Pledges to protect chalk streams have been made by Affinity, Anglian, Southern and Thames at a summit chaired by environment minister Rebecca Pow.
The companies committed to invest millions of pounds to reduce abstraction and cut pollution from sewage works and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) as part of plans to stop the decline of the waterways.
Chalk streams are recognised as ecologically important and the pledge by the four companies – whose regions include the majority of the world’s streams – is intended to recover flows and ecological status.
This includes stopping sewage discharges into chalk streams from sewers and treatment sites, which are currently permitted to alleviate pressure on the system from heavy rainfall, as well as reducing abstraction.
Cross-water company and regional level planning will manage demand for water from households, businesses, industry and agriculture without such reliance on chalk streams. This will include developing new sources of water, increased storage such as new reservoirs, and reducing consumer demand through education and metering.
There are only 200 chalk streams known globally, 85 per cent of which are found in the UK in southern and eastern England. While some, notably the Kennet, Lambourne, Test and Itchen, benefit from formal designations under the EU Habitats Directive, many, such as the Chess in the Chilterns, do not.
In 2017 Thames said it would cut abstractions from chalk streams, where supported by customers, and last month Affinity said it would end abstraction from streams in its region.
Affinity Water’s director of corporate affairs, Jake Rigg added: “This is the decade where we will either protect and enhance the environment for every generation or fall further behind. We recognise this is not a new issue, but it is clear that we need to act with urgency.”
Sarah Bentley, Thames chief executive, said: “Restoring and protecting chalk streams requires a team effort and I look forward to working with government, regulators, public bodies, environmental NGOs, and the local communities to deliver activities on the ground. We’ve already made good progress and have ambitious plans for the future.”
Peter Simpson, chief executive of Anglian said: “Over the next five years we’ll be investing £811 million protecting and enhancing the environment in our region, including millions which will go towards improving river water quality. But we recognise there’s even more to do, which is why we’re already working with Defra to outline how we can to go even further, and faster, as part of our commitment to ensuring a green recovery post covid-19.”
Individual company commitments include Thames promising to increase capacity at its sewage works to reduce discharges to streams and lower phosphorous levels.
It will cease infiltration of groundwater and surface water into the sewer network to minimise reliance on CSOs.
Thames will also end abstraction from Hawridge on the River Chess by the end of 2024 and lower abstraction by 80 per cent from the Chilterns.
Anglian’s pledge included capping all major groundwater aquifers to recent actual levels to avoid deterioration in the next five years. This equates to a reduction of more than 80 million litres per day.
It will also accept significantly tighter Hands Off Flow (HOF) conditions on abstractions linked the River Nar and River Lark.
Chalk stream restoration has hit headlines this year thanks to environmental groups and former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey who has loudly criticised the EA for failing to protect, and water companies for polluting these rivers.