pump cleaner waste water into the sea.

The Corporation of Hamilton has applied to replace the current works on Front Street with a state of the art processing unit.

The new system, costing an estimated $5 million, should be in place within the next three years.

Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt said the system would be more environmentally friendly.

"We currently have two pumps which have been in operation for 16 to 18 years and have come to the end of their life,'' he said. "Technology is changing and we will have several new pumps which will be more efficient and reliable.

"The current system macerates any solid waste which means it's cut up very finely,'' he said. "It's then pumped out to the outfall on the South Shore.

But the new system will filter out any solid objects and also remove grease.'' Bermuda Biological Station assistant research scientist Dr. Robbie Smith said of the upgrade: "It should reduce even further the effects of the discharge on the South Shore.''