In the Wyre Forest, the Elan Valley Aqueduct cuts a wide swathe through the ancient woodland SSSI. Closely-mown for operational purposes, the 'pipetrack' has become highly important for a variety of rare and endangered butterflies and moths, as well as adders and lizards.

A scheme to lay a new water mains along the side of the pipetrack, to provide additional drinking water to rural Shropshire, would have had severe consequences for this vulnerable wildlife, had Severn Trent Water not engaged with key stakeholders at an early stage. Following extensive consultation and research, Severn Trent Water was able to settle on a route that avoided the most sensitive areas, and also provided opportunities for habitat enhancements.

In 2006/07 Severn Trent Water made good progress on projects relating to two priority species listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP): black grouse and water voles.

Since 2003, Severn Trent has worked with the National Trust and the Peak District National Park Authority on a project to re-establish a sustainable population of black grouse in the Upper Derwent Valley. In the early years of the project, problems like avian predation and the birds dispersing hampered breeding success. However, in 2006, three captive-bred females raised broods in the wild and twenty males were vigorously lekking at five sites. Measures like setting release dates later than in previous years contributed to the good results achieved in 2006. Water vole have suffered a population crash in the UK in recent years, and Severn Trent Water is supporting projects to reintroduce or support them. For example, near Severn Trent Water's Netheridge sewage works is an important nature reserve, which was identified as an ideal site for reintroducing water voles.

In August 2005, sixty baby voles were released at the site, some of them into specially constructed release cages partially buried into the ditch walls/pond edges, and some directly into the water. Ten per cent of the animals were fitted with radio tags, making it easier to study the movements and survival of individual voles around the site. Monitoring carried out during 2006 was very encouraging. There is evidence that the voles have spread throughout the nature reserve and out into the surrounding countryside.

There are also signs that the water vole population is increasing at Carsington Water, where rangers have constructed 20 small ponds around the main reservoir. These ponds provide an ideal habitat for the voles, allowing them to breed safely without threats from predators like mink and pike.

Aren't Birds Brilliant! at Carsington Water is a new partnership project between Severn Trent Water and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

The idea of the project is to show visitors to Carsington the fantastic array of wildlife on site, educate them about conservation and habitat management, and inspire them to take an interest in wildlife. It also aims to help the RSPB raise awareness of its work and attract new funding and members.

As part of the project, telescopes have been set up in the Wildlife Centre at Carsington, to help staff and volunteers at the centre engage with visitors and show them the birds and wildlife on site. In the first two and a half months of the activities, staff spoke to over 5,300 visitors, showing them a range of wildlife such as little owls, black tailed godwit, great crested grebe, and water voles.

Other activities and events include nestbox building for children, birdwatching walks for beginners, and guided walks for visitors and Severn Trent staff. The events are staffed entirely by the project officer and over 20 volunteers from the local area. With three events per week, covering weekdays and weekends, the input of these volunteers is extremely important, and very much appreciated.

Established in June 2006, the project will last for two years until May 2008. Early results show the project has great potential to reach a large audience, and the public response to it is very positive.