Anglian Water invests more than £4 million to protect the River Colne at Sible Hedingham

Anglian Water has finished work to upgrade its Water Recycling Centre (WRC) at Sible Hedingham, installing new equipment which will remove phosphorous from wastewater, improving river water quality nearby.

Phosphorous is widely used in soaps and cleaning products but can be harmful to wildlife when it reaches rivers and other watercourses. The investment at Sible Hedingham WRC, which was worth more than £4 million, includes new equipment to strengthen the current water recycling process and remove even more phosphorous from wastewater. This equipment will help remove harmful algae growth and improve water quality in local watercourses.

Anglian Water’s team used detailed modelling of the local system to design a robust engineering scheme which will help to protect local watercourses in the Halstead area now and in the future. This investment means the water entering the River Colne from Sible Hedingham WRC will be even cleaner, protecting wildlife and water quality in the river.

This work comes as the water company is beginning work on three new phosphorous removal schemes nearby, at Gosfield, Earls Colne and Eight Ash Green WRCs. These investments, which are worth £7 million altogether, will further protect the River Colne by removing harmful phosphorous from other points along the river.

Regan Harris, spokesperson for Anglian Water, said: “We’re really pleased that these upgrades to our Water Recycling Centre in Sible Hedingham, alongside the new schemes nearby, will help to protect the River Colne. This investment will also increase our resilience to climate change, by helping us make sure the wastewater is treated to an even higher standard than usual before it’s returned to the natural environment.

“We know how important rivers and the wider environment are to our customers and local communities. That’s why we’ve committed through our Get River Positive programme that our water recycling processes will not harm rivers.”

Get River Positive was launched by Anglian Water and 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.

This project was completed by Anglian Water’s @one Alliance. The @one Alliance delivers complex engineering and construction projects across the Anglian Water region, utilising the skills and expertise provided by their seven partner organisations – specialising in the world of water.