Every spring and summer algae blooms and can cause blockages within our water treatment works.

They spring up dramatically, in the space of 24 hours, and can severely reduce water works' output by clogging up key pieces of kit used to clean and treat river water to drinking standards. Removing the algae requires costly chemical treatment.

In a bid to win the war against algal blooms, we have created booms - floating reed beds. 

It is hoped that the booms will stop the algae in its tracks, both at water level and beneath, by introducing microscopic animals that feed on it, like plankton.

The booms will also provide habitats for birds and other wildlife.