Water’s magazine Winter ’20

The learning never stops Our education advisers explain what we have to offer – pages 26 to 27 Winter tips for your home How to protect your home and garden – pages 6 to 7 The hard facts of water What causes limescale – pages 12 to 13

In your area What’s been happening in your community – pages 14 to 21 Welcome njoying countryside walks and exploring between homeowners and Wessex Water. That’s What's going on In nature is a popular pastime for many and why we’ve included a sewer ownership article in lots of us have taken to this during the this edition to help explain things. E coronavirus pandemic to see what our local areas have to offer. There’s no doubt that it’s a challenging time for many people and we realise that some may find it This autumn, walks through woodlands are set to incredibly hard to afford their water bill. If you, or your community? be even more vibrant, with the National Trust someone you know is struggling, it’s worth Marilyn Smith, Group suggesting good sunny spells in the spring and finding out more about the help we can provide – Director of Communication summer followed by bursts of rain in September there are details on pages 8 to 9 and on the & Community will result in leaves of wonderful colours. back cover. Keep up to date with our FREE email newsletter As the seasons change, it’s that time of year when With many community projects also struggling to we need to prepare our homes so we’re not raise funds they desperately need, we’re caught out during the wintry months. We have continuing to provide financial support through We want to hear from you... some great tips on what to do on pages 6 to 7. the Wessex Water Foundation. The recovery fund Explore local days out Write to us at Wessex Water supports local organisations responding to the When it comes to wet weather, there’s sometimes Magazine, Public Relations, needs of people in their community and building Wessex Water, Claverton Down, confusion among customers who experience resilience for the future. localised flooding caused by blockages. You can Bath BA2 7WW or email us at Get support for a project see why because responsibilities are split I hope you enjoy the issue. [email protected]

Get top tips for your home and garden 26-27 Editor: Marilyn Smith What’s inside [email protected]

Design: Sally Amouroux, this issue Paul Gunning and Sam Weeks

wessexwater.co.uk/sign-up Editorial: Ian Drury, Lauren East, George Keast, Emily Larque, Pete Orchard, 4 In the news – a look at the 10-11 12-13 Jan Rance, Kirsty Scarlett and stories that have made the Tom Thomson headlines Published by Wessex Water Contact us 24 Think oil tank – useful oil tank tips 5 Understanding our rivers – The Wessex Water Magazine Billing enquiries Water supply or sewerage enquiries safeguarding our natural world 25 Preparing for winter – how we are • Payment arrangements • Metering • Moving house • Loss of supply • Leak • Water quality problem Claverton Down getting ready for the winter months Bath BA2 7WW • Problems paying • High water use • Priority Services • Sewage flooding • Blocked sewer 6-7 Winter tips for your home – How to protect your home and garden 26-27 The learning never stops – our Print managed by TaskerStone

0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; 0345 600 4 600 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, education advisers explain what and distributed by Royal Mail 8-9 Affordable bills for all – helping you Saturday, 8am to 2pm) emergencies only at other times) they have been up to through challenging times Disclaimer: While every reasonable care is taken with all material Submit an online enquiry via our website 28 Have yourself an eco-friendly Submit an online enquiry via our website 10-11 Whose pipework is it? – advice on submitted to The Wessex Water wessexwater.co.uk/contactus wessexwater.co.uk/contactus Christmas – ideas for some gifts Magazine, the publisher cannot pipework responsibility accept responsibility for loss or with a difference damage to such material. The Write to: Wessex Water, 1 Clevedon Walk, , Write to: Operational enquiries, Wessex Water, 12-13 The hard facts of water – what opinions expressed or advice given 29 Supporting stronger communities BS48 1WA Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7WW causes limescale? in this publication are the views of – Wessex Water recovery fund the individual authors and do not

14-21 In your area – community round up necessarily represent the views or We welcome calls via the Next Generation Text service. Calls to 0345 numbers usually cost the same as standard UK 30 Investing in the future – giving policies of Wessex Water.

landline numbers. Please check with your telephone service provider. We may record telephone calls into our contact 22 Get Water Fit – how much water do your career a kickstart This publication is copyright and may centres for quality, security and training purposes. you use? not be reproduced in any form either 31 Create a wildlife-friendly garden in part or whole without written Wessex Water supplies water and sewerage services to an area of the south west of England, covering 10,000 square kilometres including , 23 All about your bill – find out why this winter – top tips to help wildlife permission from the publishers. Somerset, Bristol, most of and parts of and . Within our region supplies water to the city of Bristol metered bills might increase in your garden and surrounding areas including some parts of Somerset. supplies water to Bournemouth and to just south of Salisbury.

Tell us what you think of our service To contact us or find out more about and share your experience with others. Wessex Water see our contact details on the page opposite or visit: Search Wessex Water on trustpilot.com wessexwater.co.uk in the news Pete Orchard provides a round-up of how we’ve Understanding our rivers made the headlines

