Welsh Water Restores Ecosystems

Published on January 8, 2015 10:59 by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business

DÅµr Cymru Welsh Water has been working in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, RSPB Cymru, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the National Trust to restore peatland ecosystems and improve the quality of water entering its treatment works

The innovative and transformational partnership was awarded £165,000 from the Welsh Government's resilient Ecosystems Fund to restore peatland ecosystems in two distinct uplands areas, Mynydd Hiraethog and the Migneint, on the North Wales Moors.

Welsh Water has two reservoirs in the area, Alwen Reservoir and Llyn Conwy, both with high concentrations of colour and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) because of the surrounding peat and over the past 30 years DOC concentrations have doubled in the reservoirs.

To reduce these levels, RSPB Cymru worked with the partnership and surrounding landowners to block historic drainage ditches to raise the water table in peatland around the Alwen Reservoir. This should encourage the growth of Sphagnum mosses, and help to provide the conditions necessary for a healthy, functioning peatland. Water quality monitoring by Welsh Water has shown a short-term reduction in DOC concentrations in the streams draining the restored peatland at the Alwen Reservoir.

Source:DÅµr Cymru Welsh Water Company Website

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