Hampshire chalk stream to benefit from multi-million pound improvement works
A £2.7m scheme to improve water quality at one of Hampshire’s treasured chalk streams has been successfully completed
Improving water quality at the River Meon
The work at Wickham Wastewater Treatment Works will deliver environmental benefits for the River Meon.
The project included the installation of advanced chemical dosing equipment, specifically ferric dosing, which helps remove Phosphorus from wastewater.
Reducing Phosphorus is vital because excess levels can lead to algal blooms, depleting oxygen in rivers and harming aquatic life. By lowering Phosphorus concentrations, it can help protect the delicate chalk stream ecosystem and improve overall river health.
To ensure accuracy new monitoring systems have been added to provide real-time data from the site. In addition, a new storm tank has been constructed, increasing storage capacity during heavy rainfall events - the storm tank will hold 140,000 litres.
The works were delivered by GTb on behalf of Southern Water.
Lee McGrattan, Project Manager for GTb, said:
“We’re really pleased to have completed this project. The teams have worked tirelessly to meet regulatory deadlines. We’d like to thank the residents on Tanfield Lane for their patience and understanding while we undertook this essential work.”
Cecile Stanford, Project Manager for Southern Water, added:
“This investment is a key part of our commitment to improving water quality and protecting Hampshire’s unique chalk streams. By reducing Phosphorus and increasing storm storage, we’re helping safeguard the River Meon for future generations and supporting the wildlife that depends on it.”