A great day out with Hampshire Wildlife Trust
We enjoyed a fascinating tour of the water treatment system owned by Portsmouth Water, showing how safe water is produced. The site is a wonderful wildlife refuge close to Southampton Airport, the M3 and the River Itchen. Quiet because much of the operation is automatic so the staffing is low, the whole area is sensitively managed with wildlife very much in mind.
The water is initially pumped into an open storage reservoir which can hold up to 135 million litres. Water from the reservoir is then dosed with chemicals in the ‘clarification stage’ of the treatment process where most of the smaller particles ‘settle out’. Any remaining particles, as well as tastes, odours and other chemicals are removed in the ‘filtration stage’ before chlorine is added to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of the treated water leaving the works.
The old settlement lagoon is neck deep in vegetation and has one of Graham Roberst otter holts - in use!