Praise from customer Volunteers dig deep for Awards recognise Helping to bring back the watchdog Dorset pre-school environmental beloved beaver commitment We have again been singled Panda Pre-school in A five-year beaver trial on out as a top performer in the Blandford, Dorset, created a Our environment and planning the River Otter has been annual Consumer Council for new woodland learning area services colleagues were completed with support from Water (CCW) complaints for children with help from named ‘best team from a large a number of organisations, report. two of our Water Force organisation’ at this year’s including us. volunteers. IEMA Sustainability The number of written Impact Awards. complaints received from General foreman Gordon customers in 2019/20 fell by Langford and repair and These reward people and 23% while there was a maintenance team leader businesses who are massive 40% reduction in David Lane visited the pre- tackling environmental mbracing the natural world has never felt more ‘stage 2’ complaints, where school with an excavator on a issues in sustainable and important than in this difficult year, and we all have Saturday to help dig holes for innovative ways, such as a responsibility to safeguard its future. tree planting, ensuring our in-house newt E children from different social detection dog Freya. Wild river swimming is popular in parts of our backgrounds could learn and Judges highlighted our region, such as the idyllic Warleigh Weir near Bath, and we play outdoors safely without collaborative approach understand that people want to know more about our having to rely on protective with regulators and other The trial, which was led by treatment of sewage at nearby water recycling centres. equipment. organisations as key to our Devon Wildlife Trust, started In September we joined volunteers and collaborators to We believe river bathing water status is success. in 2015 and has resulted in issues with service or bills are two family groups of beavers monitor the water quality of the River Avon, taking achievable but it will require significant Sarah Mukherjee, CEO of the not resolved at the first time being successfully bred samples from 22 sites between Warleigh and Melksham as Institute of Environmental investment, collaboration and changes in of asking. throughout the catchment. well as five tributaries which meet the Avon between Management and Assessment those sites. This year’s report – which also (IEMA), said: “Action to Beavers migrated on to our government legislation. measured complaints made tackle the climate and land, which is connected to There is a campaign to make Warleigh the UK’s first river via social media, web chat, environmental crises we the river, and we’ve worked with designated bathing water status, similar to coastal Matt Wheeldon, our director of assets and compliance and SMS and in person – saw us face requires business and with the trust to make sure it’s sites where we treat waste water with ultraviolet light. a wild swimmer himself, said: “Storm overflows operate rated as one of four standout industry, civil society and our a haven for them – while also This process is costly and can have a massive during heavy rainfall to protect homes and businesses performers alongside politicians to step up and lead ensuring we can continue to environmental impact through carbon dioxide emissions. Bournemouth Water, Bristol Pre-school manager Alison the transformation and provide a safe and secure from flooding and rarely cause a pollution – in fact, there Water and . Morris said: “We were so change needed.” water supply. Currently, the treated waste water released into rivers were none in our region last year where overflows grateful to Gordon and Dave meets effluent standards. This means it has no adverse operated as designed. This was followed by news Meanwhile, our engineering We’ve also supported the for giving up their own time to effect on the environment but may not meet bathing water that regulator and sustainable delivery team University of Exeter with “Four pollutions that came from overflows were due to help us out. standards. had placed us third of were winners at the RoSPA funding for monitoring blocked sewers downstream, caused by a combination of 17 companies in its new C- “They worked very hard and it Health and Safety Awards for equipment to help We believe river bathing water status is achievable but it wet wipes that had been wrongly flushed and fat poured MeX table, which measures wasn’t easy as the ground was the fourth time in five years. understand the beavers’ will require significant investment, collaboration and down drains. the quality of services horrendous to dig in some And our major project to behaviour better. changes in government legislation. delivered to customers. places, but they persevered upgrade Durleigh water “It’s predominantly rainwater that is released from CSOs The government has since and completed the job. treatment centre in Somerset Storm overflows due to the sewerage network reaching capacity, but we “We’re committed to going the announced it will allow the has been recognised with a agree that they are unacceptable in 2020 and we support extra mile for our customers “I cannot thank them enough wild breeding population of There has been some media focus recently on combined nomination in Bentley’s Year in any ambition to reduce the number of times they operate. and tailoring our support to as it made such a difference to beavers to remain after the sewer overflows (CSOs), which release highly diluted Infrastructure 2020 awards. their individual needs,” said the project knowing we could trial brought a wealth of sewage into rivers during extreme rainfall to prevent “CSOs are a legacy of a time when most UK properties were director of customer policy plant the trees the following benefits to the local area and flooding. built with only one pipe to drain both foul water and storm and engagement Sue Lindsay. week.” ecology. Great news! water. Even today, developers still have the ‘right to CSOs are only one type of storm overflow, with others connect’ surface water to sewers that carry foul water. located at sewage pumping stations and water recycling centres. These can affect river water quality along with “This has to change and be made illegal if we’re serious For news as it happens, or if you want to share news with us, follow us on Twitter @wessexwater factors such as agriculture, septic tanks, road drainage, about getting rid of them.” misconnected drains and sewer misuse.

4 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 5 Beat the freeze Winter tips for your home Ensure burst pipes and blocked gutters don’t Draught proof your doors and windows Cover your outdoor taps dampen your Christmas spirit… or the interior of Draughty doors and windows could be the reason your home A frozen tap can be easily avoided by your home. feels so cold during winter. You can fix this problem by using an outdoor tap cover. You can applying weatherstripping to your window and door frames, pick these up from most hardware and By making a few small changes and improvements in and around your home, you can as well as using door sweeps to prevent cold air from DIY shops. They will help to ensure you make sure the cold weather doesn’t leave you without heating or water this winter. sneaking in! have a constant flow of water, even when the weather is freezing! These are our top tips to help you keep the cold at bay. Clear gutters and drains Fix taps and check for leaks Locate your stop tap Gutters and drains play an important A dripping tap not only wastes water, but You should locate and test your stop role in carrying water away from also makes your pipes more likely to freeze tap before winter begins so that you your house and preventing water during winter. A trickle of water can know how to turn off your water damage. It’s a good idea to remove become completely frozen, resulting in a supply just in case a burst occurs. any leaves or debris from your block or even a burst. Prepare for winter by They are usually located beneath gutters and drains to ensure you are fixing any leaks before temperatures begin the sink and can be switched off by prepared for future downpours. to drop. To spot a leak in your home, look being turned clockwise. out for a drop in water pressure or damp patches. If your property is metered and the Insulate your loft meter dial is turning when you are not using any water, it is likely you have a leak. A lot of cold air can enter your home through your attic or loft Install a water butt Secure your garden Turn off your internal stop tap and check if it isn’t insulated correctly. By taking the time to properly When winter begins, rainfall tends The UK’s weather is unpredictable to the meter. If the meter dial has stopped insulate, you can ensure your home stays warm while also to increase. Take advantage of the say the least, so you should prepare turning you may have a leak inside your reducing your heating bills. wet weather by installing a water for all weather conditions. Make sure property. If the meter is still turning when butt to collect rainwater. When items in your garden that could be the stop tap is off you should contact us. summer comes around, you can moved by strong winds are stored Bleed your then use this water to maintain away securely to prevent damage to radiators your garden and wash your car. your home and vehicles. If your heating is on and the top of your radiator is cold, then it most likely needs bleeding. Use a key to Thawing frozen pipes release any trapped air in your radiators and keep a If you experience a frozen pipe, here’s what to do. Lag your pipes cloth nearby to catch any • Turn off your internal stop tap to stop the flow of water. Uncovered pipes in cold areas of your water that drips from the valve. • Partly turn on any affected taps to relieve any pressure. home and garage can become frozen, • Thaw the frozen pipe using a hot water bottle or warm leading to potential bursts. Prevent this Please be aware that depending on your type of central heating, once you’ve bled your radiators, your boiler towels. from happening by applying lagging to • Once thawed, turn your water supply back on. pipes which are exposed to the cold – pressure may drop, potentially resulting in it needing to be remember to cover all joints and bends! repressurised.

