Goldhanger

Hello Goldhanger

Thank you to everyone who attended our event.

 

We're working hard with partners and local people in their communities, we are restoring and regenerating our natural environment, creating an even better place to live and work through our local actions.

Here are some key projects:

At Layer Water Treatment Works (WTW), we are in the final stage of completing a £30M investment project aiming to improve the region’s water supply resilience.

  • The project has been delivered in two phases and began in 2021.
  • Phase one was the installation of a new ‘sand yard’ at the rear of the site, housing a new sand washing machine that replaces an older model that had been in place at the front of the WTW.
  • Sand washing ensures that the sand in filter beds, used as part of the process of clarifying the raw water during the treatment process, can be re-used time after time and will continue to deliver the best results.
  • With the new sand washer installed in 2023, work then started on the second phase of work, which comprises of the installation of a Mecana filter block at the inlet to the site.
  • This new additional filter block is required to ensure a resilient supply of water to our customers for future generations.
  • Raw water quality can be affected by such issues as heavy rain causing run-off from farmland into Abberton Reservoir and hot weather leading to algae growth. Climate change causes both to happen more often, and the new filters will help to tackle these impacts.
  • The new Mecana filters have been positioned on an elevated steel frame at the inlet of the treatment works, allowing them to filter the raw water before it flows through the rest of the treatment process under gravity, reducing the energy needed to produce the drinking water.
  • The filters are a chemical free system and are built off-site, to minimise site construction time and avoid disruption. They are manufactured in the UK and should be in service by late Summer 2026.

A Temporary Use Ban (TUB) was introduced on Monday 3 August; it applies to all household customers in Essex and Suffolk.

  • A TUB restricts the use of a hosepipe and any attachment to a hosepipe such as a pressure washer, sprinkler, irrigation system.
  • The prolonged heatwaves and dry weather have led to an increased demand for water, as customers try to stay cool and hydrated. Customers are using an average of an extra 29 million litres of water per day, that’s the equivalent of adding an extra Chelmsford onto our existing supply area!
  • It has also impacted reservoir levels, with Hanningfield and Abberton sitting at a combined average of 69%, which is below average for this time of year.
  • Visit this web page www.eswater.co.uk/temporaryuseban to read more about the ban, including FAQs and details on exemptions.

If you live in Goldhanger, your drinking water is supplied by Layer WTW.

  • Our Layer treatment site supplies a clean, reliant water supply for over 370,000 customers in North Essex.
  • The water flowing into Layer WTW comes from Abberton Reservoir.
  • We have recently delivered the new 19.5km Layer to Langford pipeline, a £20 million investment connecting raw water supplies in the northern and southern parts of Essex. The pipeline will be capable of carrying up to 50 million litres of water a day.

In 2025-30 we will invest £1.5bn – our largest ever sum.

  • We’re creating 3,000 jobs a year across our business and adding £1.7bn to the local economy through employment and using local suppliers.
  • We’re investing £386m in new water supplies to ensure the security of your water supply in the future.
  • Investing £17.5m to reduce what are already the lowest leakage levels in the country.
  • £73.4m on helping you to save water by introducing compulsory water meters and offering water saving tips.

Bluespaces are water environments accessible to customers via road, footpath, bridleway, other public rights of way, or at a country park or beach.

  • We made a pledge to improve 500km of Bluespaces for our customers by 2030. So far, we are over halfway to reaching our goal and have big ambitions for delivering positively impactful projects where they are most needed.
  • Since its initiation in 2020, the Bluespaces partnership funding scheme has helped deliver over 6,000 volunteer days and engaged over 18,000 members of the public across 59 projects and 500 events. Our co-funding has helped plant nearly 20,000 new trees, created over 400 hectares of new wetland, and helped tackle eight different kinds of invasive non-native species (INNS), as well as enhancing access and recreational facilities for local communities. 
  • Please visit 'Our Scheme' for more information on our funding streams. 
  • We encourage our customers and local groups to let us know where and what these should be. If you have any ideas, get in touch by emailing Bluespaces@nwl.co.uk

The Branch Out scheme supports the resilience of the natural environment across our operating & catchment areas.

  • It provides funding to communities, land managers, partner organisations, and individuals to deliver projects that enhance biodiversity, improve habitat connectivity, and strengthen the ecosystems that people and wildlife depend on.
  • For more information on eligibility and application, as well as the details of our three main funding streams, please go to our website at 'Branch Out funds'
  • Have a project in mind? Please speak to the Branch Out team at Branchout@nwl.co.uk

Field to Tap funding is available for farmers and landowners, and covers a variety of infrastructure, field options, training and innovation to improve water quality.

  • To view some examples of our previous funding projects, please visit 'Field to Tap'
  • If you would like any further information regarding our work in catchment or are interested in funding opportunities please email us catchment@nwl.co.uk

We know our communities are facing a cost-of-living crisis with bills going up. We are committed to helping those that need it most.

  • If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay their bills, please talk to us.
  • There are lots of ways we can help: eswater.co.uk/bill-help.
  • We’re increasing our customer support to over £66m. This will include a £20m hardship fund.
  • The extra money raised by increased bills will only fund improvements in our water system.

To find out more about leaks, water disruptions, and your water quality reports in your area.

By 2035, all water meters in the UK will be smart.

  • Visit 'Could a water meter save you money?' to use our usage calculator to estimate how much your bill would be if you switched to a meter.
  • A smart water meter lets you track exactly how much water your household is using, helping you spot leaks early and keep your bills accurate. They also help us understand how water is used across our network so we can keep clean, clear, great-tasting tap water flowing to your home.
  • Visit 'Smart water meters' to read more about smart meters and our rollout.

We think it’s important to give back to make a positive impact in our local communities.

  • All our team are encouraged to volunteer to support community groups and charities through our Just an Hour scheme.
  • This initiative gets our teams out in the communities we serve, supporting great causes. People choose causes that resonate with them personally - for at least 15 hours a year.
  • Want to know more? Please see: 'Just an hour: Case studies' or email justanhour@nwl.co.uk to find out how we can support your organisation.

Are you sure?

Changes are waiting to be saved

Hosepipe restrictions

 

There is a Temporary Use Ban, also known as a hosepipe ban, across our supply area. 

 

Visit our Temporary Use Ban page for more information.