Your article on April 5 (Pollution ‘disaster’) highlighted concerns about river water quality raised by Salmon and Trout Conservation and Salisbury District Angling Club, but unfortunately it didn’t paint a fully balanced picture.
Wessex Water has invested more than £50 million in phosphorus removal in the Hampshire Avon since 2000.
Through this work we’ve been able to dramatically improve river water quality – benefitting wildlife and allowing people to enjoy the river for recreational purposes.
Once sewage is treated to a high standard at our treatment centres, the quality of wastewater returned to watercourses is closely monitored.
The returned wastewater is monitored at the point of discharge and reported to the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure it complies with environmental permits.
Since 2015 the sites mentioned in the article have shown a very good level of compliance.
Indeed, all are compliant with their discharge permits determined by the EA.
However, it’s important to highlight that there are influences on water quality from other sources such as septic tanks, urban and agricultural activities.
We share our environmental data with the Environment Agency and Natural England and, as the article says, we are happy to share it with Salmon and Trout Conservation and Salisbury and District Angling Club.
We’re meeting with members of both to discuss their concerns, and we look forward to studying the findings they have presented in more detail.
We are committed to protecting the river and chalkstream to enhance wildlife habitats and ensure local communities continue to enjoy one of Wiltshire’s natural treasures.
Ruth Barden
Director of environmental strategy, Wessex Water
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