6 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 7 Affordable bills for all

During these testing times, many are worried about what the Need to lower your bill? Want to repay water debt and get back on track? future holds for their finances. If you’re facing financial difficulty, If you have a water meter, receive We can work with you to reduce year one, we can reduce your benefits or tax credits and you and clear your debt over a two- debt by an amount equal to how either short-term or long-term, we are here for you. need to use a large amount of year period, allowing you to start much you have paid. Then if you water for reasons beyond your again stress free with our Restart keep up your payments to the he Covid-19 pandemic Here is a full breakdown of the Now more than ever, control, we can put a cap on your scheme. end of year two, we will clear all has created a whole host support on offer. bill via our WaterSure Plus your remaining water debt, of uncertainties for us all. with many on reduced All you have to do is pay an T Looking to save money? scheme. putting you back on track. Perhaps one of the incomes and jobs across agreed amount and at the end of biggest worries for some people is multiple sectors hanging Be smart, switch to a meter – it's If you're unable to afford your the damage to the economy and ongoing water bill, our Assist To apply for any of the support we offer simply visit in the balance, it’s vital free to switch to a meter and on what effect that might have on average customers save £100 per scheme can offer you a low rate wessexwater.co.uk/helptopay or call our friendly team bill based on your ability to pay. personal finances. that we help those in year. And with our money back on 0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, For many years here at Wessex need. guarantee, switching to a meter is Depending on the reason you need Saturday 8am to 2pm). risk free. a lower bill, we may ask you to Water, we have supported across multiple sectors hanging in seek free independent debt advice customers in financial difficulty to the balance, it’s vital that we help Order a free water saving pack – and complete a financial budget. make sure their bill is affordable those in need. with more people at home at the Sign your loved ones up based on their individual moment, people are using more Free independent advice can help We have made sure we have circumstances or help them get water at different times of the you to: to Priority Services back on track if they are in debt. support available for all customers day. Our free water saving pack • boost your income - find out struggling to pay, including those has devices to help you save We’ve made some positive changes to Now more than ever, with many about extra benefits, tax credits directly affected by Covid-19. water in your home. our Priority Services scheme. on reduced incomes, and jobs and schemes You can now sign someone up on their behalf. • manage your money - stay on Are you a pensioner on a low income and missing out? top of essential bills and keep This is particularly useful for friends, family members or your spending on track carers of people in vulnerable circumstances who may be More than 21,000 of our low income pensioners are receiving a • deal with any debts - work out unable to sign up themselves, perhaps due to mental ill health, language barriers, dementia or age. discount of around £60 a year off their water bill. a realistic plan to repay your debts and ensure the most If all adults in your household receive pension credit, or state pension is your Priority Services customers can benefit from: household’s only source of income, we can give you a discount of typically serious debts are dealt with first. 4 reliable access to water during emergencies or outages £60 a year off your water bill. 4 bills and other information in a different format, It’s free to apply, so give us a call on 0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday 8am such as braille to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm) or visit wessexwater.co.uk/pensioncredit We can provide a 4 help locating and reading their meter to fill in a form. range of options 4 a password scheme to protect them from bogus callers.

Remember to tell your friends and family as they may know someone who depending on your Sign up at wessexwater.co.uk/priorityservices

may benefit. circumstances.

8 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 9 Whether on private property or out in the street, sewer blockages across our region caused by the wrong items being flushed or poured away are a real problem. On average we face around 13,000 blockages a year at a cost

Iss ue date: 22/02 /2 0199877 86 of £5 million to remove – and that’s just on the public sewer network, plenty more occur on private customer drains.

0.40.20.0 1.00.80.6 The majority of these blockages are polluted with sewage, which can have caused by wet wipes (even those that devastating consequences for wildlife. are branded ‘flushable’) being incorrectly flushed down the toilet, For customers, blockages can as well as cooking fat, oil and grease sometimes cause sewage to back up The majority being poured down the sink, which into bathrooms and kitchens, leaving Whose pipework is it? solidify over time and stick to other homeowners with internal floods and of these items to create ‘fatbergs’. expensive plumbing costs. For many customers, discovering a blocked sewer pipe on their property can lead to blockages are If sewage overflows from a manhole By working together to dispose of confusion about who to call to clear it. Mark Cooper, sewerage manager for the west caused by wet due to a blockage, there is a risk that items correctly, we can all help our of our region, offers advice on pipework responsibility. the surrounding environment and any local environment and each other. wipes nearby rivers or streams could be Here’s how you can do your bit to or many households, the understandably caused confusion. We the public sewer, then this is still your stop the block. ownership of sewer pipework have unfortunately seen many incidents responsibility to look after. is straightforward – the since 2011 where customers have called “It’s important to know what pipework F homeowner is responsible for out a private drainage contractor and you are responsible for before picking up internal pipes and the drainage paid them a hefty price to work on a the phone to a contractor if something In the kitchen pipe running from the home to their sewer that they are no longer goes wrong. If you’re unsure, it would be boundary or the street boundary, and responsible for.” sensible get in touch with us first so we Out of sight, out of mind – sometimes it’s easy to just Wessex Water is responsible for pipes in In simple terms, for domestic drainage, can come and visit free of charge to the street. pour oil or fat down the drain once you’ve finished the only waste water pipework you are check if it is a public or private problem,” cooking. But over time this can cause big problems for For some households, however, it can be responsible for is that which serves your Mark advises. you or your neighbours. To avoid a fatberg fiasco, keep more complicated, as they may have a property and is within your boundary “If it’s public (Wessex Water owned) we section of Wessex Water-owned only. Once pipework leaves your the following items out of the drains: will deal with the problem at no cost to pipework running through their garden boundary, or if it serves multiple you. If it’s your private responsibility, we to connect to a neighbour. properties (apart from properties divided 8 fat, oil and grease – collect it in a container, leave it may offer a private clearance chargeable into flats), it is Wessex Water’s to cool and solidify then scrape it into your food So why is this sometimes the case? service if it can be achieved at the time. responsibility. “A lot of sewer pipework that runs In the bathroom waste recycling or household waste. Be sure to “The two main priorities when there is a through private property comprises In the case of terraced or semi-detached wipe any excess from pots and pans with kitchen sewer blockage on private property is to public sewers owned by Wessex Water, houses, for example, if your neighbour’s Only flush the three Ps – paper, poo and pee roll before washing them get it cleared quickly so it doesn’t cause but previously privately owned by the pipework comes into your garden where – to keep your pipes blockage-free. pollution and to make sure you don’t end homeowner prior to new legislation in it connects to your drainage, then this 8 food scraps – scrape as much as you can into your up footing the bill for something you’re 2011 where we took ownership of would be Wessex Water’s responsibility If you haven’t already, try placing a bin in food waste recycling or household waste and not responsible for.” thousands of miles of private sewers,” from the point where it leaves your your bathroom to easily dispose of items consider getting a sink strainer to catch the really explains Mark. neighbour’s boundary. The diagram Report broken inspection covers such as: small bits below illustrates this further. If you have a broken inspection cover “While this means the burden of being on your property, or spot one in the responsible for blocked and problem If you own a septic tank, private 8 wet wipes (even those which say they 8 coffee grounds – street, please report it to us by calling sewers on private property was taken off treatment works or any other system on are ‘flushable’ do not break down in scrape as much as 0345 600 4 600. our customers, for some it has your property which does not connect to sewers) you can with a 8 make-up removal pads spoon or kitchen 8 plasters / bandages towel into your 8 cotton buds food waste 8 dental floss recycling or household waste. 8 nappies Or you can add 8 disposable razor blades. them to your compost heap if you have one. To cut down on your plastic waste, you could even go one step further and try Visit wessexwater.co.uk/stoptheblock for more some reusable alternatives to these items. information.

