The water quality of the River Pang, a chalk stream in Berkshire designated by Thames Water as part of a "flagship chalk stream restoration project," has been rated as "poor" by the Environment Agency. Figures released on Thursday also indicated that the river failed tests for hazardous substances.
Thames Water launched the Pang Flagship Chalk Stream Partnership in 2022, with plans for restoration efforts to extend from 2025 to 2035. The company stated it has invested £875,000 in the partnership. Thames Water attributes river water quality to a variety of factors, including farming, industry, road runoff, and extreme weather, emphasizing that addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach.
Chalk streams are recognized as rare and diverse habitats, with 85% of the world's approximately 260 chalk rivers located in the United Kingdom.
Ash Smith, an advocate who has campaigned for a decade against the pollution of Britain's waterways, called for a fundamental change in how the water industry is regulated. "We need a complete overhaul of the way the water industry is allowed to pollute for profit," Smith stated, adding that attributing pollution solely to weather conditions is not justifiable. He described waterways as precious resources, highlighting that their health depends on respectful treatment, which fosters plant and fish life.
An Environment Agency spokesman confirmed the agency's commitment to restoring and protecting chalk streams like the River Pang, recognizing them as valuable natural resources. The agency identified "barriers to fish movement" from the Thames to the Pang as a key factor contributing to a reduction in the diversity and numbers of fish in the river.