A local environmental group is
calling on national authorities to step up and protect the
River Ems from local water companies’ plans.
The Ems, a rare chalk stream, is
threatened by the amount of water taken from its underground
sources by Portsmouth Water (PW).
The Friends of the Ems group (FOTE)
sees the planned Havant Thicket reservoir as an opportunity
for PW to reduce pressure on the river and help it regain a
proper flow.
But the company has
done a deal which would mean that
supplies would be piped out of the local area and used by
Southern Water (SW) instead.
Now FOTE is calling on the national
water industry regulator Ofwat and the Environment Agency to
act.
A FOTE spokesperson said: “The
proposal for a reservoir at Havant Thicket gave us hope that
the ability to capture and store new water would enable a
reduction in the amount taken from the sources of the Ems.
“But it looks like none of the reservoir supply will be used
to help our river. Instead,
PW and
SW have signed an agreement proposing a transfer of 60m
litres per day from the local area. There is a proposal to
convert seawater to drinking water using a plant at Fawley,
which we support. But if this does not go ahead, the amount
transferred could increase to 115m litres per day.
“The Ems, with its trout and water
voles and kingfishers, is in crisis. The effects of the
water being taken by PW are becoming more and more apparent
in the summer and early autumn, when flows drop and sections
dry up altogether.
“The evidence of damage to the Ems,
which has been known for years, should be acted upon. This
transfer of water out of this area should not be allowed
until steps have been taken to ensure proper flow in the
Ems. And Havant Thicket should not be a missed opportunity.
Further progress on the reservoir plan should only be
permitted on condition that watercourses like the Ems are
protected and restored.
“We acknowledge the need to maintain a public water supply
in the face of population growth and climate change. But
this cannot be at the further expense of fragile habitats,
and the plants and animals they support.”
The
Ems flows through the South Downs national park in West
Sussex, near the Hampshire border, and into Chichester
Harbour at Emsworth. FOTE is part of Greening Westbourne, a
campaign group in Westbourne.
Greening Westbourne has been supporting a proposal by
Chichester District Council to make the area along the Ems a
designated ‘wildlife corridor’ because of its environmental
importance.
Local people who want to join FOTE can get involved by
signing up as supporters. They should email
greeningwestbourne@hotmail.co.uk
For more information find Greening Westbourne Campaign on Facebook or the group’s website: www.e-voice.org.uk/greening-westbourne.
See also:
Rescue plan launched for river at “cliff edge”
Evidence shows damage to River Ems
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