Projects to protect Somerset’s waterways are under way

The flow of investment towards protecting Somerset’s waterways from potentially harmful chemicals is being stepped up even further this winter as projects to enhance the treatment of sewage at two rural sites near Bridgwater get under way.

About the projects

We have moved on to water recycling centres near the villages of Nether Stowey and Stogursey, to the west of the market town, as part of nearly £3 million worth of work to reduce the impact of nutrients found in wastewater on the local environment.

Our engineers will upgrade equipment and install new processes to ensure that the water that arrives at the centres before being treated and released back into the nearby water eco-system continues to meet the highest standards.

Why are these projects important?

These projects continue the push to ensure chemicals like phosphorus, ammonia and nitrogen, that are often found in many household products, are removed from wastewater to reduce their impact on surrounding ecology.

High concentrations of these nutrients can cause large growths of algae in watercourses such as streams and rivers, damaging plants and animals in those areas by depleting the amount of oxygen in the water – a process known as eutrophication.

Farm slurries, agricultural fertilisers and septic tanks can also be regular sources of these nutrients.

Project manager Lee Hopson said: "Removing these harmful chemicals from wastewater is an issue constantly being tackled by Wessex Water in Somerset and that’s reflected in our massive investment being made throughout the county."

"As our population continues to increase, so too does the challenge of addressing the impact these nutrients can have on our waterways and we’re meeting that head on to make sure the treated water that is returned to the environment is of the highest quality."

"These projects play a key role in that mission, protecting many of the watercourses throughout Somerset including, in this case, Stogursey Brook."

Investing across Somerset

The projects continue the extensive work already being carried out throughout Somerset, including more than £12 million being spent in Milverton and Bishop’s Lydeard to improve treatment methods and boost storage capacity this winter.

A £9.5 million project in North Petherton to boost both the treatment and storage of wastewater is already underway, next to the M5 motorway near Bridgwater.

A total of nearly £40 million has been invested in similar schemes across the county, at sites at Hardington Mandeville, near the Dorset border, as well as Martock, Crewkerne, Merriott, Langport and Ilminster.

Earlier this year we boosted the quality of water supplies in the area around Stogursey with a £600,000 replacement of more than 1,300 metres of decaying water main feeding the village and surrounding area, with a further phase to replace a similar length of main currently being planned.

Our nutrient reduction plans

We have proposed a commitment of more than £900 million towards stripping out nutrients from wastewater as part of around £3.5 billion of new investment between 2025 and 2030 – more than double the current five-yearly spend – in our recently-published business plan.

The plans will be considered by industry regulators Ofwat before an announcement next year.

Find out more about what we are doing to protect rivers and coastal waters.

Published: 03/01/2024