The Chalkstream Charter will be heavily featured in a R4 Face the Facts programme that goes out on July 29 at 12.25pm.
Don’t forget to tune in!
For more info on The Chalkstream Charter:
http://www.chilternsaonb.org/uploads/files/CCSP/Chalkstream_Charter_web.pdf
On Monday 1st July 2013 ARK's riverfly monitoring team identified a devastating pollution incident on the River Kennet. All the invertebrates for around 15km of river had been killed by the pesticide 'chlorpyrifos' which entered the river at the Sewage Treatment Works at Marlborough.
During the summer, invertebrates like the famous mayfly are abundant, and they are the key food source for fish and birds living along chalkstreams.
The Environment Agency and Thames Water are working to identify how the pesticide got into the sewer network. ARK's volunteer riverfly monitors are monitoring ecological impacts of the pollution.
Current observations include dead crayfish and devastated and declining invertebrate populations, and large increases in algal growth on the river bed.
On Tuesday 9 July the Environment Agency and Public Health UK lifted their advice to avoid swimming, fishing and other recreational activities and confirmed that pesticide levels in the water have reduced. The Food Standards Agency advised that it is safe to eat fish from the River Kennet.
ARK's volunteer riverfly monitors carry out 'health checks' on over 40 sites on the Kennet each month. Their efficiency and swift action alerted river keepers and The Environment Agency to the problem.
The River Kennet is a Site of Scientific Interest and one of England's finest chalkstreams. This incident is one of the largest ever and has wiped out around a third of the river.
