The Environment Agency has activated a groundwater scheme to supplement the river Sleaford during dry periods.

Around 1.1 million litres of water a day is being drawn up from an underground limestone aquifer, via a 44-metre deep borehole, and fed into the River Slea, keeping it from drying out.

The ‘augmentation scheme’ ensures the river continues to flow during its driest months, benefiting local habitat and preserving the look and feel of the town’s water environment.

The river was described as “a never failing source of pure water” almost 150 years ago, but natural and man-made changes to the environment and water cycle saw it dry up for extended periods from the 1960s.

The augmentation scheme, which was established in 1995,has been supplementing the flow for most years since during the river’s driest months which tend to be between July and December. Without it, the river would typically run dry during this period.

After activating the scheme, Environment Agency officers will now monitor the Slea between the borehole and Cogglesford Mill to ensure it is now working effectively.