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Oct 5, 2022
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn
On 3rd October, we received a call from Thames Water telling us they had detected a spike in ammonia levels in the effluent from the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works.
Jun 24, 2021
Category: HS2
Posted by: Kathryn

New information from HS2/Align indicates a much greater risk of aquifer contamination than previously admitted. 

Mar 21, 2021
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn

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.

Feb 26, 2021
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn

In March, Thames Water is beginning work to fix groundwater infiltration hotspots in Chesham's sewers. 

Latest News

Monitoring the River's Return

May 2, 2018

Category: Drought
Posted by: Kathryn

Andrew and Ken with their riverfly sample

Above: Volunteers Andrew and Ken checking their sample for riverflies in Meades Water Gardens

Now that flow has finally returned to the upper reaches of the Chess, our riverfly monitors are back to their regular spots at the Queens Head and Meades Water Gardens to see what, if any, invertebrate life is present. Understandably, they found nothing has recolonised these areas as of yet. But from now on they will be checking the sites monthly to see how the river life recovers. The huge amount of silt that has been deposited in Meades Water Gardens (from road run off after storms discharging out of the Vale Brook just upstream) meant that the kick sampling was more like wading through treacle! This is not the clear, gravel bed that we should see in a chalk stream. We are continuing to lobby local authorities and the Environment Agency about the need to reduce the pollution entering the Chess from Chesham's road drainage network.

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