investment in Beddington's sewerage treatment facility has lead to huge improvements in the water quality of the River Wandle.

In a five-yearly report published by the Environment Agency last week, the river achieved a B rating based on year 2000 measurements, which reflects a good quality of water, compared with 1995 when it was given an E grade (poor).

The Wandle's improvements are echoed throughout the Thames area, where overall water quality is better now than it has ever been.

The grades, given to all UK rivers and estuaries, reflect aesthetic appearance and general chemical and biological quality including ability to support plants and other aquatic life.

As a result of new Environment Agency guidelines triggered by the disappointment of earlier studies, in 1998 Thames Water funded improvements at Beddington which mainly involved updating a system of filter screens which now completely remove objects like rags and condoms instead of them being mashed into a puree and expelled straight into the river.

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We are very pleased at the difference in water quality.

"Much of the water in the Wandle comes from the Beddington plant and therefore the improvements there have resulted in this huge increase in water quality."

Another factor in the Wandle's progress has been increased river flow caused by heavy rainfall, which has diluted pollutants.

Dr John Haines, water quality planner for the Agency, said: "A mixture of careful regulation by the Agency and extensive works by Thames Water has brought about an impressive restoration of some of our rivers across the region.

"We can also expect further benefits from investments that are still taking place. That said, there is still work to be done and more stringent European standards to be met in the next few years."

Efforts will continue to reduce the amounts of harmful nutrients from sewage works and from fertilisers washing down from farmland.

The River Wandle flows through Croydon under the Purley Way and appears at Waddon Ponds, also appearing in heavy rainfall as springs and streams all over central and south Croydon, and joins the Thames at Wandsworth.

December 5, 2001 17:00