South West Water kicks off peat restoration project

South West Water has started a large-scale project to restore damaged and degraded peatland at its Burrator Reservoir.

The project is being carried out by the South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP). It will develop a range of interventions introduced at the  83ha site to slow down the flow of water and create the right conditions for peat to form once again.

The peatland at Burrator has been damaged by past interventions including peat cuttings, tin-streaming and military activities, which has impacted its ability to store water.

Techniques being used by SWPP at Burrator include creating dams to block gullies and stop water draining from the land, and using willow to slow the flow of water, create wildlife habitat and reduce further peat erosion.

The work has been funded by South West Water and Natural England’s Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

The SWPP is a £13m project delivering peatland restoration in the South West of England. It is a collaboration between South West Water, local and regional government agencies, non-governmental organisations, businesses, landowners and farmers.

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