A water filtration system that may hold the key to cleaning our waterways, is being developed in Christchurch

Scientist Ngarie Scartozzi has been working on the E-Clean Bioreactor for 15 years.

It uses a collection of bacteria, called a microbiome , to break down nitrates, phosphates and E.coli.

Scartozzi says lab trials have gone well and field trials are underway.

She the system could help clean up the Avon River.