WORK on Welsh Water's £80m waste water treatment works at Newport is nearing completion.

The project, which is located at Nash and will serve the entire population of the town and the surrounding area, began in 1996.

The works is already treating sewage and waste water from Newport and Magor.

In the months ahead waste from Caldicot and Chepstow will also be diverted to Nash.

Welsh Water's asset manager for South-East Wales, Andrew Swift (pictured), said: "Nash works is not yet running at full capacity, but it is already helping to improve the local environment. "Waste water is being treated to a very high standard before the cleaned effluent is discharged into the Severn Estuary.

"This investment is an important part of Welsh Water's South-East Wales coastal strategy as part of the Green Seas campaign.

"It will improve the sea- water quality in the area."

He added that the project is part of Welsh Water's £1.2 billion investment programme which is helping to clean up the rivers and coastline of Wales.

Welsh Water is now owned by Glas Cymru, a not-for-profit company that exists to deliver the best possible service to customers while keeping bills as low as possible.