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New information from HS2/Align indicates a much greater risk of aquifer contamination than previously admitted.
Daily sewage releases into the river could continue into May, but work is underway to tackle groundwater infiltration into Chesham's sewers which is big contributor to this problem.
In March, Thames Water is beginning work to fix groundwater infiltration hotspots in Chesham's sewers.
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October was Desperately Dry
Nov 11, 2011
With the River Chess running dry, we desperately needed a wet October to get the winter recharge period up and running and re-filling the aquifer. Unfortunately, October proved to be unseasonably dry with the Chilterns-East-Colne area (which includes the Chess) only receiving 11% of the Long Term Average (LTA) effective rainfall for the month. Effective rainfall is that which gets down into the aquifer, rather than rain that becomes surface run-off and ends up in the drainage system.
The lack of rainfall meant that groundwater levels continued to decline, with the level at Ashley Green being at its second lowest ever recorded value for October (only October 1997 was lower). The lack of groundwater meant that the River Chess continued to dry out as far as Lord’s Mill in Waterside, Chesham, which will have terrible consequences for the chalk stream ecosystem in the town.
To see the full October Water Situation Report, visit the Environment Agency’s web site.
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