The River Chess Association is concerned about the extent of drying in the river “Droughts in winter are difficult to comprehend but the river has been dry in Chesham for over a year ” says Association Chairman Paul Jennings. It’s not all down to low rainfall, low flows are caused by abstraction for public water supply.
“Low rainfall and water company abstraction add up to a dry river. Permitted abstraction levels in the light of changed weather patterns are now unsustainable and if we want healthy chalk streams then water companies must find alternative sources of water for customers. Affinity Water should consider turning off their abstraction pumps at Alma Road, Chartridge and Chorleywood to stop the river drying up.”