10 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 11

Using natural products The such as lemon juice or LIMESCALEHOW CAN white vinegar can be cleared? HARD remove limescale FACTS OF WATER

Kettles Showerheads Squeeze the juice of a lemon Pour white vinegar into a plastic into the kettle, then chop up bag and cover the showerhead the lemon into small chunks with the bag, making sure the T and put them in too. Fill the areas with limescale are kettle with enough water to submerged in the vinegar. Tie the cover the chunks of lemon, bag in place with an elastic band. boil the water and then leave it to cool down for a few hours. Leave for four to five hours before removing the bag and scrubbing the showerhead with a brush to catch Once cooled, pour away the water and remove the any leftover bits of limescale. Finish by wiping the lemon chunks before wiping the inside of the kettle showerhead clean with a damp cloth. with a soft sponge. Shower screens and doors Washing machines Cut a lemon in half and rub the whole shower screen Spray the rubber gasket and with the inside of the lemon, allowing the juice to detergent drawer with white soak in. vinegar and wipe them While most people prefer the taste of hard water, it can cause limescale to build up around your thoroughly with a microfibre Then get a clear spray bottle and cloth. Then pour two cups fill it half with water and the home. George Keast explains why most of the water in our region is hard and how you can get rid other half with white vinegar. of limescale. of white vinegar into the detergent draw and run the machine on the highest Spray the solution on the shower cycle at the hottest possible temperature. screen and leave it to soak for an his summer many of us treat it, giving it a high mineral unsoftened for drinking water and hour. Wipe clean with a damp opted for ‘staycations’ content. food preparation, as most softeners Once the cycle is complete, pour half a cup of baking cloth and rinse. instead of going on holiday add high levels of sodium to the T While this can give the water a soda into the drum and repeat the same cycle on the abroad. You might have water to do their job, which can be TOP TIP: When using lemons for cleaning, try where fresher taste – as well as bone hottest setting. Once finished, wipe down the drum, noticed differences in the water bad for your health. possible to use ones that have already been chopped health benefits from higher levels gasket and drawer with a damp cloth one final time supply in places you’ve visited or squeezed for eating and drinking to get the most of calcium and magnesium – when Unfortunately, we are unable to to remove any loose bits of limescale. across the UK, perhaps in how it out of them. Bottled lemon juice could also be used the water in your kettle or on your artificially soften your water during tastes or how soap lathers up when Taps as a more cost-effective alternative. shower screen evaporates, the the treatment process, as it would you take a shower. Cut a lemon in half and rub it minerals stick around, solidifying be impossible to provide you with a over the taps, making sure Head over to our YouTube channel to watch these tips These differences are mostly over time to form limescale. separate unsoftened supply with you avoid getting any juice in action. determined by where your water is lower sodium for drinking. Can water hardness be inside the tap to prevent sourced from. In the Wessex Water contamination. For extra reduced? While there’s not much we can do to supply region, particularly in Bath, stubborn bits of limescale, reduce water hardness, we realise Wiltshire and Dorset, a lot of the If you prefer softer water, you can soak a cloth in white vinegar that limescale can be a real pain. So water is naturally hard because it have a water softener installed in and place it over the affected area, leaving it to soak we’ve put together some simple comes from groundwater sources. your home, usually they are put out for an hour. Once done, wipe clean with a damp cleaning tips for appliances around of the way in airing cupboards or cloth. This means it has percolated the home where limescale can build wardrobes. underground through layers of up over time. limestone, chalk or rock before we If you get a softener installed, it is advisable to leave your kitchen tap Visit wessexwater.co.uk/waterquality for more advice and to check the water hardness levels where you live. 12 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 13 In We have provided funding to local organisations and charities in Dorset to your area help them support people in the area. Wessex Water Find out more about how we’ve been community Dorset lending a helping hand. Supporting a food delivery service for people in Bournemouth Through its Community Fridge project, the Townsend Community Association has been providing food parcels and hot meals to people who require support in Bournemouth. The current pandemic has affected the lives of many people in the area, so the charity is playing a vital role in ensuring families don’t go hungry. Earlier in the year, we provided the charity with funding to support this project, helping it to deliver more food parcels and hot meals to residents.

