Timetable for investments to improve the bathing water quality at Sheep’s Green
Here is our understanding of the current timetable for improvements to the Sewage infrastructure in the Haslingfield area, based on our regular meetings with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water
This investment programme is aiming to improve the water quality from “Poor” to at least “Satisfactory”. It is a direct result of having achieved Designated Bathing Water status for the Cam at Sheep’s Green in May 2024
May 2024-Nov 2024. Bathing Water designation, initial monitoring and classification.
The Environment Agency started monitoring Sheep’s Green for E.coli, resulting (as we expected) in a classification of the Bathing water Quality as “Poor”. This then triggered the requirement for work to improve it.
May 2025-April 2027. Investigations and Source apportionment study
Anglian Water and the Environment Agency are currently carrying out a major investigation into the causes of the poor bathing water quality. This is a major programme of work, for which Anglian Water have budgeted around £500K. Anglian Water are investigating the contribution from their assets (sewage works, pipes, pumping stations etc), while the Environment Agency is also investigating other potential causes, such as from agriculture. Both have put sensors (data sondes) in the river at various points, which are monitoring the state of the river 24/7 (we analyse some of the results here). The Environment Agency is also continuing to monitor E.coli at Sheep’s Green, weekly during the bathing seasons, and monthly during the rest of the year. (Our commentary on the results from 2024 and 2025 is available here)
We are also contributing our local expertise and data. In particular we’re concerned about the impact of the unusually high turbidity in the Rhee and Cam (which reduces the natural degradation rate of bacteria by sunlight)
30 April 2027 The “obligation date” for Anglian Water to provide the Environment Agency with a report on results of their investigations into the causes of the poor bathing water quality.
We are calling for the Environment Agency to make this public, once they have received it in April 2027
30 April 2028 The “obligation date” for Anglian Water have to have completed the improvements to Haslingfield sewage works “identified through the investigation”, including the reduction of storm overflows. We know they are expecting to install significantly bigger storm overflow tanks, but may include other measures too.
Reducing overflows should help significantly, because we are told the area has a problem with ingress of ground water. Currently Haslingfield Sewage Works is overflowing around 25% of the time
31 March 2030. The “obligation date” for completion of improved phosphate removal at Haslingfield Sewage works. This is not required for bathing water, but very beneficial for the health of the river.
2030-2035. Completion of other measures. If (as we hope) the study recommends major improvements such as UV treatment, we are told it may not be possible to complete this before 2030, so it would be done during the AMP9 “Asset Management Plan” budget period (which is 2030-2035) Anglian Water tell us they have budgeted up to £30M for improvements
When will see see improved Bathing Water Quality?
When the improvements are implemented, we hope to see the levels of E.coli improve quite rapidly, particularly in wetter weather. However, as the formal classification is based on the previous 4 years classifications, we are warned that it may take some time before the formal classification improves from “Poor” to at least “Satisfactory”