A NEW £8.7 million environmental wetland project in Cowdenbeath is now complete and promises to be a boost for wildlife in the area.

Located to the south of Cowdenbeath Golf Course and shielded by a row of trees, the new wetland, constructed by Scottish Water, will naturally treat storm waters from two separate overflow pipes and then pass the treated water into the Lochgelly Burn.

The wetland will provide an ideal habitat for birds, insects and amphibians and, in time, will become a mini eco system and add to the diversity of wildlife in the area.

Pupils from Cowdenbeath Primary School took part in a competition to create a piece of art inspired by the wetland habitat and Scottish Water thanked the school by donating two large bird feeders for the playground.

Pupils and parents visited the wetland and unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening and their visit.

Deputy headteacher, Karyn Rennie, said, “This was a great opportunity for the pupils to take part in a project that raises their awareness of the local environment and to exercise their art skills.

“The class visit to the site was fascinating for adults and children alike and shows the work that goes on behind the scenes to protect Cowdenbeath’s natural environment.” Eddie Burns, project manager for Scottish Water, said, “The sewer overflows at two locations – the Cowdenbeath storm water works near Cowdenbeath Golf Course, and Selkirk Avenue – needed to be upgraded so they could continue to comply with modern environmental specifications.

“We are committed to finding the best solution for the local environment, and diverting the sewer overflows to a natural waste water treatment system proved to be the preferred option.

“Our solution is actually three separate projects. The first is to construct the wetland, another project to install a screen and a 1.2km transfer sewer from Selkirk Avenue. “And finally we have upgraded the pumping stations and storm tanks near the wetland which previously transferred the storm waters.” He added, “The project involved the construction of a specialised wetland and reed bed system that removes solids and forces oxygen into the waters, thus enabling it to reach a standard where it meets SEPA requirements for us to pass the flows into the Lochgelly burn.

“The result is a sustainable, low-carbon answer to a complex waste water management issue. The wetland is flexible in that we can alter how it treats the water depending on the flow, so in times of high flow the complex aeration system kicks in but otherwise it remains off and saves energy.” The wetland system can treat 230,000m3 a year, the equivalent of around 100 Olympic swimming pools.

The waste water comes from around 11,000 customers in the Cowdenbeath area.