Anglian Water begins project to protect conservation area
Anglian Water has begun the second stage of a project to move water from its Water Treatment Works in Norwich to Ludham in order to maintain water supplies to 3,000 homes and protect an area of the Norfolk Broads.
Currently water for the area comes from a borehole near to Ludham itself. However, to help protect the surrounding environment of Catfield Fen, which is a renowned Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the Norfolk Broads, Anglian Water will stop taking water from the groundwater source once the work is complete.
The £9million (€10.1 million) investment into the area is crucial for the long-term protection and conservation of this unique habitat.
Following the successful installation of 3km worth of pipeline, connecting Ludham to Horstead Water Tower, water can be transferred across the county from one of the company’s main treatment centre at Heigham in Norwich.
The next phase of the project will see Anglian Water construct a new booster station and additional water storage facility at Horstead to pump water directly to customers taps.
Geoff Darch, water resources strategy manager for Anglian Water, said: “In the Anglian Water region, we face some unique challenges. We operate in the driest part of the UK, receiving only two thirds of the average rainfall, as well as being one of the fasting growing and home to over 100 environmentally important areas that are internationally recognised.
“With the first stage of the project now complete, we’re another step closer to ending the use of groundwater abstraction at Ludham, which will help to protect the environment in this precious part of our region and keep taps running for thousands of nearby homes for years to come.”
Ensuring a resilient infrastructure is a key part of Anglian’s long term water resources planning – which looks decades into the future. Between 2020-2025, the company will reduce the amount it takes from the environment by 84 million litres a day.
The next phase of work will be completed within Anglian’s current sites at Horstead and Spixworth, meaning there will be virtually no disruption to local residents and road users. However, teams will be closely managing site traffic, and traffic management plan in also in place which will avoid large vehicles travelling through the village.
Currently water for the area comes from a borehole near to Ludham itself. However, to help protect the surrounding environment of Catfield Fen, which is a renowned Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the Norfolk Broads, Anglian Water will stop taking water from the groundwater source once the work is complete.
The £9million (€10.1 million) investment into the area is crucial for the long-term protection and conservation of this unique habitat.
Following the successful installation of 3km worth of pipeline, connecting Ludham to Horstead Water Tower, water can be transferred across the county from one of the company’s main treatment centre at Heigham in Norwich.
The next phase of the project will see Anglian Water construct a new booster station and additional water storage facility at Horstead to pump water directly to customers taps.
Geoff Darch, water resources strategy manager for Anglian Water, said: “In the Anglian Water region, we face some unique challenges. We operate in the driest part of the UK, receiving only two thirds of the average rainfall, as well as being one of the fasting growing and home to over 100 environmentally important areas that are internationally recognised.
“With the first stage of the project now complete, we’re another step closer to ending the use of groundwater abstraction at Ludham, which will help to protect the environment in this precious part of our region and keep taps running for thousands of nearby homes for years to come.”
Ensuring a resilient infrastructure is a key part of Anglian’s long term water resources planning – which looks decades into the future. Between 2020-2025, the company will reduce the amount it takes from the environment by 84 million litres a day.
The next phase of work will be completed within Anglian’s current sites at Horstead and Spixworth, meaning there will be virtually no disruption to local residents and road users. However, teams will be closely managing site traffic, and traffic management plan in also in place which will avoid large vehicles travelling through the village.
