A SEWAGE treatment works is consulting on possible redundancies after factory closures and job cuts in the economic downturn saw the amount of waste from industrial sites drop significantly.

Northumbrian Water said 30 roles are under threat of redundancy at its wastewater treatment plant at Bran Sands, near Redcar, on Teesside, although some staff could be moved to other operations.

In a statement last night, the company said: “Northumbrian Water confirms that consultation with employees at its wastewater treatment plant at Bran Sands on Teesside is under way.

“Changes at the site have resulted in 30 roles being at risk of redundancy.”

The company confirmed that the reduction in industrial waste being treated at the site was one factor.

The introduction of a £33m anaerobic digestion plant at the works, which employs 103 people, is another.

The plant, which is to become operational after a period of testing, will bring environmental benefits, but will also require lower manning and maintenance levels than the existing plant.

Bran Sands currently operates an effluent treatment works and regional sludge treatment centre, with two separate teams supported by a maintenance team.

There is now to be one combined team operating and maintaining both works.

Graham Neave, Northumbrian Water’s operations director, said: “This review has not been taken lightly as, regrettably, the consequences could affect employees who have been instrumental in ensuring the successful and safe operation of Bran Sands over many years.

“However, this appears to be unavoidable in the current economic climate and with the introduction of new technology.”

In June, the water company attributed a ten per cent drop in annual profits partly to lower usage by recession-hit industry.

The group – which operates as Northumbrian Water in the North-East and Essex and Suffolk Water in the South – said pre-tax profits were down to £152.7m in the year to March 31 as the firm was hit by an increase of more than 50 per cent in energy prices.

Bran Sands handles sewage for the area between the Tees and the Wear.

The advanced anaerobic digestion plant, the largest of its type in the country, will use waste sludge to generate methane to fuel gas engines and produce 4.7 megawatts of green electricity.

It will reduce the Bran Sands site’s demand for grid electricity by half and will increase Northumbrian Water’s use of renewable energy to more than 20 per cent.