A £4.2 million green scheme is being carried out at Lenham Wastewater Treatment Works to improve the environment in Kent.

The main feature is three new reed beds, which will be planted with 7,500 reeds, to help clean the water to higher standards.

The ‘green’ beds are made of layers of gravel and sand on a plastic lining and the wastewater is pumped in from the works.

They will be planed with common reeds - phragmites australi – which grow up to two metres tall within three years.

The reeds work by sending oxygen into the gravel through their roots, which helps break down impurities in the wastewater.

The new beds will help clean up to 4.3 million litres of wastewater from more than 3,600 people each day.

In addition, the inlet works, where the wastewater arrives at the site, is being upgraded.

Ageing pipework, which is no longer of use, will be removed.

New tanks are also being built to ensure the wastewater works can meet modern standards.

Additional treatment will help remove nitrates from the recycled water, which can cause algal growth in rivers.

Construction Manager Tom Hughes inspects a new monitor which checks the levels of ammonia in the water.

The natural reed beds and upgrades will help recycle cleaner waters to the River Great Stour and protect our environment.