The City of Hamilton intends to expand its sewage treatment facility as part of a project to cut back on the release of solid waste into the island’s waters.

According to a planning application, the corporation hopes to build a new wastewater treatment facility attached to the existing sewage treatment facility on Front Street.

The new extension would be built on the west side of the facility on land occupied by the Front Street docks.

A spokeswoman for the city confirmed that the proposal is part of a plan announced last year intended to prevent about 1,210 litres of “solids” per day from entering the ocean.

The project included the installation of fine-mesh screening machines to remove about 40 per cent of suspended solids, including plastics.

The city also announced that it would incorporate a peracetic acid disinfection process on the wastewater to reduce the levels of bacteria.

Patrick Cooper, the city engineer, said upgrades to the wastewater system were previously made in 2015 partially in response to “infrequent but unpleasant” reports of greaseballs washing on to beaches near the outfall in rare, seasonal conditions.