Mini-wetlands installed in South Wiltshire sewage works
Bio-swales have been put in to help protect local waterways
A series of mini-wetlands have been installed at four sewage works around South Wiltshire, with the aim of better protecting local waterways, using natural methods.
Wessex Water has put in 'bio-swales' at water recycling centres at Fovant, Barford St Martin and Hurdcott, with another going in at Great Wishford this month.
The swales are dug in and then lined to prevent contamination, before being layered with soil and marginal plants.
That's all aimed at naturally draining water, and improving its quality, before it discharges into tributaries of the Bourne, Nadder and Wylye rivers.
The bio-swales will be fully commissioned once the plants have been allowed to mature for several months to ensure their roots are strong enough to deal with stormwater overflows.
It's part of a £500,000 investment by Wessex Water.
Project manager Al Barlow said:
“These bio-swales range from about 12 to 20 metres long and they operate in pretty much the same way as larger wetland projects, like the ones Wessex Water is planning and delivering throughout the region.
“We have chosen these sites for the trial because it helps to build on our existing programme of sealing our systems to prevent groundwater infiltration in this area of Wiltshire, which can cause storm overflows to operate automatically.
“By using our existing sites where space is available, we’re also making the most of our current facilities. The construction of these bio-swales will also have a positive biodiversity net gain.
“We hope to make these bio-swales ‘live’ by the autumn of this year once the plants are mature enough to cope with the poor weather and the high stormwater flows.’’