Middlesex Filter Beds as an area of semi-natural habitats is a rare resource west of the River Lea in East London. In 1852, three years after London’s worst Cholera outbreak and the consequent demand for cleaner, safer water, the East London WaterWorks Company constructed the six Middlesex Filter Beds in order to provide the surrounding areas with purified water, in later years these were augmented by another 19, seven of which are now the WaterWorks Nature Reserve; formerly Essex Filter Beds. In 1969, after over 100 years in operation, the Middlesex Filter Beds had become outdated and were replaced by the new Coppermills Water Treatment Works located in Walthamstow. Thames Water became responsible for the beds in 1974 but nature had already taken over and plants as well as other wildlife, had begun to colonise the abandoned site.
The site has been leased to the Regional Park since 1988. Each disused filter bed is managed so as to provide a variety of habitats for wildlife including open water, reed beds and wet woodland. Altogether, over 60 different species of bird have been recorded including Snipe, Reed Warblers and Sparrowhawk. The wetland areas are ideal for amphibians such as toads, frogs and newts all of which breed here. A variety of damselflies and dragonflies are also common throughout the summer months. The filter beds are an important part of our industrial heritage and future plans include a possible submission for a heritage award.
The value of the Middlesex Filter Beds for wildlife is outstanding and is increased by the nearness of other important Open Spaces such as Walthamstow Marsh and the adjacent WaterWorks Nature Reserve.
There are two great pieces of artwork to be seen at the Filter Beds. Kate Malone’s ceramic ‘Magic Fish’ and the infamous ‘Nature’s Throne’ by Paula Haughney, which was made using huge granite blocks retrieved from the foundations of one of the old Engine Houses.
Current News
The beds would usually be flooded at this time of the year. However, due to some damage to our pump system we are, at present, unable to do so. This problem is currently being dealt with and the beds will be flooded as soon as possible.
Site Works
The tree works have now been completed on site. Some trees have been pollarded or removed for Health & Safety reasons as well as to help preserve the filter beds themselves.
Thames Water is currently carrying out two separate projects which involve some disturbance to the site. Some pipes are being relined whereas others are having new connections made in order to increase water flow to the Olympic site.
User Forum
The Filter Beds and Walthamstow Marshes User Forum meets about four times a year. These meetings are open to all users, so please come along if you are interested in what’s going on or would like to have your say. Meetings are held at the WaterWorks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre at 18:30 and last for two hours. Tea and coffee is available during the meetings.
The last meeting was held on Tuesday 6th September 2011. The the next meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th November 2011.