(Photo by Felix Stigter)
On 8 July, Stephen Tomkins of Cam Valley Forum gave us a disturbing and comprehensive account of why our chalk streams are in such trouble – basically because of unsustainable demand, pollution, and resultant damage to the natural environment. To meet environmental flow targets and restore health to the rivers it has been calculated that abstraction should be reduced by 60-70%. Yet, incredibly, the water companies are in fact licensed to take even more water than they do already. And instead of a reduction in demand there are plans for at least 9,000 further homes in the area by 2041.
See a full report, including suggestions for what we can do about it, here.
See the slides Stephen used here and here (Stephen asks that the images not be used for any commercial rather than educational purpose)