Southern Water’s in-house Environment team has been training the company’s 20 technical coordinators to recognise key invasive non-native species (INNS) species which can wreak ecological havoc on sensitive habitats so they can be controlled more effectively throughout its sites.

Species including plants such floating pennywort and Japanese knotweed and animals including zebra mussels and signal crayfish can destroy habitats and devour local biodiversity.

The coordinators audit the water company’s treatment plants, pumping stations and other assets and will have a key role in identifying and reporting INNS. The training sessions are also being opened up to some of Southern Water’s key engineering contractor partners. Engineering teams who work on bursts, leaks and work sites across the region can play a key role in limiting the spread of invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed.

Tom Alexander, graduate ecologist with the Environmental Team commented:

“Invasive species can do tremendous damage – floating pennywort for example grows rapidly and can totally choke ponds and waterways harming our natural environment by outcompeting native plants and disrupting ecosystems. Invasive species can also potentially damage our treatment works by clogging up filters and pipelines.”

Environmental Manager Dr Nicola Meakins who says awareness raising is a key part of the battle. During recent ecological survey work on the River Bewl, the teams found a new INNS to the region – the Demon Shrimp which prey on a wide range of native animals, fish eggs and even young fish, like their cousin the Killer Shrimp.