In 2018, harmful levels of ammonia and phosphate were accumulating in the River Ingol, prompting us to explore natural alternatives to traditional nutrient stripping techniques. Having successfully created and trialled a treatment wetland on the River Mun, which achieved encouraging reductions in nutrient levels, a solution was within reach.
Funded by Anglian Water, delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency, and constructed by William Morfoot Ltd., we created a 1-hectare Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) beside the River Ingol – a type of “treatment wetland”. The site consists of four interconnected shallow pools, the first of which receives used but treated water from the nearby Water Recycling Centre (WRC). The pools were planted with around 25,000 native wetland plants - such as iris, watercress, water mint and marsh marigold - to help purify the water by filtering and absorbing remaining nutrients. After the water has filtered through each pool, the treated water is released from the fourth cell into the River Ingol.
Just one year after completion, mean nitrate and phosphate concentrations were found to have reduced by approximately 30% across the Ingol ICW, whilst nutrient loading to the River Ingol was reduced by approximately 70%.
But our work doesn’t stop when construction is complete. A core part of our vision is to drive innovation and collaboration; continually looking for ways to improve how these wetlands are managed, including these constructed wetlands, and involving students and experts from across the county to boost their benefits.
As part of a larger study, a UEA PhD student released a harmless, inert dye into the wetland via the inlet pipe and tracked how it moved through the system, temporarily turning the water green. This is to see whether the flow of water is creating short-cuts through the wetland, which would affect its ability to remove pollutants.
The study has the potential to inform new wetland plant management strategies by opening up areas where water isn’t reaching. Removing shortcuts and slowing the flow of water will improve the wetland’s performance.
Did you know that old septic tanks can pollute nearby waterways? We've partnered with Our Rivers and Binder to upgrade outdated septic tanks in key catchments across Norfolk.
Proactively protecting the village of Gissing, in south Norfolk, from flooding.
Across the south of England, you can find wonderful sources of crystal-clear water better known as chalk streams.
Accessing Norfolk’s rivers and countryside
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