Water bosses agree on new plan to protect River Ems water level
Hopes of new protection for the River Ems have taken a big step forward
Chichester MP Gillian Keegan has had a meeting with the Environment Agency’s area director, Simon Moody.
And she has reported being given further information on plans to mitigate the impact of water abstraction on the rare chalk stream and update Portsmouth Water’s licence agreements.
Mr Moody confirmed plans were under way to implement a water supplementation scheme at the site during times of low flow.
This will pump water back into the river to protect the local wildlife and the wider eco-system.
The campaign to end over-abstraction has been
championed by the MP, who has been supporting The Friends of the River Ems community group and local councillor Roy Briscoe.
She has been working closely with the Environment Agency and Portsmouth Water to ensure solutions are found. Longer-term, she has been working to encourage the water company to rely on other sources of water, such as the soon to be built Havant Thicket Reservoir.
Mrs Keegan welcomed the new plans, saying: “This is a major step in the right direction and will ensure the river’s eco-system is not damaged by overabstraction.
“I will continue to work closely with Cllr Briscoe and the community, until we are satisfied the River Ems is properly protected.”
The MP has also made representations to the JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) for it to consider the river for environmental protection status. Mr Moody added: “If this summer’s trial goes well Portsmouth Water will look to make permanent changes to their infrastructure to better protect this river’s important habitat.
“This project is a collaborative effort and I am grateful to Portsmouth Water for working so closely and openly with us and the community to develop these plans.
“I am also considering what longer-term changes may be required in the area to reduce pressures on our chalk streams.”
The Friends of the River Ems has raised concerns over a long period of time about the damage too much abstraction is doing to the river.