Chalk Aquifer Alliance

The Chalk Aquifer Alliance supports the restoration and protection of water quality and flows in our chalk streams and the reduction of abstraction to sustainable levels.

Aims:

• Raise awareness of the plight of all chalk streams
• Share knowledge and understanding across river groups
• Campaign to end unsustainable abstraction
• Work to establish ecological target flows for chalk streams and hands-off flow conditions
• Fight to end sewage releases into chalk streams
• Encourage habitat restoration and optimum biodiversity
• Celebrate the benefits to mental health, happiness and general wellbeing a healthy chalk stream can bring

Potentially:

• Lobbying for ALL chalk streams to have bespoke statutory designation including enhanced protection
• Stronger controls on damaging agricultural practices that affect chalk streams
• Publicising the targets of the Water Framework Directive/Environment Bill and pursuing those tasked to make it happen
• Preventing road run off and its load of sediment containing hydrocarbons, heavy metals, street litter and microplastics running into chalk streams
• Raise awareness of insufficiently treated water from sewage works damaging chalk streams especially at times of low flow
• Planning process changes to ensure that new developments will only be permitted where a sustainable water supply is assured
• Pressing for more flexibility in supply network to move water from areas of higher rainfall to those with less – towards a national grid of water
• To have minimum flows applied to all headwaters, specifically spring fed rivers
• Whether the Chalk aquifer is a single entity and should be managed as such
• Encouraging Government to get fully behind sustained consumer water saving campaigns
• Inspiring consumers to embrace water saving for the benefit of the environment