Calne Town Council - Castlefield's Duckweed Project

This project aims to procure a bespoke surface skimmer that is specifically designed to control floating invasive weeds. There is only one company in the UK that manufacture these.
It is hoped that the following benefits will be produced.
1. An effective mechanical intervention method for eradication of the floating invasive specimen.
2. Speedy removal of the specimen avoids oxygen crashes and nitrate spikes.
3. Easy installation by Grounds Team with no specialist equipment needed.
4. Fully adjustable within the water line, optimising the surface skimmer up and down with the water level.
5. Galvanised material with 10 year service life.
We are also planning on planting more native riparian species along the banks within the waterway once the duck weed is controlled into the future with regular and routine skimming. The key to this being a successful project is being able to purchase the bespoke surface skimmer.
This project is required to help restore balanced biodiversity in this area and to support native species using the riparian habitat. It has also been identified via the Green Flag Awards of which Castlefield’s Canal & River Park now successfully hold that the control of the duck weed would bring multiple benefits and improvements to the site and area as a whole. It is hoped that this project will bring significant environmental benefits by controlling the duckweed.