A DISTILLERY in the Cotswolds which makes whisky has unveiled a new wetland to process its waste water.

Cotswolds Distillery, located near Shipston unveiled the Wetlands Ecological Treatment System on August 1. 

The wetlands will naturally process three quarters of the waste water produced from making whisky, creating not only a bio-diverse habitat for local wildlife, but reducing tanker truck traffic as well.

The project began in May 2023 and the distillery worked with Living Water Ecosystems and RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold-medal winner, Rachael White Designs to construct this new ecological treatment facility

The system uses a variety of plants and their natural biological processes to break down the chemical compounds deemed as contaminants in the waste streams.

It has been carefully designed with multiple stages of plants which were bedded in August 2023 to acclimatise and have now begun processing waste liquid from the whisky making.

The clean water from this new treatment system will be used to grow a coppice of willows which in turn will provide undisturbed shelter and habitat for wildlife.

Dan Szor, Cotswolds Distillery founder says, “We have been looking for ways to improve our waste management and a wetlands treatment system seemed like the perfect solution.

"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.”

The new wetlands site also includes a large area of untouched grassland and a wildflower area for pollinators and visitors to enjoy, as well as two new beehives to help the pollinator population.

In time, new additions will be made to the site including bird boxes, pathways for visitors and more.

Cotswolds Distillery was founded in 2014, has two stores in Bourton and Broadway and is the largest producer of English Whisky

In June 2024 it was named as the most popular whisky distillery in the UK and Ireland for the second year running in the The Cask Connoisseur 2024 Whisky Index.