Southern Water has unveiled plans for a large wetland next to its treatment works in Staplefield in West Sussex.

Image: aerial view of the location of the wetland at Staplefield

Wetlands provide another way of treating wastewater via a nature-based solution which uses water tolerant plants as a filter. They can remove contaminants from wastewater, improve local biodiversity and have the green benefits of absorbing and storing carbon.

The wetland, which is the size of two football pitches (3.2 acres), will help with wastewater treatment at the site and reduce the level of Phosphorus released into nearby watercourses.

For the Staplefield wetland next to Cuckfield Road, it will work by having treated wastewater from the current treatment works feeding the wetland at one end and filtering through the wetland and removing effluent at the other.

The wetland’s creation has been carefully planned, including carrying out a feasibility study, groundwater risk assessments and environmental planning

Next steps

Plans for the wetland will be examined by West Sussex County Council - if approved the water company is expecting work to start in May.

Southern Water Project Manager Cécile Stanford said:

“This is a really important project that will have clear benefits in improving biodiversity and is a natural way of treating wastewater This project will also help educate future generations about the benefit of wetlands.”

The work, if approved, will be carried out by contractor GTb, which is a joint venture between Galliford Try Environment and Binnies UK Ltd.

GTb Project Manager, Lee McGrattan added:

“As a joint venture company we are really excited to be part of this project. This will be the first wetland project we are working on and it will be fantastic to see it flourish in the future. Wetlands are an alternative to more traditional mechanical and electrical process solutions, relying on nature to assist and encourage wildlife to the area.”