This Invasive Non-Native Species Week, Anglian Water is encouraging wildlife enthusiasts across its region to be on the lookout for harmful invasive non-native species in the great outdoors.

More than 2,000 non-native plants and animals have been introduced to Britain by increased levels of travel and ecological events such as floods, storms and fires. Although most of these non-native species are harmless, around 10-15% of them are considered “invasive” because they have an adverse impact on our natural environment and native wildlife. Invasive non-native species can even negatively impact human health when not managed effectively.

Dealing with invasive species forms an integral part of Anglian Water’s Get River Positive programme, launched in 2022 in partnership with neighbours Severn Trent Water. The plan includes five pledges to transform river water quality across their regions and demonstrates a clear and actionable response to calls for a revival of rivers in England. Work to manage and eradicate invasive non-native species is key to enhancing river health, particularly the programme’s commitments to support others to improve and care for rivers, and to enhance the East of England’s rivers and create new habitats so wildlife can thrive.

Emily Dimsey, Biodiversity Manager for Anglian Water, said, “Invasive non-native species are a threat to the region’s environment, the economy and to us at Anglian Water, so we’re supporting projects around the region that are tackling this important problem.”

Projects supported or carried out by Anglian Water to manage invasive non-native species include:

• A catchment-wide initiative by the East Mercia Rivers Trust, funded by the Anglian Water Invasive Non-native Species Fund. Funding went towards training volunteers to control invasive Himalayan balsam (impatiens gladulifera) on the Rivers Welland and Witham in Lincolnshire. When not properly managed, Himalayan balsam can increase flood risk and cause river bank erosion
• Work by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, funded by the Anglian Water Invasive Non-native Species Fund, to control the spread of Water fern (Azolla filiculoides) in the dyke systems at Trimley Marshes. Without intervention, Water fern can form a dense blanket over watercourses, blocking out light, preventing photosynthesis and starving native biodiversity of oxygen
• Work to control floating pennywort (hydrocotyle ranunculoides) on the River Great Ouse, which can cause deoxygenation in rivers, threatening native species and fish populations
• Work to control Japanese knotweed on Anglian Water’s estate, which through its root system can cause damage by cracking rock, concrete and tarmac on operational  sites
• Work to control Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) on Anglian Water’s estate, which can outcompete native plants. Its sap can also cause severe skin blistering in direct sunlight and negatively impact Anglian Water staff’s day to day operations, such as collection of monitoring data

Anglian Water is encouraging its customers and visitors in the East of England to help protect the region’s natural environment from invasive non-native species, with three easy steps:

1. Check, Clean, Dry. One of the most important preventative measures starts when you leave the water. You can help protect the water sports you love by checking your equipment and clothing for live organism; cleaning all equipment, footwear and clothing thoroughly; and drying all equipment and clothing.
2. Be Plant Wise. The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat’s helpful top tips for gardeners include knowing what you’re growing; stopping the spread of invasive species by keeping plants confined to your garden; and composting with care. Read more on their website here.
3. Report invasive species correctly. The digital age has made it easier than ever to report non-native species when you’re out and about. Visit iRecord to alert experts to the presence of invasive species – and don’t forget to attach a photo!

To learn more about invasive non-native species and how Anglian Water manages them, read a blog from Biodiversity Manager Emily Dimsey here.