A brand new wetlands scheme in a West Sussex area will help Southern Water in its efforts to reduce storm overflows into Chichester Harbour and improve water quality.
The project, involving the planting of more than 1,500 reed plants, will be completed on Lavant Wastewater Treatment Works.
Creation of wetlands sites is one of a number of nature-based solutions being rolled out by Southern Water to tackle storm overflows, as part of a major multi-million pound 2-year programme.
Following successful small-scale trials of tactics to slow the flow of surface and groundwater into the sewer system, including sustainable drainage schemes and improvements to our existing network, these are now being scaled up in three areas:
- The South Downs and the Harbours
- Solent – Isle of Wight
- The North Kent Coast and the East.
Lavant and the Chichester area is particularly impacted by high levels of groundwater overloading the sewer both the private and public systems. The increased pressure results in storm overflows, where releases are made into the environment instead of flooding homes and communities.
Wetlands provide a natural solution by remove contaminants from wastewater, like nitrates and phosphates, and can also improve local biodiversity, as well as having the green benefits of absorbing and storing carbon.
The new investment in this area will also involve sealing private and public sewers helping to prevent pressurised groundwater infiltrating the system.
Nick Mills, head of Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, said:
“We’re looking at lots of different solutions to tackle the use of storm overflows, wetlands will be an important part of our plans moving forward.
“They’re a fantastic natural and sustainable solution that can treat stormwater and improve our local environment.
“We look forward to creating many wetlands across our region over the coming years.”
