Cotswolds Distillery offers green solution with new wetlands treatment system

Cotswolds Distillery has come up with an innovative green solution for its waste water - launching a wetlands ecological treatment system on its Shipston-on-Stour site.
The project began in May last year and covers nearly two acres of former marshland, which can process both the residual liquid in the still after the second distillation and the wash water waste - used for rinsing tanks, floors and cleaning.
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The distillery worked with Living Water Ecosystems and RHS Chelsea flower show gold-medal winner, Rachael White Designs to construct the system, which could reduce distillery waste by tens of thousands of litres per week. It was funded by investors Berry Bros & Rudd.
The clean water from the new treatment system will be used to grow a coppice of willows which in turn will provide a habitat for wildlife.
The new wetlands site also includes a large area of untouched grassland and a wildflower area and two new beehives to help the pollinator population. In time, new additions will be made to the site including bird boxes and pathways.
"We have been looking for ways to improve our waste management and a wetlands treatment system seemed like the perfect solution," said Dan Szor, Cotswolds Distillery founder.
"Hopefully it will reinforce our position as a force for good within our local community as it allows us to be more environmentally friendly by cutting down on waste and waste transportation and at the same time creating a haven for wildlife."
Cotswolds Distillery, founded in 2014, is the largest producer of English whisky and has become a premier Cotswolds attraction, offering tours and tastings.
The distillery and two satellite stores in Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water receive over 100,000 visitors a year. In June this year, it was named as the most popular whisky distillery in the UK and Ireland for the second year running in The Cask Connoisseur 2024 Whisky Index.