Anglian Water has announced plans for its latest treatment wetland in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, as part of a programme of work to help protect rivers across the East of England.

The initiative will see Anglian Water invest over £50 million between now and the end of the decade and forms part of the water company’s Get River Positive commitment in which the company has pledged work to restore river habitats across the region.

Get River Positive was launched by Anglian Water in partnership with Severn Trent last year. The plan includes five pledges to transform river water quality across their regions, and demonstrates a clear and actionable response to calls for a revival of rivers in England. Central to the pledges is a commitment that work carried out by the two water companies will ensure storm overflows and sewage treatment works do not harm rivers.

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The wetland in Stagsden will provide an additional habitat for birds and other wildlife to thrive, as well as helping to protect the River Great Ouse.

The wetland will be modelled on Anglian Water's flagship River Ingol wetland which it launched in 2019. The site, near Ingoldisthorpe, in Norfolk was the first of its kind in England. Created in partnership with the Norfolk Rivers Trust, the wetland has since operated as a natural treatment plant for millions of litres of water, as well becoming a beautiful habitat and a flourishing haven for wildlife.

Anglian Water plans to begin construction on the Stagsden wetland in Summer 2023.

Dr Robin Price, Director of Quality and the Environment for Anglian Water said: "Nature-based solutions, like these treatment wetlands, are a key part of our vision for the future. As the population of our region grows, our sewer networks are processing more and more human and domestic waste, from products like detergents, which contain chemicals such as phosphates and ammonia.

"We're always looking for more natural ways to remove these from our waste water, rather than adding more chemicals in our treatment processes or building carbon hungry infrastructure, which is unsustainable, and would have an impact on customer bills too.

"The wetlands for part of this solution as they not only help to naturally remove even more of the unwanted chemicals, but they have a significant and positive impact on the health of our region’s rivers and biodiversity."