Suffolk leading the way in UK's water conservation
A scheme in the county is saving thousands of tonnes of waste water
Last updated 17th Jun 2022
A new scheme in Felixstowe is thought to be leading the way in the UK's efforts to conserve water.
Launched in February 2021, the County Council thinks the project has helped prevent over 800,000 tonnes of water being lost to the North Sea and reused instead to help farmers with their crops.
The scheme sees drainage water, which has traditionally been pumped away to the River Deben and North Sea, sent back inland instead.
The move helps to conserve saltmarsh and refills 14 reservoirs which six local farmers are using to irrigate their fields.
It's being run by Suffolk County Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and UEA.
One of the local beneficiaries of the project is Home Farm Nacton’s Director, Andrew Williams: “The attraction of this project was affordable and sustainable water. All the landowners are of a similar mindset, they understand that we’ve all got to get our share of this water. It’s a project for the future, but even last year when water was pumped into us as our reservoirs went down, it gives you the confidence that you can get through the season and give the crops everything they need – it’s already been extremely beneficial.”
Councillor Steve Wiles, County Councillor for Felixstowe Coastal and Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “I’m extremely proud that Suffolk and the council is a national leader with projects like this. I’m grateful for the vision and commitment shown by all the partners and landowners who are making this a success.
“Our region is a dry place and already faces challenges with its water supply – it’s estimated that by 2050 we’ll need to double our supply if we continue to use water at the current rate. Any way that we can conserve water is crucial and if we can do this whilst supporting our farmers and landowners, then it reaffirms Suffolk’s importance to providing for the UK.
“This project epitomises the council’s ambition to protect and enhance our environment. It also complements our aim for the authority, and Suffolk, to be Net Zero by 2030. Sustainable projects like this really do confirm how Suffolk can be the greenest county.”
The Felixstowe project is one of only four being trialled in Europe.