South East Water is dedicated to protecting its own landholdings but also works in partnerships to conserve the environment as a whole in the region.

In our bid to secure a quality water supply for customers, we undertake a number of construction projects such as laying new pipelines or upgrading treatment works.

For these projects, our engineers work with the company’s Environmental team to minimise the impact on the environment. Specialist ecologists carry out an assessment to ensure the environment is protected at every stage of the construction programme. Where there is an impact on the environment, South East Water will carry out restoration work, or create new habitats to encourage native species back to the area affected. We also often employ archaeologists on major schemes to protect our ancient heritage.

For example, as part of a scheme to lay a pipeline from Bewl Reservoir on the Kent/Sussex border to Darwell Reservoir in Sussex, ‘no-dig’ technology was used in some areas to minimise the impact on trees, hedgerows and water courses.

And as part of a £840,000 pipeline project in Ashdown Forest and Rotherfield in East Sussex, a new pond for Great Crested Newts was specially created.