Water in the River Chelmer will be healthier for wildlife and better for drinking as a result of cuts in nitrate pollution from sewage treatment works.
Environment Minister Michael Meacher this week announced that a stretch of the river would be designated as sensitive to nitrates under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.
This will mean action by Anglian Water company to reduce the nitrate discharges from sewage treatment works by 2004.
The Chelmer is one of four UK rivers to receive the designation, with the Rivers Stour and Wissey also in the Anglian region.
An additional 180 coastal areas have also declared as 'Sensitive Areas (bathing water)' under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, nine of which are on the east coast.
The news has been welcomed by Chelmsford West MP Simon Burns: "This is environmentally beneficial to the local environment and will ensure clean and healthy water not only for the local community but equally importantly, for our aquatic wildlife."
Published Friday, March 8, 2002
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