RSPB's new water pumps harness the power of the sun
The RSPBs' investment in solar power is great news for the environment
The 3 solar powered pumps installed on Wennington are now fully operational.
These innovative pumps, which can move up to 35m3 of water per hour, have been supplied by Dutch company Aqua Delta, and were installed with the help of Essex based contractors, Hugh Pearl.
Andrew, Site Manager at the RSPB, tells us more;
"Breeding wader populations on the reserve have been steadily increasing over the last 6 years, and in 2017, there were 68 pairs of lapwing, and 53 pairs of redshank.
The previous focus for our habitat management has been Aveley Marsh, and this is where the breeding wader populations have been strongest in recent years. Since 2015 however, a programme of habitat improvement works have been underway on Wennington Marsh, a 94ha area of wetland habitats, the majority of which (81ha) is coastal grazing marsh. This work has included the creation of over 8km of shallow scrape and footdrains, and a 4.2km new combination predator fence.
These improvements saw a considerable improvement of breeding wader numbers on Wennington Marsh in 2017 – nearly 40 pairs compared to less than 10 in previous years.
We can use these pumps to manage water levels in the network of shallow scrapes and ditches that were created across Wennington in 2014/15, helping to ensure that Wennington continues to develop as an excellent habitat for breeding waders and other wetland wildlife.
Standing by these pumps, and seeing them move water using the power of the sun, is really quite special."
The project was made possibly thanks to Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Community Fund, the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme through the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Environment Agency, for helping fund this work.