A sewage works in Debenham is being fitted with new equipment to extract a chemical found in some laundry detergents - at a cost of more than £650k.
Utilities firm Anglian Water said the works on the phosphorous extraction equipment at the village's Water Recycling Centre (WRC) in Thorpe Lane was aimed at improving water quality in the River Deben.
Work started on site at Debenham this month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Customers should not experience any disruption as a result of the work, the firm said.
Phosphorous is used widely in soaps and cleaning products but can be harmful to wildlife when it enters rivers and other watercourses.
The new equipment will strengthen the current water recycling process and remove more phosphorous from wastewater. It will also help remove harmful algae growth and improve water quality in local watercourses, said the firm.
Overall, it will mean the processed water entering the river will be cleaner in order to protect water quality in the river.
Anglian Water said it is installing similar technology at several other points along the River Deben to help improve the quality of water returned to the river from sewage plants throughout the catchment.
It has been working with local river groups on their recent application for designated bathing water status on a stretch of the Deben, and is carrying out extra water quality tests.
It is also proposing new disinfection measures in its 2025-30 business plan to further improve the river’s water quality.
Regan Harris of Anglian Water, said: “We’re really pleased that these upgrades to Debenham’s Water Recycling Centre will help to protect the River Deben and increase our resilience to climate change, by helping us make sure the wastewater is treated to an even higher standard than usual before it’s returned to the natural environment.
“We know how important rivers and the wider environment are to our customers and local communities. That’s why we’ve committed through our Get River Positive programme that our water recycling processes will not harm rivers.”
Get River Positive was launched by Anglian Water and Severn Trent last year and includes five pledges to transform river water quality across their regions, and demonstrates a clear and actionable response to calls for a revival of rivers in England.
The main pledge is a commitment that work carried out by the two water companies will ensure storm overflows and sewage treatment works do not harm rivers.
The Debenham project is being carried out by Anglian Water’s @one Alliance which delivers complex engineering and construction projects across the Anglian Water region.
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