Author

membership

“Blue Asks” of the new development (Growing Baldock)

by membership 1 October 2023

written by membership

20th September, Ian Hall and Kathryn Mackenzie of RevIvel presented to the Baldock Community Forum chaired by Urban&Civic (U&C) master developers.
RevIvel highlighted requirements, best practices and suggestions relating to water, with
sustainability, aquifer health and community wellbeing in mind.
Here is a short summary of the points raised:
1. Supply of Drinking Water
This is a key issue as we live in a semi-arid, water-stressed area. There is no new water available locally.
RevIvel emphasised that the new development should not be:
 Detrimental to any chalk stream in this area
 Used as a “bargaining tool” to weaken existing environmental commitments
2. Sewerage
Issue: Groundwater has been polluted by four sewage “spillages” in the last three years.
RevIvel requested that:
 The new sewerage system must be constructed to the highest environmental standards and adopt best practices
 No overflows should be fitted at pipes or pumping stations
 There will be adequate storage within the system to cope with dry and wet weather flows
3. Other
RevIvel sought confirmation that:
 The new development will be water neutral, which is best practice
 There will be compulsory (smart) metering in the new homes and to explore tiered pricing
and capping measures to encourage reduced consumption
4. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
It is best practice in chalk catchments to use SuDS to encourage infiltration throughout the
development to contribute to aquifer recharge and support groundwater; this means SuDS should capture/ reutilise as much water as possible within the site and reduce run off.
RevIvel highlighted the following as best practice:
a. Within the new homes
 Features such as permeable driveways and water butts
 Integrated plumbing: to ensure grey and rainwater is re-utilised to e.g. flush toilets
 Fixtures and fittings which meet water efficiency best practice
b. Outside the new homes
 Implement permeable road and paving surfaces everywhere

 Implement SuDS across the whole site and in a joined-up way
 Install flow inhibitors at discharge points (as chalk streams need a constant flow)
5. Hydrological Features
 Opportunities for daylighting/ deculverting were mentioned at the consultation event.
RevIvel asked what has been highlighted in the site surveys?
 An historic winterbourne stream runs through the site; RevIvel asked that this should be
respected, not treated as a drainage ditch
6. The Bigger Picture/ Future-Proofing
RevIvel flagged the following:
 The need to keep abreast of the Levelling Up and Communities Bill (amendment contains
protection for chalk streams), as this will impact the planning process
 That the Environment Agency (EA) has been vocal lately about new developments. RevIvel asked for confirmation that the EA had been consulted and asked what had been stipulated?
 That the Pix Brook already floods; more recycled sewage water could make this worse.
Please investigate potential impact
 That planning/ design needs to be future-proofed i.e. ironically if abstraction were reduced, groundwater could rise
Outcome
U&C thanked RevIvel for the presentation and the suggestions.
There was useful discussion and furthermore, U&C confirmed that all the points (19!) raised by RevIvel were valid to take forward for further evaluation. This meeting was the latest in a series of helpful discussions with further progress meetings to be scheduled.
A reminder that the next public consultation events are scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2023 at St Mary’s Church Hall in Baldock.

1 October 2023 0 comment

Latest News

Water situation report of Upper Ivel July/August 2023

by membership 1 October 2023

written by membership

Water situation for Upper Ivel – July- August 2023
All data presented courtesy of the Environment Agency and Met Office (Crown copy right 2023)

Rainfall:
We had a particularly wet July, with 210% of Long-Term Average (LTA) in the Upper Bedford Ouse catchment. This was then followed by August which started wet but became increasingly dry as the month progressed. As the end of August sees the end of meteorological summer, the 3-month average (June- Aug 2023) for our catchment was 105% (normal) of LTA. The spring and summer combined can be considered as notably high, averaging 128% of the long- term average for our catchment area.

Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD)
The soil moisture deficits [SMD] by the end of August was 100+mm, and in the normal range for this time of year. Soil Moisture deficits for week ending 31 Aug 2023. Data based on weekly MORECS data for real land use and compared to an analysis of historic 1961 – 1990 LTA dataset.

Definitions:
Soil Moisture deficit (SMD) – The difference between the amount of water in the soil and the amount of water that the soil can hold (field capacity).

Ground Water (GW):
The groundwater levels across East Anglia’s western region continued to recede throughout the summer months as expected for this time of year but remain in the Normal range compared to historic levels.

