The water environment in and around Leominster is set to receive a boost thanks to a £12 million investment scheme currently being carried out by Welsh Water.
Back in December 2022, the not-for-profit utility company started work on a project to upgrade the wastewater treatment works which it owns and operates in the area.
The treatment works already treats the wastewater it receives from the surrounding area to a high standard, but the planned upgrades will see the treatment process enhanced even further.
Using innovative methods, the main improvement will be the introduction of a process which will remove phosphorous from the treated wastewater. Phosphorous can cause algal bloom so by removing them from the treated wastewater, this will help reduce the levels in the nearby River Lugg – which in turn will benefit the river quality and its aquatic life.
The upgrade work is taking place within the boundary of the treatment works which is just off Southern Avenue in Leominster. The company aims to have it completed during the Spring next year.
Leominster Town Council visited the site earlier this year to learn more about how their waste is treated and to see the progress being made.
A spokesperson from the Town Council said: “It was really useful to hear how Welsh Water are investing in the future of Leominster and the river going forward. We were really impressed with the Health and Safety on site and the ability of staff to explain the process to the councillors and myself at a level of which we could easily understand.”
Welsh Water’s Senior Project Manager, Andrew Davies, said: “As a company, we are committed to ensuring we protect the environment that is in our care, and that includes the watercourses we interact with. There are a number of factors which contribute to phosphate levels in our watercourses, and we are committed to ensuring we do all that we can to keep our contribution to the absolute minimum. Our significant investment here at Leominster reflects this.”
The company recently published a ‘manifesto’ outlining its plans for investment to improve river water quality in its operating area and acknowledging increasing public concern relating to the health of rivers.
The work being carried out at Leominster forms part of the company’s £840 million investment in their wastewater infrastructure between 2020 and 2025. A further £1.4 billion in planned between 2025 and 2030 which will help protect the environment.