Major Sewage Treatment Upgrade Promises Healthier River Chess

Major Sewage Treatment Upgrade Revives River Chess Health

Chesham, UK — A significant £20 million investment in Thames Water’s Chesham Sewage Treatment Works is reportedly leading to a remarkable revival of the River Chess, a vital waterway in the Chilterns National Landscape. The upgrade has resulted in an impressive 85% reduction in phosphorus levels entering the river, dramatically improving water quality.

The reduction scheme has successfully lowered phosphorus levels from two milligrams per litre to just 0.25 milligrams per litre, a change that experts believe is crucial for the river’s ecosystem. Steph Horn, the Chess Smarter Water Catchment project coordinator at Chilterns National Landscape, emphasized the importance of this upgrade, stating, “By reducing the phosphate levels entering the river, the upgrade of Chesham Sewage Treatment Works represents the single most important step taken to date in improving the water quality of the Chess.”

This investment is not just a milestone; it is a vital contribution towards enhancing the Water Framework Directive (WFD) status of the Chess, ensuring the long-term health of this globally significant chalk stream. However, Horn cautioned that while progress has been made, further efforts are necessary from Thames Water and partner organizations to secure lasting recovery.

Paul Jennings, chair of the River Chess Association, echoed this sentiment, noting that since 2019, improvements have been evident due to Thames Water’s investment and Affinity Water’s reduction of abstraction. “This, in conjunction with the work supported by the Thames Water Smarter Water Catchment Project, has created tangible improvements to wildlife numbers,” Jennings said. He highlighted the return of otters, the expansion of water voles’ territory, and the increased sightings of Kingfishers and Little Egrets in urban areas like Chesham and Rickmansworth.

The upgraded sewage treatment facility has also enhanced its flow-to-treatment capacity from 241 to 353 litres per second, allowing for more efficient wastewater treatment during heavy rainfall and reducing the risk of storm overflows. Chris McKenna, Colne and Maidenhead operations manager at Thames Water, stated, “The upgrades at Chesham Sewage Treatment Works are part of our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable services for our customers while also protecting the health of rivers and waterways, in the face of climate change and growing demand.”

These improvements are complemented by ongoing river restoration projects along the Chess and the broader Smarter Water Catchment programme, which has received £3 million from Thames Water over the past five years and recently secured an additional £2 million for continued habitat restoration work.

As the River Chess begins to show signs of recovery, the community remains hopeful for a future where this cherished waterway thrives, supporting both wildlife and local residents alike.