Springs and River flows:
The main spring at Ivel Springs in Baldock started to flow on 14 th January 2023 but has ceased to flow as of 24 th June 2023, effective flowing for only 23 weeks in the year. This spring should flow year-round albeit at reduced flow levels in late summer / early autumn….Historically the mill at Blackhorse (closed in 1870s) would have milled wheat year-round for the people of Baldock and surrounding villages.
The second spring at the Ivel Springs nature reserve (upstream of culvert) in Baldock started to flow on 1 st January 2023. Surprisingly we have continued to see a minimal flow throughout July August, meaning we do have water along the whole Ivel form the head spring downward. This is important as it has allowed a slow recovery of flora and fauna in the upper reaches. Flow at Blackhorse mill started by the end of the first week in January 2023.Again we are pleased to report that there is still flow at Blackhorse mill at the end of August 2023.
The river Ivel flows are officially measured at Blunham. Heavy rain events in July saw increased flow which returned to normal during August (Green Zone).

Reservoir Stocks:
Water from the Ouse is transferred at Offord into Grafham Water reservoir. After twelve months of reduced capacity Grafham Water reservoir has finally returned to full capacity during June – Aug 2023 (94% -blue line on graph) which is in line with the normal operating level of 90%+.

End of June 2023 Grafham Water reservoir stock compared to the Normal operating Curve, Drought Curve and 1995-1996 stock levels.

Looking forward:
The Upper Bedford Ouse catchment has been in official “drought” from June 2022 until May 2023. The exceptional rain fall in March and continued aquifer recharge into mid-May 2023 has thankfully resulted in a change in status to “Recovering Drought. Despite the “summer” 3-month period with rainfall at 106% of the Long-Term Average the upper Bedford Ouse remains in “Recovering Drought.”
For the nine months period of drought experienced in 2022/ 2023 Affinity did not instigate any hosepipe bans instead they continued to pump water from the ground and allowed the river to dry all the way from Baldock to Radwell (acknowledged result of their Drought Plan).

Since 2019, RevIvel have been highlighting the plight of the chalk headwaters of the Ivel. Throughout this time Affinity Water have been making all the right noises, however more water has been taken from the aquifer than ever before!
Consequently, the river Ivel and its associated flora and fauna continues to suffer……..

1 October 2023 0 comment

Events

RevIvel talk at Baldock Library

by membership 7 August 2023

written by membership

The talk at Baldock Library was well attended; indeed extra chairs had to be fetched and laid out.

Catherine Wilmers introduced the background of The RevIvel Association, when and why it was founded, an introduction to chalk streams and the history (including the Roman Villa, the Mills, the Watercress beds and the fisheries) and about the biodiversity. We then showed the RevIvel Film with John Lawson’s Solution.

Craig Johnson continued, informing the group about present day problems including the threat of ‘Growing Baldock’ as well as pollution and over-abstraction. There were lots of questions to be fielded and there some donations were received at the end. We encouraged the audience to write to Oliver Heald MP and also to the Water Company, Affinity Water.

7 August 2023 0 comment

Events Latest News

Levelling Up chalk streams

by membership 25 July 2023

written by membership

Wonderful news came through on Tuesday 18th July that the government has agreed to provide explicit consideration to chalk streams in the Levelling Up Bill.

A bill designed amongst other things to restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost.

This important campaign to Level Up forgotten chalk streams began when Nikki da Costa spoke with Richard Meredith Hardy, a founding member and active committee member of RevIvel,about the plight of the Upper Ivel and chalk streams more generally. Nikki, as her page on gov.uk states, served as Director of Legislative Affairs for 2 Prime Ministers – Theresa May and Boris Johnson – and is a recognised authority on the UK’s legislative and parliamentary processes. Her expert knowledge proved invaluable. Nikki pointed out the potential for the Levelling Up Bill to provide specific protection and a driver for improvements and restoration to chalk streams.

Richard put Nikki in touch with Charles Rangeley-Wilson ( guest speaker at last years Revivel Annual General Meeting), Stuart Singleton-White (Angling Trust) and Lord Trenchard, a supporter of chalk streams. Between them all they started on the case for a simple amendment to the Levelling Up Bill.

Much more information about this important development can be found on Charles Rangley Wilson Chalk Steams website and clicking on this link https://chalkstreams.org/2023/07/20/levelling-up-chalk-streams/

25 July 2023 0 comment

Latest News

Bug Hunting

by membership 25 July 2023

written by membership

Once a month several RevIvel members head off with a large net and a bucket to various points on the upper River Ivel. They are off to collaborate with the Environment Agency and Riverfly Partnership in the overall monitoring of the abundance of riverfly life.

