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Southern Water is investing more than £500,000 upgrading a piece of equipment that will benefit the environment on the Isle of Wight.
The company is upgrading its Sandown Wastewater Treatment Works.
The money's being spent on a piece of kit that helps to dispose of non biodegradable waste properly.
It will make sure things like cotton buds and nappies don't end up back in the water system. The piece of equipment will squash, or press together, all of the non-biodegradable waste so it can be disposed of properly.
The work will ensure the water that leaves the site and is recycled into the environment continues to meet tightening Environment Agency standards.
The upgraded press separates solid waste from toilet tissue and materials that should not be put down the toilet such as sanitary towels.
This other waste is then taken away to be disposed of, enabling the biodegradable waste to be treated further.
Project Manager Les Kelley said: "These improvements will have many environmental benefits and the work is progressing well.
"The new press will make great improvements to the treatment at Sandown.
"Removing items like nappies and cotton buds will help reduce pump blockages on the site and improve the treatment process.
"Non-biodegradable items put down toilets can cause blockages in sewers as can cooking fat and oil poured down sinks. We urge customers to throw these in the bin."
The work is expected to be completed in the early summer.
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