratt pointed out, "It will be an attractive building with the latest technology, especially with relation to odour. There will be virtually no odour at all. In fact no one will really be aware of what it's doing.'' Rooms with a phew! An artist's impression of the proposed sewage station opposite the Docksiders building on Front Street.