We have put forward a bold new solution which offers hope for the long-term health of the River Darent by delivering a big improvement in flow volume.
It’s been a nerve-racking summer for the Darent. The lack of rain and increased demand for water in the heat created additional pressure on the amount of water in the river. In the past, sections of the river completely dried up in such conditions.
The reason the river didn’t dry up this year is likely due to the Darent Action Plan that was implemented in the 1990s. It led to a reduction in the amount of water being abstracted from the aquifers that feed the river that water companies use to supply homes and businesses.
It’s good news but not great news. The problem is that the Darent, and its major tributary, the Cray are among the most abstracted rivers in the country. It means water levels in the two rivers are a shadow of what they were in the past. While water companies have committed to big reductions in the amount of water they take from the aquifers, this will not happen until 2050. We think it’s too late.
That’s why this year, together with our partners South East Rivers Trust and Darent Valley Trout Fishers, we commissioned a consultant water engineer and hydrologist, John Lawson, to investigate alternatives. A brief overview and explanation of the solution and why it is needed appears on our website here. Alternatively, to read John’s full report, please click here.
We have shared the report with Thames and South East Water, as well as Ofwat, the Environment Agency and other interested parties. We held a meeting with Thames Water early in October, who are investigating the proposal. We are hoping to have a similar meeting with South East Water shortly.
The timing is important because the report coincides with what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for major improvement. There is a recognition that more resilient water supplies are needed and we want to make sure this opportunity is not wasted. The solution being proposed could be implemented much sooner than 2050 and offers a major improvement improvement in flows at a vastly reduced cost.
We are very grateful to our sponsors who have backed the production of the report. This has taken us two-thirds of the way to reaching our target of £20,000. It will cover professional fees and enable us to continue to maintain momentum and drive action to safeguard the future of the Darent into the future.
Can you help? Donations can be made directly to Nat West Bank, Account Name Darent River Preservation Society, Sort Code 60-19-02, Account number 71582894. Please use Darent Action as a reference.
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