Funding benefits young people in Purbeck The Purbeck Youth and Community Foundation is a charity that provides emotional and practical support to young people and children in Purbeck. The start of lockdown saw some of the charity’s members struggle due to a lack of social interaction, including those with additional Explore your area - Chesil Beach Water refill points near you needs. We provided the charity with funding to Chesil Beach stretches 18 miles from West Bay to To keep people hydrated and reduce the use of help it hold virtual sessions and activities, which Portland, making it one of three major shingle beaches in single-use plastics, we’ve been working with provided vital support to a range of young people the UK. While the beach attracts many visitors during the local councils to install refill points throughout and children in the area. summer, you can also enjoy the brisk sea air by strolling the area we serve. We will be installing them in along its shoreline during autumn and winter. You can also Weymouth, Beaminster, Blandford Forum and learn about the wildlife and history of the beach through Dorchester in the future. Download the Refill app interactive displays at the Chesil Beach Visitor Centre. to find water refill points near you Do you need a helping hand? www.refill.org.uk Last year, more than 100 Wessex Water volunteers spent around 700 hours taking part in volunteering activities in Dorset, helping Replacing ageing water mains in Weymouth to clean beaches and more. If you know of a local project or We’ve replaced ageing water mains in the Westham organisation that could benefit from some help from our area of Weymouth, using the latest ‘no-dig’ Stay up to date with what’s volunteers, get in contact at [email protected] technology to avoid deep excavations and lay pipes happening in your area by signing more quickly and efficiently. This work will improve up to our email newsletter at water quality, help to prevent leaks and ensure a reliable supply now and in the future. wessexwater.co.uk/sign-up

Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community

14 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 15 In Learn about the work we’ve your area been carrying out to benefit Wessex Water local charities and improve our services in the area. community

Animal therapy sessionsSomerset reduce social isolation EAQ Manor Farm is an outdoor and equine-assisted learning centre located in the Somerset countryside. The charity has been working with a wide range of children and adults who have been experiencing social isolation and exclusion. With the help of our funding, as well as support from a number of other organisations, the charity was able to hold virtual and in-person therapy sessions to ease the impact of lockdown on its members. The sessions, which involved interacting with horses, enabled those who were struggling to improve their confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Explore your area - Clatworthy Reservoir Set in the Brendon Hills, Clatworthy reservoir isn’t short of things to do, whether you’re a keen angler or looking for somewhere to go for a walk. With the array of wildlife the scenic reservoir has to offer, walking around it you can come across a range of rare wildflowers, birds and butterflies. You can even fish from a boat while you relax and enjoy the view! Do you need a helping hand? Last year, 90 Wessex Water volunteers Funding supports essential education programme spent around 500 hours taking part in Water refill points near you Refurbishment work in Bridgwater Based in the heart of Somerset, Ups and Downs volunteering activities in Somerset, We’ve been working with local councils to install refill Throughout the year, we have been carrying out Southwest is a charity that supports children and young helping to support schools, wildlife points throughout the area we serve to keep people essential refurbishment work at our abstraction people with Down’s Syndrome. The coronavirus centres and other community groups. If hydrated and reduce the use of single-use plastics. site on Albert Street in Bridgwater. The work is pandemic led to the charity’s workers having concerns you know of a local project or organisation We will be installing refill points in Taunton and at our being done to ensure we continue to deliver high- about the education, employment, housing and mental that could benefit from some help from Clatworthy and Sutton Bingham reservoirs soon. quality water to our customers while minimising health of the families and young people they work with. our volunteers, get in contact at Download the Refill app to find water refill points our potential impact on the surrounding Funding enabled Ups and Downs Southwest to expand [email protected] near you www.refill.org.uk environment. and improve its education programme, which has provided vital support to young people in the area. Stay up to date with what’s happening in your area by signing up to our email newsletter at wessexwater.co.uk/sign-up

Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community

16 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 17 In As part of our initiative to better Explore your area - Caen support the communities we serve, your area we’ve been working with local Hill Locks Wessex Water charities, improving water and Walking along the Kennet and sewerage services and installing Avon Canal between Rowde and community water refill points. Find out more Devizes will see you come across the famous Caen Hill about what we’ve been up to Locks. The 29 locks were built so across Wiltshire. that boats could climb and Wiltshire descend the steep hill. Visit the 200-year-old locks while also

Virtual counselling sessions provide vital support taking in the array of wildlife Based in Trowbridge, Help Counselling Service is a charity present along the canal. that provides affordable therapy to hundreds of people every year in west and north Wiltshire. When the coronavirus pandemic began, the charity saw its caseload Improving water supply start to increase. We contributed to a grant which was provided to the charity to help fund training sessions for its in East Knoyle counsellors. As face-to-face counselling sessions were no Earlier in the year, we longer possible, the training taught them how to provide replaced more than 1,000 support through online and phone sessions. metres of old pipework and connected over 100 homes to a new water main, in East Do you need a helping hand? Financial advice made available to people in Knoyle. Using innovative pipe bursting and open cut In 2019, more than 150 Wiltshire techniques, we were able to Wessex Water volunteers spent The Swan Advocacy Network has been provided with install the main, which will around 1,000 hours taking funding to set up a Community Money Advice service in provide a large number of part in volunteering activities South Wiltshire. The new service aims to support those people in the village with a in Wiltshire, helping to who may be experiencing financial hardship during the more reliable supply for the maintain nature reserves and coronavirus pandemic. The charity recognises this is a future. support local charities. If time when incomes may start to decline due to job loss you know of a project or and furlough coming to an end. To support these organisation that could people, the charity is offering debt and personal benefit from some budgeting advice, while also acting as a money mentor help from our volunteers, to anyone who needs support. get in contact at [email protected]

Water refill points near you We’ve been working with local councils to install refill points throughout the area we serve to keep people hydrated and reduce the use of single-use plastics. We have installed them in Salisbury, Trowbridge, and Devizes, with another set to be installed in Melksham soon. Download the Refill app to find water refill points near you www.refill.org.uk Stay up to date with what’s happening in your area by signing up to our email newsletter at wessexwater.co.uk/sign-up

Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community

18 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 19 In your area Wessex Water Bristol, BANES, Noh Somerset community and Sou Glouctershire From providing vital funding to carrying out essential work, we’ve been lending a helping hand to the communities that need our support in Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Read about what we’ve been doing to support local people and charities.

Activity packs for isolated families in North Somerset Based in Weston-super-Mare, Our Way Our Say is a charity that holds activity sessions for people of all ages. Lockdown prevented the charity from holding these sessions which meant it had to come up with new ways to support its members. With the help of funding, the charity was able to produce and distribute activity packs to isolated families with children. The packs made a real difference to kids in the area, with one child saying they were like a “weekly birthday present”.

