Stiffkey Village: Integrated Constructed Wetland

An Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) has been created in Stiffkey village to provide natural wastewater treatment to improve water quality and the health of surrounding habitats.

The river Stiffkey, a valuable chalk stream of approximately 29km in length, is vital to the ecosystem of the area, originating from natural springs and flowing out to sea at Blakeney Harbour. Unchanged: The river Stiffkey, a valuable chalk stream of approximately 29km in length, is vital to the ecosystem of the area, originating from natural springs and flowing out to sea at Blakeney Harbour.

In the village of Stiffkey itself, the construction of a small number of new houses led to concerns that household wastewater treatment would be put under increased pressure, with potential negative impacts to the river’s water quality.

The Impact

In 2023, we created an Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) to provide an additional treatment process for effluent leaving Stiffkey’s Water Recycling Centre (WRC). This was deemed necessary as although treated effluent has to meet compliance limits (as determined by the Environment Agency), it can still contain phosphate, nitrate and ammonia, which can harm freshwater ecosystems – especially sensitive chalk streams.

Through collaboration with a local landowner, two connecting pools were constructed and planted with native wetland plants to naturally filter the effluent.

Classed as a ‘nature-based solution’, ICWs can provide multiple benefits beyond wastewater treatment. The pools remain wet year-round, providing a rich habitat for wildlife and enhancing biodiversity in the area.

Funding

This work was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the WWF and Finish partnership as part of a series of projects to improve river health in North Norfolk.

Wetland plants are important in ICWs to further assist the filtration of pollutants.

Two connecting pools were created to provide natural filtration of effluent discharge.