Using natural habitats for sustainable waste water treatment: a PES approach
Challenge
Wessex Water wanted to reduce costs and improve its environmental performance; the Environment Agency wanted to ensure environmental water quality objectives were met; the Tortworth Estate wanted to ensure the future quality of its freshwater fishing lakes.
Providing expertise in environmental regulations, surveying and impact assessment, Engain joined forces with a team of scientists from Bath Spa University to lead a pilot project for Defra’s PES scheme. We created an Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW), using natural habitats for sustainable water treatment, on a privately owned rural estate in South Gloucestershire. The pilot’s delivery involved input from other specialist parties, including an Environment Agency representative.
Achievements
- Succesful ICW development on a farming estate
- Enhancement of an important UK ecosystem
- More efficient improvement of water quality
- Resilience to effects on sewerage infrastructure from predicted climate impacts
- Successful Defra PES pilot project delivery
- International peer review publication.
Partners & Stakeholders
- Defra
- Wessex Water
- Environment Agency
- Tortworth Estate Company
- Bath Spa University
- Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
- RM Wetlands & Environment