Walking programme benefits families across Bath Explore your area - The Royal Crescent Improving sewerage services in North Bristol Funding helped Sporting Family Change to implement a regular walking programme throughout summer to improve the wellbeing Built between 1767 and 1775, The Royal Since 2019, we’ve been of families in Twerton, Whiteway, Odd Down and Foxhill. When the Crescent is one of the most famous pieces of constructing a 6.5km coronavirus pandemic began, the charity recognised it had to architecture in Bath. The 500-foot crescent, pipeline to connect adapt its work in order to provide continued support to local consisting of 30 terraced houses, makes for Bristol’s existing trunk families, particularly those who had become isolated due to great viewing – even during the winter sewer in Lawrence Weston lockdown. The charity’s walking programme enabled local people months. You can also walk along the stunning to the Frome Valley relief to get outdoors and take part in physical activity safely. lawn outside the iconic landmark which sewer near Cribbs overlooks Royal Victoria Park. Causeway. The pipeline will direct waste water more efficiently around Do you need a helping hand? Water refill points near you North Bristol to our water recycling centre in To keep people hydrated and reduce the use Last year, almost 150 Wessex Water volunteers Avonmouth, which will of single-use plastics, we’ve been working spent around 1,000 hours taking part in ensure our systems can with local councils to install refill points volunteering activities in and around Bath and cope with future throughout the area we serve. We will be Bristol, helping to support community farms, development in North Bristol and South Gloucestershire. youth centres and more. If you know of a local installing a number of them in Bath soon – project or organisation that could benefit from keep an eye out for them if you live in or some help from our volunteers, get in contact at regularly visit the area. Download the Refill Stay up to date with what’s happening in your [email protected] app to find water refill points near you area by signing up to our email newsletter at www.refill.org.uk wessexwater.co.uk/sign-up

Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community Find out more about what’s happening in your area at wessexwater.co.uk/community

20 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 21 Find out how much water you use, pick up FREE water saving devices and earn money for charity.

Have you ever wondered just how much water you use every day?

Without information about how you use water – by each fixture and appliance – it’s really hard to know. All about your bill That’s where GetWaterFit comes in handy. It’s an easy-to-use online calculator which helps you understand how much hot and cold water you use. With people spending more time at home, many households are using Within a few minutes you can create a personalised dashboard which gives you tips on more water than they normally would. how to save water and energy around your home. lushing the toilet more often, washing dishes and even How does it work? using the washing machine What should you do? • Build a picture of your water use through more frequently is resulting in F simple-to-answer questions. some people’s water usage Take your own meter reading • Order free water saving devices suitable increasing. If you are able to provide us with the most up to date meter for your home. If you’re on a water meter, it means reading we can ensure your bill is up to date and we can • Set yourself water-saving challenges. you could see an increase in your get in touch to adjust your payment arrangements. This bill – despite the fact Wessex Water will help ensure that regular payments you make will cover Every completed challenge adds up to a lowered the average bill this year your bill. Visit: wessexwater.co.uk/meter huge amount of water saved across our for customers. region, which helps support the local Director of customer services Consider reducing your water use Oliver Jerrome explained: “With environment. If you have a water meter, reducing how much water you more people at home, water bills use will help lower your bill. Through our online calculator And in return you can earn virtual coins for customers on a meter, are likely to go up. People may also see an Get Water Fit you can identify where you use most water in which you can donate to one of six increase in their energy bill too. your home and request free water saving devices – see charities. “Earlier in the year, we saw water opposite. Start saving today at consumption also increase due to www.wessexwater.co.uk/getwaterfit garden watering and paddling pool Struggling to pay? use during the prolonged dry spell. For customers struggling to afford their water bill, there’s “We want to ensure people prepare help available through our affordability schemes – see themselves for their next bill, pages 8-9. We can also help if you have a loss of income as Win a Bosch washing machine which may be slightly higher than a direct result of Covid-19 – see back page. expected due to the increase in Have the chance to win a Bosch washing machine in white – with a 9kg capacity and an water used.” A+++ efficiency rating it will help you save water and energy. To enter set up your free Talk to us Customers on a water meter GetWaterFit dashboard before 31 January 2021 by visiting normally receive two bills a year as If you’d rather speak to a friendly member of our billing www.wessexwater.co.uk/getwaterfit Wessex Water normally read their team, please call us on 0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday, Open to supply customers only. For terms and conditions visit meter every six months, as long as 8am to 6pm; Saturday, 8am to 2pm). www.wessexwater.co.uk/washingmachinecompetition it’s accessible.

22 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 23 Taking steps to prepare our homes for winter is always a good idea, but how does Wessex Water prepare for the colder, wetter Think oil tank months?

e provide essential services that can’t any households may have already had oil Oftec believes most oil tanks have a maximum stop just because the weather is bad. delivered for the winter to keep their homes working life of around 15 years and when it comes to W M warm as temperatures fall. replacing an oil tank, those that are bunded provide In the run-up to winter, preparations better protection. get underway so we can cope with potentially But few are probably aware of the immense damage long periods of heavy rain and plummeting to the environment and risk to water sources should temperatures. To help us plan as far ahead as their oil tank or pipework leak. possible we receive specialist weather For households who use heating oil, ensuring oil forecasting from the Met Office.

