Anglian unveils sites for bathing and reservoir

Anglian Water has set out plans to add three bathing water sites across its region as well as unveiling designs for a proposed reservoir in the Cambridgeshire Fens.

Working with local swimming groups, the company will provide water quality data to support applications for bathing designation for sites already popular with swimmers on the River Cam, River Deben, and the River Waveney.

Anglian will work with partners at the chosen sites and provide funding to carry out regular monitoring of the water quality at the bathing locations.

The work is part of the company’s commitment to clean up waterways in the Get River Positive programme, together with Severn Trent.

The pledges included ensuring 90% of the population live within one hour of a designated bathing spot by 2030, as well as commitments to make sure storm overflows and sewage treatment works do not harm rivers.

The data will offer valuable information for local river groups to progress applications for formal bathing water designation via the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

David Kay from the Centre for Research into Environment and Health (CREH) said quality assured, credible data would be gathered using samplers and laboratories maintained by UK regulators that are regularly externally audited.

“We are therefore supportive of Anglian Water’s proposals to assist local rivers groups by providing the resources and infrastructure to sample and analyse the data needed to have greater awareness of the baseline water quality in potential future bathing water designated locations,” Kay said.

The data is not a requirement for bathing water designation applications, however Anglian hopes it will give assurance to the public and highlight any required action at treatment works and networks to improve waters for swimming.

Director of quality and environment for Anglian Water, Robin Price said: “We want people to know we are listening – as part of Get River Positive we’re committed to playing our part in making that happen by ensuring our operations are not the reason for poor river health, but as importantly, we’ll work to bring the right people together who also have a role to play.”

Elsewhere, Anglian is launching a 10-week consultation for a proposed reservoir in the Cambridgeshire Fens.

The company has now unveiled details of the proposed project with Cambridge Water to be located north of Chatteris.

The site would include a reservoir to supply around 250,000 homes together with recreational facilities for swimming and water sports as well as walking and cycle pathways. There would also be a water treatment works, an education centre and opportunities to add renewable energy generation.