Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has invested £3.5 million to upgrade the wastewater treatment works in Weobley, Herefordshire.

The main improvement is the introduction of a process which removes phosphates from the treated wastewater which will help improve river water quality in the Newbridge Brook and river Wye.

The work carried out by the not-for-profit water company involved upgrading 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 upgrade has enhanced the treatment process even further.

Using innovative methods, the main improvement has been the introduction of a process which will remove phosphates from the treated wastewater. Phosphates can cause algal bloom, so removing them from the treated wastewater will help reduce levels in the nearby Newbridge Brook – which in turn will benefit the river quality and its aquatic life.

Welsh Water’s Senior Project Manager, Andrew Davies, said:

“We’re pleased to announce that our investment work in the Weobley area is now complete. This investment is one of 11 projects that we have planned for our 2020 – 2025 investment period which will help improve the quality of the river Wye. It also reflects our commitment to reinvest profits directly for the benefit of our customers, the communities that we serve and our precious environment.

“While our investment will reduce our contribution of phosphate levels, it will not reduce the contributions others make to the river. We are however committed to working collaboratively with them where we can as ultimately, we all care for the river and want to ensure we pass it on in a better condition to our future generations.”

The company are also carrying out similar work at wastewater treatment works in Rotherwas, Leominster, Kingstone & Madley and Clehonger.