tanks and pipework are in good working order is Useful oil tank tips We have robust plans and plenty of experience to help us Wet, wet wet crucial. Leaking tanks or pipework means oil can end • Check oil tank and associated pipework is in manage issues and incidents. We have teams from all over It’s not just cold weather that can be challenging. Intense up in drains and leach into the soil, leading to the good condition. the company on standby ready to spring into action 24/7 – pollution of rivers, streams and lakes. It can also be and we have a fleet of 4x4 vehicles that we can deploy to storms can put immense pressure on the sewerage network. extremely costly and disruptive to clean up and • Get it inspected annually by a qualified help get our teams out to issues in some of our more remote Our priority is to prevent any sewage flooding, but that can involves contaminated land being dug up or buildings engineer. areas. We were one of the few water companies that was sometimes occur when items such as wet wipes stop waste able to maintain water supplies during the infamous Beast water flowing freely through pipes. demolished. • Contact your home insurance company to A from the East in 2018. There’s ongoing maintenance every day to keep sewers Protecting you and your home clarify they are aware that you have an oil tank and your policy covers all possible risks Burst mains and leaks can be caused and exacerbated by cold clear, but we do ask customers not to pour fat, oil and grease If you store oil it’s important that you play your part related to the oil tank. weather, but our focus on leakage happens year round. We’re down the sink and only flush the three Ps – pee, poo and paper. in preventing oil leaks – by keeping your tank and always out looking for leaks, and we’ve been working harder • Ensure the tank is locked and secure from pipework in good condition. than ever to find them – you may have spotted our teams out As well as constantly monitoring our own network, we also theft. and about where you live. It’s worth checking for leaks in welcome customers getting in touch to let us know if It’s also important to know your legal obligations and • Check the tank is located away from water your home too, as a significant amount of water is lost on something doesn’t look right. So if you see anything unusual your insurance company’s requirements. You, or your sources (eg, ditches, soakaways, groundwater, private customer supply pipes and through internal plumbing or even a potential pollution incident, please call us insurer, will be held responsible for the effects and – see page 6. streams, rivers, lakes), to minimise the immediately on 0345 600 4 600. cost of any oil that spills from your tank. possibility of contamination in the event of a leak. Arranging for an Oftec-registered technician to undertake a risk assessment is recommended. And Be a leak or pollution spotter

fitting a tank level monitor that alerts you when the You can help us this winter by being a leak spotter. Please report any leaks to us so we can tank is getting low is worth considering as it might quickly fix them. Report leaks online at: wessexwater.co.uk/report-a-problem help you identify when there is a leak. If you spot a pollution please call us immediately on 0345 600 4 600.

24 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 25 We caught up with our education advisers, Sue, Gillian, Meghan and “Educating people about water, waste Tim, who have been busy this summer creating educational and how to care for the environment” resources and preparing to run virtual lessons. The learning “We’re also now offering site tours at never stops! four of our education Discover our online objectives. To help with lesson Tim, our education adviser in Dorset, centres where we planning we’ve also created an array added: “We are also looking to expand of KS1 and KS2 resources and videos our resources to ensure they are resources t’s true when they say learning is have social distancing that parents, teachers and children relevant to the latest curriculums at can download for free,” explains schools. These resources will cover a a never-ending journey, and this The team can support your learning Meghan. range of topics, such as climate year has been an example of that. and extra measures in goals virtually as well – either through I change, flood alleviation and an online workshop at your school or “We have produced science We learnt how to make banana bread, biodiversity. Additionally, we are busy place, so check online college, or even in the comfort of your investigations, fact files, joke poo became video conferencing experts making KS3 and KS4 resources.” and many of us also adapted to home living room. recipes, information about the water to book a visit.” cycle and , plus learning of children. “Our service is all about designing an loads more.” Our education advisers have also education programme that ties in been working on ways to develop our with teaching plans and class free education service and adapt it to Hands-on learning outdoor education sessions to teach the ‘new normal’ as children get back children about the importance of to the classrooms. We first launched our education saving water and only flushing poo, “We know that 2020 has been a service back in 1996 and have been paper and pee. evolving it ever since. We now have difficult time for everyone in the “We’re also now offering site tours at eight education centres located education sector, and ever since the four of our education centres where around our region where schools and UK went into lockdown we’ve been we have social distancing and extra community groups can visit us for a putting a great amount of time and measures in place, so check online to hands-on learning experience, where effort into creating our new online book a visit.” resources to help support learning you can see how we supply drinking from home and in the classroom,” water and treat sewage so it can be “We are also available for outside explains Gillian, one of the four safely returned to the environment. school assemblies, small group sessions or even a fun interactive education advisers we have in our Education adviser Sue added: “There’s session in your playground. We’re region. nothing better than getting close to making sure we are following the the natural world, so this summer “Education has always been a core latest government advice to ensure we’ve been working in partnership part of who we are as a business, so it the safety of all.” was important we continue to help with local wildlife trusts to hold Our education team are ready to assist educate people on water, waste and in a range of online and offline learning. how they can care for the environment.”

