Chidgey Calls For Action To Avert Water Shortage (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

Chidgey Calls For Action To Avert Water Shortage

April 5, 2004 5:00 PM

David Chidgey Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, demanded that water companies clean up their acts after the findings from a three year study revealed that the environmental status of the Itchen River is in danger.

The River Itchen Sustainability Study found that the river is suffering from the buildup of licensed discharges from local septic tanks and sewage treatment plants. This, combined with the abstraction of water is damaging local wildlife and threatening the river's EU Candidate Status for Special Area Conservation. The majority of the area's "Special Interest Features" are in an 'unfavourable condition'.

David Chidgey said:

"The study has recognized the impact of extracting water from the River Itchen. If changes aren't made urgently, it's likely that by 2005 water demand will have exceeded the current supply. This will have serious repercussions on the ecological balance of the River Itchen and on the ability of water companies to supply everyday household needs."

There are two main options for overcoming the river's problems. In the short-term, water could be imported from the nearby River Test catchment area to increase the Itchen supply. The second and more costly option consists of expanding surface water abstraction at Gaters Mill, while reducing abstraction further upstream.

Mr. Chidgey said:

"Setting up a committee to consider the problems plaguing the river at this late stage seems to be delaying decisions that desperately need to be taken now. We have to be ready to tackle next year's predicted water shortage. And we cannot keep putting off decisions needed to safeguard the long-term future of the River Itchen. We must be able to benefit from the environmental protection afforded by European legislation. It's vital that we preserve the river habitat for future generations.

ENDS