A good indication of the state of the river can be discovered. A three-minute kick sample is taken in the river with the net pinpointing different habitats such as the clear gravelly parts and the greenery in the river or at the side. The contents of the net are put into a bucket and carried back to one of the members gardens to sort and also drink coffee! There are lots of ‘oohs and aahs’ as they are sorted by tipping gently into a large white tray and then separate the invertebrates by type into a segmented white tray. Then they are counted and come up with an abundance score.

The target groups are as follows: Caddisflies (both cased and caseless), Up-Winged Flies (Mayfly etc), Stoneflies and Freshwater Shrimp. There is a bit of competition to find the
handsomest caddis fly. They make their own home using tiny stones, green leaves and even bits of plastic. Small fish are exciting too and this week water beetles and water crickets were found. Seeing a leech extend from its smallest to largest size is fascinating.

Riverfly monitoring gives an insight into the Ivel’s invertebrates, their cycles and environmental needs.

Images are as follows

Top left CADDIS

Top right CADDIS using plastic and gravel for its case

Botton left LEECH

Bottom right SHRIMP

25 July 2023 0 comment

Latest News

“Growing Baldock”: the new development

by membership 21 July 2023

written by membership

Thank you to the more than 50 of you who gave feedback earlier in the year regarding local water supply and abstraction issues from the Ivel. As a next step, the Strategic Masterplan will be submitted for public consultation at the end of October 2023. Once again, you will have chance to feedback and help shape the way forward.

You may already be aware that RevIvel is represented on the Baldock Community Forum which is acting as a sounding board/ feedback forum for the new development (Growing Baldock).

19th July there was a meeting focussing on Green and Blue Infrastructure based on a 122-page audit report commissioned by Urban&Civic (U&C), the master developer. As you can imagine, RevIvel had quite a few points to make at the meeting.

Ecological Emergency
RevIvel reminded the meeting that North Herts Council had declared an ecological emergency 13th July 2023, specifically underlining the need to stop the decline in biodiversity and encourage its recovery. This is additional to the climate emergency declared May 2019. RevIvel queried how the planning for the new development would be changing to take account of the acknowledged ecological emergency? U&C responded it is already very environmentally conscious. RevIvel pressed the point and looks forward to U&C outlining the new, additional measures which will be planned and implemented in response to the declaration e.g. swift towers? more joined up
corridors for wildlife? grey water systems?

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
RevIvel is pleased that SuDS is being closely considered; SuDS are surface water management measures which mimic natural hydrological processes e.g. soakaways, water harvesting features. However RevIvel pointed out that natural/ existing soakaways may not work as well in future. The construction of new (impermeable) roads/ homes will test the capacity of the chalk to take larger volumes of water over a shorter period. Infiltration testing will be needed before finalising design of drainage system.

Is the development really an opportunity to improve flows in the Ivel?!
RevIvel challenged the statement that “sustainable water management and distribution…for Baldock…has the potential to recharge the aquifer and improve flows in the Ivel”. RevIvel’s response was that it is not credible that the local aquifer/ Ivel flows could benefit from an approximate doubling in the demand for water in Baldock/ Bygrave. RevIvel asked that it should be made clear that these efforts are to mitigate the impact of additional water demand requirements from the 3.3K new households. SuDS being one of the mitigation tools.

Some positive news
Citizen science recorders from e.g. the Herts invertebrate project, Herts flora group and Herts BNA branch, have found numerous rare species on the grassland between Clothall Common and the A505, where the excavated materials from the bypass were placed. This site appears to have become a mini-haven for biodiversity including some rare species such as the slow worms, lizard orchid, the sandrunner shieldbug, the downland chafer, a nationally rare spider and weevils. As well as flocks of meadow pipits. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteer recorders, in its planning to date, U&C has recognised that this ecologically important area should not just be left undisturbed, but enhanced further e.g. by providing a corridor for wildlife.

Further positive news is that trails to raise awareness of/ celebrate our local heritage and natural history are planned including “rediscovering” the long defunct paleo channel (from Clothall through Baldock).

21 July 2023 0 comment

Latest News

Water situation report for Upper Ivel – June 2023

by membership 21 July 2023

written by membership

Water situation for Upper Ivel – June 2023
All data presented courtesy of the Environment Agency and Met Office (Crown copy right 2023)

Rainfall:
Following on from the high-pressure weather dominating East Anglia in late May, the dry conditions persisted and there was little rainfall throughout June. Across our Upper Bedford Ouse catchment rainfall amounted to 56% of Long-Term Average (LTA).
The 3-month average (April- June 2023) for our catchment had 86% (normal) and the six-month average at 106% of LTA.

Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD)
The soil moisture deficits [SMD] continued to rapidly increase following the dry weather in late May and June.

Soil Moisture deficits for week ending 30 June 2023. Data based on weekly MORECS data for real land use and compared to an analysis of historic 1961 – 1990 LTA dataset.

Definitions:
Soil Moisture deficit (SMD) – The difference between the amount of water in the soil and the amount of water that the soil can hold (field capacity).

Ground Water (GW):
By the end of June, groundwater levels at all indicator boreholes had begun to decline, as expected at this time of year with little groundwater recharge occurring.

The second spring at the Ivel Springs nature reserve (upstream of culvert) in Baldock started to flow on 1st January 2023. We can expect this spring to stop flow in the coming days.

Flow at Blackhorse mill started by the end of the first week in January 2023.We can expect to see a significant reduction in flow at Black horse mill in the coming days and it is likely flow will cease during July. Something to watch out for….

The river Ivel flows are officially measured at Blunham. Heavy rain events in March and early May saw increased
flow which returned to normal in the second half of May and remained normal throughout June (Green Zone).

Reservoir Stocks:
Water from the Ouse is transferred at Offord into Grafham Water reservoir.
After twelve months of reduced capacity Grafham Water reservoir has finally reached 94% full (blue line on graph) which is in line with the normal operating level of 90%+.

End of June 2023 Grafham Water reservoir stock compared to the Normal operating Curve, Drought Curve and 1995-1996 stock levels.

Looking forward:
Recharge of the chalk aquifer relies on the amount of rainfall through the autumn and winter months. Overall, the last 6 months has seen good recharge conditions with overall 106% of Long-Term Average (LTA).

The Upper Bedford Ouse catchment has been in official drought since end June 2022. The exceptional rain fall in March and continued aquifer recharge into mid-May 2023 has thankfully resulted in a change in status to “Recovering Drought, much to the relief of the Affinity Water and the Environment Agency.
Affinity Water has recently changed Ivel catchment classification from drought zone 1 to average. Sadly, Affinity Water seem to rely on such exceptional “GET OUT OF JAIL CARDS”, without any real plan other than continuing to abstract ground water (GW) as much as is legally and / or physically possible every month. For the nine months period of drought experienced in 2022/ 2023 Affinity did not instigate any hosepipe bans instead they continued to pump water from the ground and allowed the river to dry all the way from Baldock to Radwell (acknowledged result of their Drought Plan).

Since 2019, when RevIvel have been highlighting the plight of the chalk headwaters of the Ivel and Affinity Water have been making all the right noises, more water has been taken from the aquifer than ever before!
Consequently, the river Ivel and its associated flora and fauna continues to suffer……..

21 July 2023 0 comment

Latest News

RevIvel on BBC’s Countryfile programme

by membership 7 July 2023

written by membership

Kathryn Mackenzie from RevIvel featured in BBC’s Countryfile programme that was screened on Sunday 18^th June 2023.

The feature about chalk streams mainly focuses on the River Ivel and Affinity Waters over abstraction and includes comments from Affinity Water and Charles Wrangley – Wilson, that many of you will remember as guest speaker at our last Annual General Meeting.

If you didn’t see the programme on the day you can catch up on it at BBC iPlayer at

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001n3b1/countryfile-porthcawl-surf-and-sand

This episode was called Porthcawl Surf and Sand and the chalk steam section starts at 9 minutes 48 seconds in and lasts for about 13 minutes – so you don’t need to watch the whole programme.

Please don’t take too long before you watch it as the programme only lasts until 24^th July 2023 on BBC iPlayer.

7 July 2023 0 comment

Latest News

Water situation report for Upper Ivel – May 2023

by membership 29 June 2023

written by membership

Water situation for Upper Ivel – May 2023
All data presented courtesy of the Environment Agency and Met Office (Crown copy right 2023)

Rainfall:
Early May was unsettled with a succession of frontal systems bringing rainfall to our region between 5th and 11th May. High pressure then dominated the UK weather during the second half of May bringing much drier conditions. Overall rainfall in our catchment reaching 97% of the expected long-term-average (LTA).
The 3-month average (March-May 2023) for our catchment has been 152% (exceptional high) and the six-month average at 113% of LTA.

