Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been working to clear 225 meters of overgrown drainage channel that will protect homes in Peterstone from flooding.
The Internal Drainage Districts (IDD) have been working on projects like this since joining NRW earlier this year and were due to carry out work on the Gwent Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The IDD ran into trouble when historic pollution was identified on site that could have spread further into the river and threatened the entire project.
But thanks to the local knowledge of the teams, NRW was able to clear this pollution quickly and continue with the work on reducing the flood risk to homes near the reen.
The recently completed work in Peterstone started in September and is the third operation of the scheme to be completed.