BART are working in partnership with the world renowned wetlands expert, Rob McInnes, researchers from Bath Spa University and a local environmental consultancy called Engain, on a project to implement a cost-effective, natural wetland based system for preventing nutrient pollution from entering the Tortworth Brook from sewage treatment works and farm run off. The project has been jointly funded by DEFRA and Wessex Water and is being carried out in partnership with Tortworth Estate.
The project is being developed as a payments for ecosystem services, or PES for short. If this approach is successful, it is hoped that it will form a blueprint for roll-out in many locations, providing cleaner water for our rivers and fabulous new habitats for wildlife.
For more information about how PES projects work, please see the Rivers Trust.
