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Chalk streams hit by 14,000 hours of sewage discharges last year
- Chalk streams are known as “England’s rainforest” for animal habitats and unique to England
- Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey will today visit a chalk stream in Winchester with local dog walkers
- Fears the amount of sewage dumped into chalk streams may be higher than feared with sewage monitors found to be broken
New analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed water companies dumped sewage into England’s chalk streams for a staggering 14,162 hours last year.
There were 2,240 incidents of sewage discharges into chalk streams by five of the country’s water firms: Anglian Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water and Yorkshire Water.
Chalk streams are a unique waterway found primarily in the South of England and Yorkshire. They have been referred to as “England’s rainforest” for their special qualities which allow wildlife and plants to thrive. They are a haven for iconic species like the otter, kingfisher and salmon amongst many others. However they have come under threat from abstraction and sewage.