Essex is the driest county in the UK and demand for water is expected to rise over the next 25 years. To meet this demand Essex & Suffolk Water, part of Northumbrian Water Group, has increased the capacity of Abberton Reservoir by 58% - an additional 15 billion litres. As part of the project, the natural habitats have been expanded and enhanced to improve the environmental qualities and biodiversity value. Abberton Reservoir is already nationally imp
ortant for its breeding birds and internationally important for its migratory and over-wintering waterfowl. Cambridge Ecology Ltd continues to provide high quality and professional ecological support to Carillion Civil Engineering and Essex & Suffolk Water at Abberton Reservoir. The ecological support work has involved providing practical support and advice to ensure that important ecological features, such as nesting birds that are fully protected by national and international legislation are not affected by the construction works, and do not delay the construction programme. It has been a fine success, with Avocet and Great Crested Grebe nesting at the site for the first time and breeding Lapwing are returning after a 7 year absence. The Abberton Scheme has been awarded the International Green Apple Award, Cambridge Ecology has been recognised as making a significant contribution to this award-winning project.