Regional utility company Anglian Water is pouring £7m into a scheme to restore rivers to their natural shape.

The firm will be "re-wiggling" 16 rivers across the East in a bid to improve the region's drought resilience and improve water flow.

It will be using gravel and large woody debris to recreate the "natural state" of the rivers - including along the Lark, the Sapiston and the Stowlangtoft.

The Lark catchment work will be at points in Tuddenham, Cavenham, Linnet, Lee Brook and Kennet Lee Brook.

Over time the new features will embed into the riverbank, said the company, and create more energy through the channel along with other features such as riffles and pool sequences.  

John Bolton is project manager for the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) the umbrella scheme for the project.  

"We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to support nature and protect the environment, particularly as the impacts of climate change and a growing population are adding increasing pressures on our precious water resources," he said.

"Between 2020-2025, we will reduce the amount of water we take from the environment by 84 million litres a day - more than any other water company, but it’s as important that we help our region’s rivers to be as natural as possible, to encourage the flora and fauna to flourish.

“Improving river health across our region is important not only to our customers but also to us.

"As part of our Get River Positive Commitments, we’ve promised that our activity will not by the reason for unhealthy rivers, the work being carried out across these schemes are just some examples of how we’re helping our region’s watercourses and wildlife thrive.” 

Anglian Water is investing around £156m this year in its Get River Positive programme and has pledged to enhance rivers and create new wildlife habitats.

It is working with local river groups to improve river water quality across the region "through a rigorous water quality monitoring programme", it added.  

Construction work on the schemes is expected to start towards the end of this year and to be completed by December 2024.   

Anglian Water supplies drinking water to 4.3m customers across the East of England and collects and treats used water from more than 6m people.

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