Study looks at keeping rivers and streams healthy

Southern Water has been working with University of Portsmouth PHD student Saskia Benzig to investigate the best way to remove phosphorus from water released into the environment.

The joint study has been based at the firm’s waste treatment plant in Petersfield.

Rebecca Kennedy, research and development planner, said: ‘Phosphorus is good at making things grow - which is why a fifth of the phosphorus entering the water cycle comes from fertiliser run off.

‘But that includes making algae bloom in rivers and streams and that can have a serious impact on the other living things trying to share an eco-system.’