Sharon Moat gave a talk highlighting the plight of chalk streams and the importance of ensuring their restoration and preservation. Many present were aware that Ashwell Springs are the source of the river Rhee and are also a Site of Special Scientific Importance. Since the 1970s an augmentation scheme has been in place for Ashwell Springs, meaning that abstraction here is linked to the flow of the river. RevIvel are campaigning for a similar scheme to be introduced to protect the head waters of the Ivel.
Sharon highlighted that there are 2 main issues facing chalk streams, pollution and over abstraction.