ARK(Action for the River Kennet) has partnered with local landowners, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Rivers Trust to build two wetlands in Wilton and Fyfield in the Kennet Valley to naturally slow and filter water, improving river water quality and protecting river flows.
The wetlands will be completed by the end of 2023. They will recharge nearly 600 million litres of groundwater per year and improve water quality by catching and treating polluted runoff from farms and roads. The project will help address growing water scarcity and declining water quality in the Thames River basin. The project is part of AWS international commitment to return more water than it uses by 2030.
ARK’s director Charlotte Hitchmough said, “It’s exciting to be part of an international project to protect water resources. These new wetlands in the Kennet Valley will improve the resilience of our local rivers and recreate amazing habitats for wildlife that have been lost through land drainage and water abstraction.”
Mark Lloyd, CEO of the Rivers Trust said, “We are looking forward to growing our relationship with AWS and using this partnership to demonstrate a similar path other businesses can take to support collaborative water stewardship activities.”
Details of AWS water stewardship program can be found here. More detail on the ARK wetlands can be found here.
Striking Traffic Wardens picket George Lane in Marlborough
