Improving water quality, enhancing watersides and working with landowners to reduce flooding risk are among reasons Anglian Water says it has given over half a million pounds to a charity.
The East Mercia Rivers Trust is the beneficiary which works on projects in the catchment area of both the River Welland and the Witham.
The exact donation has not been revealed, nor exactly where it will be spent.
But it could go on the Spalding Reconnected trail which the trust is working alongside other partners.
It could also go on initiative to help clean local waterways.
According to the trust’s Welland Catchment Plan only one of 37 water courses related to the River Welland has a good ecological status with 18 rated moderate, 11 bad and seven poor.
It says this is ‘mainly due to pollution from agricultural sources, wastewater contamination, and the impacts of physical modifications such as channel straightening and dredging’.
The trust aims to have all waterways having a good status by 2063.
It’s looking to recruit volunteers to monitor the water.
Anglian Water say the ‘over half a million’ donation is part of its Get River Positive initative which has £9m in match funding invested in 53 projects.
The money will be spent in the Welland catchment area, which includes most of South Holland, a spokesman said: “Restoration efforts are focused on improving water quality, enhancing urban riverscapes and reducing the risk of flooding by engaging with landowners to install nature-based and natural flood management measures.
“All these activities are bolstered by a programme of engagement centred on the newly formed Rivers Academy. Hosted by the National Trust at Belton Estate, EMRT has created the first permanent centre for rivers, to promote education and engagement amongst people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Still in its infancy, the funding will take the initiative to the next level in delivering curriculum and citizen science-based workshops.
Dr Robin Price, director of quality and environment at Anglian Water, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the East Mercia Rivers Trust on this vital partnership to revitalise our region’s precious rivers.
“We know how important rivers and the wider environment are to our customers and local communities.
“Our Get River Positive programme is designed to make sure our rivers are the healthiest they can be – but we can’t do it alone. Working collaboratively is key to driving real action and making the changes we all want to see. That’s why partnerships, like this one with East Mercia Rivers Trust, are so vital in building a better future for our rivers and environment.”
