Nature River Mel Restoration
Spring certainly arrived on the river with a bang this year. The kingcups were glorious and moorhens and mallard ducks were busy making nests. Our April working party was well attended; enabling us to do repairs to the riverbank, improve the channel under the A10 bridge and complete an in-river litter pick.
The visit was very informative and we learnt that the plant operates within carefully controlled consent limits that are monitored by the Environment Agency. We saw first-hand the reactors that treat the sewage using a biological process that breaks down the micro-organisms in the sewage and produces sludge which is taken away for further treatment. We saw a sample of the final effluent, and learnt how the flow from the plant into the river is controlled to limit erosion to the river bank. One matter of concern to the group was the issue of un-flushable items, such as baby wipes and feminine hygiene products that have been removed from the river during working parties. These are screened out early in the treatment process, but sometimes pass through and end up in the river. It may say on the packet that these items are flushable, but in reality they are not – they readily combine with fat in the sewers and cause blockages, as recently witnessed on The Moor.
Kingcup in the rivermel and left a close up of Kingcup.
The group have also recently visited the Anglian Water Sewage Treatment Works in Melbourn. This is of interest to us as there is a discharge point from the sewage works into the river between Melbourn and Meldreth just before the railway line. Above: Un-flushable items Left: Anglian Water Sewage Treatment Works in Melbourn A n g l ia n Wate r r u n m a r ket i n g campa igns to educate the public, but we also want to bring this to the attention of the wider community. The solution to this problem is simple; these items should be placed in a bin rather than flushed down the toilet. Working parties meet monthly, either in Melbourn or Meldreth. For further deta ils about volunteering or the dates of future working parties please telephone Maureen Brierley 01763 262752. melbournmagazine
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