A ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘first of its kind’ system has been installed in Chorley, providing a more natural way to clean, filter and treat stormwater.
United Utilities have installed a reedbed system in Heskin which treats the water before it is released into Syd Brook.
The reedbeds will also increase biodiversity in the area and provide a home for local wildlife.
Read more: United Utilities revamps outdoor space for primary school in Lea
Mark Graham, United Utilities’ project manager, said: “We’re exploring how nature-based solutions can be used as an alternative to traditional engineering to help manage the impact of heavy rainfall as part of our commitment to improving river quality across the North West.
“The reedbeds in Heskin provide a balanced solution using innovative technology to ensure that we are treating stormwater in the best possible way while using more natural processes to increase biodiversity and ecology in the area.”
The three reedbeds feature a series of pipes that pump in the air to increase oxygen and enhance the treatment of stormwater released from the combined sewer overflow.
Although the project is still new, initial testing has shown that the reedbeds are delivering improvements including a significant reduction in ammonia in the treated outflow, boosting water quality.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines