Chesham Town Guide 2022/23

Smarter Water Catchment
The River Chess is a feature of Chesham enjoyed by
many residents and provides a habitat for many
charismatic species, such as kingfishers, water voles and
brown trout. In recent decades, residents have watched
with concern as the river has dried up more and more
frequently in the summer months. Besides a lack of flow,
this globally-rare chalk stream faces many other
pressures, including pollution and invasive species.
In 2020, Thames Water launched its Smarter Water
Catchment pilot on the Chess. The aim is to look at the
catchment (i.e., the river and all the land around it) as a
whole and work with partners to help restore the health
of the Chess. They are investing £3 million in this
project over 5 years and working closely with a number
of organisations with local expertise, such as the
Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and the Chiltern
Society, and organisations like Queen Mary University
who provide technical knowledge and access to the latest
technology.
Initial work has been done to better understand the
problems on the Chess and a 10-year action plan has
been created with input from many local organisations
to help restore the fortunes of our much-loved river.
Work is now underway to deliver improvements in
water quality, managing flow (both flooding and
drought), controlling invasive non-native species such as
Japanese Knotweed, providing wildlife corridors and
habitats, involving the public in work on the river and
getting organisations to work together more effectively
to help solve problems.
Achievements to date include the recruitment of a
team of local volunteers (known as citizen scientists)
who have been trained in a variety of survey techniques
to monitor for pollution and changes in river habitats.
And a 600m stretch of the Little Chess near Latimer has
been fenced to protect it from the impacts of grazing
farm animals. This will allow vegetation to grow up on
the banks, creating habitat for the river’s precious
population of water voles.
It's important to remember that all residents can do
their bit to help protect the Chess. A small change can
equal a big impact. The only way we are going to be able
to ensure the River Chess is clean and sustainable for
future generations is with the involvement of all of us;
not only by the participation of farmers, land managers
and organisations, but also local businesses and the
public, too. Do you or the business you work for have a
smart water meter? Do you turn the tap off when you
brush your teeth? Do you collect rain water to water
your garden? These are all small changes you can make
which will improve the amount of water that flows
through the river, helping to protect its ecosystems.
There are also opportunities to volunteer your time on
and around the Chess. For more information, please
email chesscs@chilternsaonb.org. Collective action can
help protect and enhance the river that we value.
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