Skanska Delivers Anglian Water’s First Constructed Treatment Wetland at Everton WRC

Skanska has completed Anglian Water’s first integrated constructed treatment wetland at the Everton Water Recycling Centre (WRC) in Bedfordshire, a nature-based facility designed to reduce phosphorus and iron in treated wastewater without chemical dosing.

The three-cell wetland, built on 18,320m² of land – roughly two and a half football pitches – serves about 600 people and discharges to the River Ivel. Wastewater is diverted from the existing outfall pipeline and passes through the planted wetland by gravity before re-entering the treatment works for final discharge. The system is intended to meet stricter phosphorus and iron limits under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

Construction was delivered through the @one Alliance, with Skanska as principal contractor. Partners include Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, Mott MacDonald Bentley, MWH Treatment, Sweco, and Anglian Water. Over six months, crews excavated the wetland basins and planted more than 110,000 native species, including emergent plants such as lesser pond sedge, reed sweet grass, and yellow flag iris, alongside marginal species including water mint, purple loosestrife, and marsh marigold. The vegetation improves water quality through natural uptake and sedimentation while providing habitat for local wildlife.

The scheme also reduces operational carbon by eliminating the need for iron dosing chemicals, cutting lorry movements, and lowering whole-life costs. Balanced earthworks meant no import or export of material was required during construction, resulting in an 84% reduction in construction-phase carbon emissions, from 654tCO₂e to 104tCO₂e. The wetland is expected to be fully established by spring 2027 and remain effective for 30–50 years.

The project required several years of land acquisition, planning approvals, and close coordination with regulators and local authorities. Despite early challenges, construction ran smoothly, and the site has already drawn international attention, including visits from the Mexican Embassy and local MP Richard Fuller.

Everton is the first installation in Anglian Water’s £37M wetland programme, which aims to deliver similar nature-based treatment at other sites during the current regulatory period (AMP8).

Mark Williams, Skanska senior project manager for Everton WRC, said:"Negating the need for chemicals and vastly reducing vehicle movements and concrete is a real plus for the environment. Locals are already commenting on increased wildlife, with more deer and birds visiting the area. Everton shows what’s possible when we put sustainability at the heart of design – this wetland sets a new benchmark for the future."

The Everton scheme adds to a growing number of nature-based wastewater projects in the UK, as water companies seek to meet tighter environmental standards while reducing carbon and operational costs.