Monthly rainfall totals for the past 12 months as a percentage of the 1961-1990 LTA

Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD)

The soil moisture deficits [SMD] remained low during the first ten days in May, and the rainfall continued to recharge aquifers. However, with the weather turning dry from the middle of the month, the deficit has risen sharply. The combination of dry weather, vegetation growth, long days and moderately strong winds with low-humidity air has led to the deficit rising by around 3mm per day throughout the second half of the month.

Soil Moisture deficits for week ending 31 May 2023. Data based on weekly MORECS data for real land use and compared to an analysis of historic 1961 – 1990 LTA dataset.

Definitions:
Soil Moisture deficit (SMD) – The difference between the amount of water in the soil and the amount of water that the soil can hold (field capacity).

Ground Water (GW):

With relatively low SMD going into May, the rainfall during the first two weeks of May led to a good recharge response in most boreholes monitoring groundwater levels in East Anglia. Groundwater recharge usually ends earlier in the spring but continued rainfall that has led to aquifer recharge into mid-May. Groundwater levels are now generally normal except in the Norfolk chalk aquifer where the dry summer and slower recharge in the autumn rainfall is still having impact.

Springs and River flows:

The main spring at Ivel Springs in Baldock started to flow on 14th January 2023.
The second spring at the Ivel Springs nature reserve (upstream of culvert) in Baldock started to flow on 1st January 2023. Flow at Blackhorse mill was seen by the end of the first week in January 2023.

Thanks to the continued aquifer recharge into early May, the springs in Baldock, and Radwell continue to flow. Despite the flow at the Ivel Springs, there are no invertebrates (water insect larvae) at the Baldock site due to the drying up of the river between June 2022 –Dec 2022. Chalk stream ecology is adapted to a constant environment and is high intolerant of repeated episode of drying up. Where the Ivel has managed to keep a constant flow of water (below Radwell Mill), aquatic life is flourishing and the RiverFlies team recorded their best ever sample including hundreds of Mayfly larvae. This is a clear indication of the potential of our chalk stream if we can establish a healthy flow regime year-round.

The river Ivel flows are officially measured at Blunham. The river had been low to notable low through the summer but returned to normal during October- January responding directly to significant rainfall events. Heavy rain events in March and early May saw increased flow which returned to Normal by the end of the month (Green Zone).

Reservoir Stocks:

Water from the Ouse is transferred at Offord into Grafham Water reservoir. Recovery of reservoir stocks in Grafham continued during May and by the end of May the reservoir reached 94% full (blue line on graph) which is in line with the normal operating level of 90%+.

End of May 2023 Grafham Water reservoir stock compared to the Normal operating Curve, Drought Curve and 1995-1996 stock levels.

Looking forward:

Recharge of the chalk aquifer relies on the amount of rainfall through the autumn and winter months. Overall, thelast 6 months has seen good recharge conditions with overall 113% of Long-Term Average (LTA).

The Upper Bedford Ouse catchment has been in official drought since end June 2022. The exceptional rain fall in March and continued aquifer recharge into mid-May 2023 has thankfully resulted in a change in status to “Recovering Drought, much to the relief of the Affinity Water and the Environment Agency.
Affinity Water has recently changed Ivel catchment classification from drought zone 1 to average. Sadly, Affinity Water seem to rely on such exceptional “GET OUT OF JAIL CARDS”, without any real plan other than continuing to abstract ground water (GW) as much as is legally and / or physically possible every month. For the nine months period of drought experienced in 2022/ 2023 Affinity did not instigate any hosepipe bans instead they continued to pump water from the ground and allowed the river to dry all the way from Baldock to Radwell (acknowledged result of their Drought Plan).

Since 2019, when RevIvel have been highlighting the plight of the chalk headwaters of the Ivel and Affinity Water have been making all the right noises, more water has been taken from the aquifer than ever before!
Consequently, the river Ivel and its associated flora and fauna continues to suffer……..

29 June 2023 0 comment

Latest News

CountryFile programme.

by membership 13 June 2023

written by membership

CountryFile contacted various chalk stream community groups about a piece on Chalk Streams. Having spoken to RevIvel – and found out all we are doing – they asked RevIvel to take part. The piece is apparently 12 minutes long and is due to be screened 18th June. Charles Rangeley-Wilson will be presenting the substance of the piece with comments from the EA and Affinity Water, however someone from RevIvel will be introducing and concluding the piece. Please also look out for familiar scenes as some of it was filmed in the Ivel Springs Nature Reserve. Picture is of Joe Crowley from CountryFile and Kathryn Mackenzie from RevIvel).

13 June 2023 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts