FISHERIES management students at Bridgwater College visited a water treatment works at Ashford to see how stream water is turned into safe drinking water for the Bridgwater area.

The treatment works, run by Wessex Water, is situated just two miles from the college’s Cannington centre and they have a purpose- built education centre on site.

Former operations manager Martin Coombs gave the students an amazing tour of the complex and answered all their questions from start to finish.

The students saw how the process begins with the collection process into the reservoir to the treatment and disinfection stages and ultimately the finished product.

The Ashford treatment works supplies the drinking water to Bridgwater and the surrounding areas.

Programme manager Iain Turner said: “As part of the course the students learn about all aspects of water quality and with this excellent resource right on our doorstep we are very lucky.”

18-year-old student Elliot Mellish said: “This was a real eye-opener for me.

“I didn’t realise so much went into making sure we have a plentiful, safe drinking supply.”