Councillors back plan for controversial water cremation site in Sandwell
A ward councillor has backed plans for 'water cremation' to be used at a Black Country crematorium in what would be a UK first, despite them being put on hold.
Sandwell Council is awaiting to hear back from Severn Trent which refused the local authority a 'trade effluent permit', for the plans at Rowley crematorium.
The method, also known as 'green cremation', sees dead bodies dissolved in an alkaline solution where leftover liquid gets deposited in the water system.
Despite the plans being put on hold, Rowley councillor Susan Eaves said: "We think it is a good thing, it would be a first in the country."
However, fellow ward councillor Barbara Price said: "I am not in favour of these plans and want to see a full investigation and public consultation."
The method is used in parts of the US and Canada.
Resomation, the founding company behind the method, says the waste water does not contain DNA from dead people.
But there are concerns flushing the waste water - used as part of the ‘alkaline hydrolysis’ process - down the sewers would prompt what a source described as ‘the yuck factor’ from the public.
A source at Water UK, which Sandwell Council consulted as part of the plans, said: "We don’t think the public will like the idea.
“We are not convinced and believe the technology needs to be explored in much greater depth."
On Resomation's website, it says: "The sterile liquid effluent is safely returned to the water cycle free from any traces of DNA.”
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling refused to express whether he was in favour of the method, but said: "It would be a matter for each family anyway if it ever came about."
Sandwell Council came up with the plans because it wanted to offer people more choice.
They have now been passed to Severn Trent, which is awaiting to hear back from the Government about whether its legal, as the method would be a first for the country.
A spokesman said: “We are looking for guidance from the Government as to whether it is allowed or not, and there is no industry standard that says yes or no.”
The spokesman added Severn Trent would be prepared to look into the matter again.
Companies need a 'trade effluent' permit to discharge waste-waster into sewers.
