The innovative use of DNA testing by South East Water has seen the company win the Institute of Water South East Area Innovation Award.

The award recognises revolutionary thinking in the water and sewerage industry with regional winners put forward to the national competition later this year.

South East Water’s Lead Environmental Engineer Steve Newman, presenting at the event in Crawley on 4th February, explained how DNA testing is helping to manage the risks of having Great Crested Newts, which are highly protected, close to construction sites.

Steve said:

“We are really pleased this innovative use of science has been recognised. The results from using DNA to detect newts are helping to manage project risks more efficiently, saving us time and money and minimising intervention with the local environment.”

Neville Smith, President of the Institute of Water South East and Managing Director of Portsmouth Water, said:

“Not everyone realises that water and sewerage companies have a duty to protect the environment and encourage biodiversity.

“The potential of DNA testing to be used to detect other protected species is great and could benefit all companies within construction and infrastructure, not just water.”

The method , known as eDNA, is approved by regulator Natural England, and involves collecting a single water sample from locations where South East Water is planning pipe-laying or maintenance works. This is tested for the amphibians’ DNA, allowing the water company to plan any newt protection measures more efficiently.

Previously, ecologists had to visit all nearby ponds at least four times over several months, working at night, checking for eggs, setting bottle traps and searching for the newts under torchlight.

As a protected species, Great Crested Newts are closely monitored by Natural England. Companies or individuals who capture or kill or disturb their habitat face a fine and/or custodial sentence.