Reedbed/wetland buffer zones between local sewerage works and the Evenlode river

We met with Robert Courts earlier this year (featured in his online news letter) to look at possible solutions to improving water quality in the River Evenlode.

Several sewerage works discharge into the river when it rains and we monitor the water monthly as part of Water Watch. The river is essentially dead with no plant or animal life.

We met Robert Courts at Combe sewerage works and discussed putting a reed bed/wetland buffer zone in the fields between the sewerage works and the river. He was supportive and enthusiastic. He found out that the fields in question belong to Blenheim.

We would like this to be taken forward as it may help mitigate against some of the sewerage discharges into the river and will be complementary to expansion of some of the sewerage work capacity that is planned or has started.

However for this to work a holistic plan needs to be instigated along the length of the river where each sewerage works is located as doing this in only one place will not achieve as much benefit.

The biodiversity gains in the river and the buffer zone wetlands/reed beds would be highly beneficial for nature. We need West Oxfordshire's help to scope this out as it's more than our small group can manage. However, we think we have made a significant start with the concept and this now needs vision from the local authority and an action plan if we are to restore our rivers to the living, thriving and diverse wild life habitats that they used to be when I moved to the area thirty years ago.