Protecting our environment
We are continually investing in our water and sewage treatment assets to improve the quality of water supplied and effluent discharged from our works.
We recognise that we have a responsibility to protect the environment when we are maintaining or developing our infrastructure.
The environment in the our region is exceptionally varied, in terms of landscape and wildlife habitats.
Notable landscapes include the Somerset Levels adjoining the Severn Estuary, the south Cotswolds, the chalk downs of Salisbury Plain, the Hampshire River Avon, the Quantock and Mendip Hills, the Dorset heaths, the Isle of Purbeck and Chesil Beach. Most of these lie within areas classified as Areas of Outstanding National Beauty.
The quality of wildlife habitats is reflected in the fact that the southern part of our region has the highest density of sites protected under the European Union Habitats and Species Directive.
Three areas that are particularly highly-regarded for wildlife are:
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Site of Special Scientific Interest |
Special Area of Conservation (Habitats Directive) |
Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) |
Ramsar Wetland of International Importance |
Examples of interesting features |
| Hampshire River Avon |
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Diverse river habitats, chalk streams, Atlantic salmon, lamprey, water crowfoot. |
| Somerset Levels and Moors |
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The largest lowland grassland and wetland in the UK. Birds including Bewick's swan, golden plover, teal, lapwing. |
| The Severn Estuary |
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The largest coastal plain estuary in the UK. 110 fish species including lampreys, twait and Allis shad. |
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