Chalk Streams: Sewage Discharge

My constituency's River Loddon is rich in biodiversity but faces persistent sewage discharges. I urge the Government to ensure infrastructure investments proceed regardless of Thames Water's financial position.

Farmers around the River Itchen are considering nature protection measures. The speaker raised concerns about flea and worm treatments overprescribed by veterinarians, containing neonicotinoids that harm chalk stream ecosystems.

I highlighted that over-engineering of chalk streams can lead to flooding and proposed nature-based solutions as a better approach to manage river flow in my constituency.

The Hogsmill River, an important ecological and cultural heritage site, has seen over 30 hours of sewage overflow in September. Swift action is needed to protect our chalk streams from degradation.

In Chichester, water companies have been abstracting from the River Ems since the 1960s, moving the flow downstream. The speaker called for sustainable solutions to ensure future water supply.

I commend the hon. Lady for bringing forward the debate on sewage discharge in chalk streams, noting that limestone rivers in Northern Ireland share similar importance to environmental health.

We should base the requirement for sewage treatment works not only on population size but also on the importance of the waterways they protect, such as the Lambourn and Kennet chalk streams in my constituency. I asked where the Government stands on introducing a sewage tax on water company profits and about supporting an 8-metre buffer zone around rivers to prevent soil runoff into chalk streams, impacting wildlife such as wild brown trout.

I thank my hon. Friend for introducing the debate and raise concerns about Southern Water dumping sewage into Shawford lake stream, which affected over 1,000 schoolchildren in Eastleigh's YMCA Fairthorne Manor.

The Pang River in my constituency has phosphate levels three times what they should be, impacting water quality severely. I call for urgent action from the Government to protect our chalk streams after previous governments failed them. The hon. Friend was thanked for the Government's actions to clean up rivers and streams, asking if chalk streams will be part of this plan.

I suggested the need for a recognised special status and designation for chalk streams to ensure they receive necessary protections given their rarity and unique ecological importance. The Minister was praised for individual projects but criticised for lack of a national strategy for chalk streams, urging the designation and special status for all chalk streams to avoid piecemeal treatment.