Affinity unveils chalk stream revitalisation scheme

Affinity Water has begun work to create a new river channel to improve the health of the River Misbourne as part of its work to improve chalk streams.

The company unveiled its five-year programme to improve the flow and biodiversity of chalk streams in its catchment after pledging to stop abstracting from the waterways.

Together with Southern, Thames and Anglian, Affinity committed to do more to improve the health of chalk streams in the south of England earlier this month.

As part of its Revitalising Chalk Rivers scheme the company is undertaking environmental improvement works along the river Misbourne in Amersham with farmers, the Environment Agency (EA) and county council.

The new section of the river will meander through agricultural land adjacent to the river before reconnecting with the existing channel.

The flow of the river will be returned to closer to its natural route prior to any human intervention, while cattle crossing points will be added so animals have access without disturbing waterway.

David Watts, Affinity’s programme delivery manager said the work will create a more diverse habitat: “Pool and riffle sequences will create deeper and shallower sections of water which in turn will create areas of slower flowing water and faster flowing water which will attract different aquatic plant, macroinvertebrate, such as mayflies and fish species.”

An informal wetland area will be created and natural flood barriers will be added to prevent downstream flooding risks.

Grace Harland, Affinity’s asset scientist said the section of the river currently lacks many features of a typical chalk stream. “The channel is generally overwide and straight and is perched above the valley bottom away from its original course. This means the flow is fairly linear and vegetation is not diverse.”

Under the upcoming Environment Bill, the EA will be given extra powers to vary and revoke abstraction licenses without being liable to compensate license holders.