Book a free visit You can download our free education resources and register your interest 26 Wessex Water Magazine in a free visit or future site tour by visiting wessexwater.co.uk/education Wessex Water Magazine 27 Have yourself an Supporting eco-friendly Christmas stronger hristmas is right around the corner and finding the communities C perfect gifts for your friends and family can prove to be a difficult task. If you’re struggling to choose, here is a range of eople hit hardest by the Covid-19 suffering the consequences of poverty said: “We at UKCF would like to thank crisis were the first to benefit from through low income or unemployment. Wessex Water Foundation for all their help sustainable products that would make great stocking the new Wessex Water Foundation with the emergency coronavirus appeal. P Wessex Water Foundation will also fillers for your loved ones. launched in June this year. continue to support local environmental “It is great to see the Community The Wessex Water Foundation is a projects, encouraging communities to look Foundations in the Wessex region come 1. A reusable face mask gift basket for a friend or family dedicated funding scheme for community at ways they can protect and engage with together and work so successfully with Masks are being worn when member – you could even add projects across the Wessex Water region, their local environment. one of our key employers. The Wiltshire, run in partnership with the Somerset, Somerset, Dorset and Quartet foundations performing a number of day-to- in some organic shampoo and Wessex Water chief executive Colin Wiltshire, Dorset and Quartet Community are working hard to distribute the funding day tasks to protect yourself and soap or a bamboo toothbrush. Skellett said: “We’re thrilled to be able to Foundations. provided by the Wessex Water Foundation others. This has led to disposable launch the Wessex Water Foundation to those most affected by Covid-19. ones increasingly washing up on 4. Reusable straws As lockdown got underway, region-wide alongside our friends in the community shorelines and causing harm to In the UK, an estimated emergency funding was awarded to foundations in our patch. “It’s wonderful to see such a great groups on the frontline, from local partnership helping those in need at this wildlife. A reusable face “Being at the heart of the communities we 8.5 million straws are thrown volunteer groups to foodbanks. To support challenging time.” covering could make a great serve is nothing new for us, but the away every year, creating a communities now responding to the Wessex Water Foundation is a new way of For nearly three decades Wessex Water gift for someone who has been huge amount of plastic waste. challenging social and economic situation making sure we’re helping the people who has been working with the wider using single-use versions! If you know someone who uses the Wessex Water Recovery Fund has need it most. community to help local causes and them constantly, gift them a opened for local applications, helping to projects, both through volunteering and build resilience for the future. “It’s been an incredibly tough time for 2. A refillable water bottle pack of reusable straws. You various funding projects. everyone in our region and supporting A refillable bottle is a simple, yet can get them in metal, glass And from 2021 the Wessex Water emergency coronavirus projects is a fitting To find out more about the Wessex Water very practical gift – everyone silicone and bamboo from most Foundation will provide at least half a place to start.” Foundation visit could do with one in their eco-friendly shops. million pounds of funding every year to wessexwater.co.uk/funding cupboard. Using a refillable support community projects, debt advice Rosemary Macdonald, chief executive bottle can prevent the use of 5. Eco-friendly projects and charities dealing with those officer of UK Community Foundations, more than 100 disposable plastic gift-wrapping tips bottles every year, reducing the An extra 30% of rubbish is number that end up in landfill produced during the festive Wessex Water Recovery fund and the ocean. There are loads period. Follow our gift-wrapping to choose from, so you can get tips to help create less waste this Applications for the Wessex Water Recovery Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of community one that is just right for the Christmas: Fund opened on 5 October for the four engagement, said: “For this year only, as a response to the person you’re shopping for. • reuse old wrapping paper Community Foundation partners. challenges faced by local communities, the recovery fund has been set up to provide support that will both address and gift bags – don’t throw The Wessex Water Recovery Fund aims to strengthen priority needs and help build resilience for the future. 3. Eco-friendly toiletries them away communities following the Covid-19 outbreak, with an A lot of the items people use in • wrap gifts with recycled emphasis on local rather than national projects. “Applications for the fund will open with our four regional the bathroom are single use, but Community Foundation partners from Monday 5 October. brown paper or old It is run in partnership with the Somerset, Wiltshire, We particularly welcome applications from BAME groups. there is actually a range of newspapers Dorset and Quartet Community Foundations and has “The fund will close on 4 December with decisions made reusable alternatives available. • use eco-friendly paper tape already been prioritising those worst affected by the at local community panels in January 2021.” Reusable face pads can be instead of sticky plastic tape coronavirus pandemic. Particular priority will be given to used instead of makeup wipes • wrap presents in a shirt or those groups that are working to: and toilet paper spray can scarf which can act as a • support people in financially difficult circumstances Visit wessexwater.co.uk/funding prevent the need for wet wipes. bonus gift. • help build stronger communities to find the link for your area and how to Create an eco-friendly toiletries • support the green recovery with new initiatives • restore and protect nature and wildlife for community apply. health and wellbeing.

28 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 29 Investing in the future Create a wildlife- friendly garden this winter

Weakened shelters, dwindling food very year we welcome a new Water also hosts placements for Our apprenticeships are open to group of apprentices and university students, and offers everyone – no matter your previous supplies and frozen ponds are the university placement students technical apprenticeships and qualifications or age. So, if you’ve harsh realities many creatures have to to our company, and this year courses to existing colleagues. got enthusiasm and desire to learn, face when temperatures begin to is no exception. we’d love to hear from you.” E Our apprenticeship programme will plummet. Back in September we welcomed soon be reopening for applications – Giving a kickstart A lack of food and shelter can leave our latest new recruits who have with a planned start date of We’re really proud to be part of the animals and insects cold and hungry taken on a range of apprenticeships throughout winter, unless action is and filled a variety of placement government’s ‘plan for jobs’ and roles. offering placements through the taken to prepare for the cold weather. Kickstart Scheme. We’ll be working Becca Thurston, early careers with agencies to identify local Follow our top tips to make sure your manager, said: “As a company, we people aged 16-25 who are garden is wildlife friendly this winter: see our community as our wider currently on Universal Credit and at family - and supporting people in risk of long-term unemployment. those communities is one of our top We’ll be offering 40 young people priorities. six month paid placements. Let your garden go Feed your visitors Maintain your pond Grow winter- wild Cold weather can cause Does your garden pond flowering plants “I think we all know that this year New careers webpage Don’t cut your bushes, trees food supplies to become freeze over during winter? If Pollen and nectar are has been especially tough for lots of September 2021. If you or someone scarce. You could set up a so, gasses can build up and If you’re interested in a career at or plants, and leave fallen essential foods for a range people, and that’s why we’ve you know is interested in joining bird feeder, filled with nuts, harm the fish and frogs Wessex Water, take a look at our leaves and twigs on your of insects, including bees remained committed to our promise team Wessex Water please contact garden floor. An overgrown seeds and berries, to make living there. Allow these and butterflies. However, new careers webpage. You’ll find to keep recruiting apprentices and our friendly early careers team patch in your garden can sure your feathered friends gasses to escape by melting these plants are often in the latest opportunities as well as investing in our people. [email protected] to provide much-needed don’t go hungry. Leaving out a hole into a section of your short supply during the stories from staff and information pots of food and water will pond using a hot saucepan. “This year we’re so proud to be register your interest. shelter and food for animals colder months. You can give about our varied roles and and insects. You could take help to keep other visitors, Don’t smash the ice or pour a number of insects the taking on 25 brand new apprentices, Becca adds: “We currently have 24 departments. this a step further by such as hedgehogs, fed and boiling water on to it as this chance of living through bringing our total for the last different types of apprenticeships wessexwater.co.uk/careers collecting fallen leaves and hydrated too. Fill the pots could harm the wildlife too. winter by planting one or 10 years to 330.” running. We like to think we have branches or even building a with hedgehog food, You may be able to avoid a two winter-flowering nectar As well as taking on brand new something to offer for everyone! shelter for small animals leftover meat or tinned dog frozen pond by putting a and pollen-rich plants in apprentices, every year Wessex and insects. or cat food. tennis ball in it – the ball’s your garden, such as movement can prevent ice primrose, aconite, oregon from forming. grape, willow and evergreen clematis.

30 Wessex Water Magazine Wessex Water Magazine 31 Support for you… during challenging times Are you worried about being able to pay your water bill due to Covid-19?

We’re here to help.

If you have a loss of income directly due to Covid-19 our Assist scheme is available for you during these challenging times.

We can lower your water bill based on your ability to pay until you’re back on track.

For more information and to apply for free, visit wessexwater.co.uk/helptopay or call our friendly team on 0345 600 3 600 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm).