A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to help improve river water quality has been completed.

Anglian Water has finished work to upgrade its Water Recycling Centre (WRC) at Sible Hedingham.

The work involved installing new equipment which will remove phosphorous from wastewater, improving river water quality nearby.

Phosphorous is widely used in soaps and cleaning products but can be harmful to wildlife when it reaches rivers and other watercourses.

The investment at Sible Hedingham WRC, which was worth more than £4million, includes new equipment to strengthen the current water recycling process and remove more phosphorous from wastewater.

This equipment will help remove harmful algae growth and improve water quality in local watercourses.

The work comes as the water company is beginning work on three new phosphorous removal schemes nearby, at Gosfield, Earls Colne and Eight Ash Green WRCs.

The investments, which are worth a total of £7million, will further protect the River Colne by removing harmful phosphorous from other points along the river.

Anglian Water spokesman Regan Harris said: “We’re really pleased that these upgrades to our Water Recycling Centre in Sible Hedingham, alongside the new schemes nearby, will help to protect the River Colne.

“This investment will also increase our resilience to climate change, by helping us make sure the wastewater is treated to an even higher standard than usual before it’s returned to the natural environment.

“We know how important rivers and the wider environment are to our customers and local communities.

“That’s why we’ve committed through our Get River Positive programme that our water recycling processes will not harm rivers.”