Work improves conditions for fish

The machinery contains 2,000 membranes to filter the water

Water quality in a Kent river has been improved with the installation of the latest technology to filter out waste.

Southern Water said it is the first time a "membrane bioreactor plant" has been used at any of its sites.

More than 2,000 membranes are filtering water at Sissinghurst treatment works before it is returned to the Hammer Stream, on the River Beult.

The firm said it would protect the water from excess plant and algae and lead to better conditions for fish.

The £2.6m upgrade at Sissinghurst was part of a £1bn five-year environmental improvement scheme, the company said.

Storm water tanks

The Sissinghurst plant treats 270,000 litres of wastewater each day from more than 1,600 people.

The upgrade also covered the screening plant and pumping station, which deals with wastewater when it arrives.

And tanks to store storm water during bad weather conditions were refurbished.

John Spence, wastewater and environmental strategy manager said: "Improving the environment is at the heart of Southern Water's business."

Last month Southern water was named as the worst pollution offender in the South by the Environment Agency which said the company was the most frequently prosecuted and highest fined water company in its southern region.

The agency also said that water firms were the most prosecuted industry in 2004.

Southern Water said a £523m sewage upgrade was under way to cut the number of incidents and figures for 2005 showed that the number of pollution incidents had fallen.