Resources & Reports
River Ivel – WSP Study Report – Flow restoration and water transfer from Grafham Water
This report was commissioned by Affinity Water and Anglian Water to carry out a pre-feasibility modelling study of a ‘Chalk Streams First’ (CSF) proposal by the RevIvel Group to restore flows in the Upper Rivel Ivel by large reductions to the Affinity’s Letchworth chalk groundwater abstractions. The idea is that the associated increases in flow down the Ivel and the Bedford Ouse could then allow increased abstraction from Anglian Water’s Offord intake, roughly 37km downstream, to refill the Grafham Water reservoir.
NOTE – The report author, Rob Soley, has permitted RevIvel to publish the report. Rob has confirmed that the report is now in the public domain and no longer confidential.
Alleviation of over-abstraction of Chalk groundwater in the Upper River Ivel
Earlier in 2022, thanks to your generosity of Reviuvels members and others who very kindly donated we were able to commission the services of John Lawson (a renowned specialist in this field) to conduct a study on the upper Ivel and make recommendations as to how to save our river.
His draft report was discussed in detail at a recent meeting with the Environment Agency (EA) and Affinity Water. John Lawson and Charles Rangeley-Wilson OBE (author, conservationist, and Chair of a national chalk streams restoration group) supported RevIvel at the meeting.
Latest report from the Environmental Agency
Monthly reports on rainfall, soil moisture deficit, river flows, groundwater levels and reservoir levels.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-situation-national-monthly-reports-for-england-2022
Affinity Water Drought Management Plan 2022
https://www.revivel.org/app/uploads/2023/03/Affinity-Water-Draft-Drought-Plan-2022.pdf
Environment Agency has ‘no idea’ how much water is taken, says whistleblower – article in The Guardian
National framework for water resources
Affinity Water Resources Management Plan 2020- 2080
https://www.affinitywater.co.uk/docs/Affinity_Water_Final_WRMP19_April_2020.pdf
Ofwat – PR19 final determinations strategic regional water solutions
Catchment based approach – Chalk stream restoration strategy MAIN FINAL REPORT
The Rivers Trust – chalk streams in crisis
WWF -Chalk Stream Report
http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/wwf_chalkstreamreport_final_lr.pdf
Flushed away – how sewage is still polluting the rivers of England and Wales . A report by WWF in 2017.
https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2017-12/Flushed%20Away__Nov2017.pdf
Water for Wildlife – tackling drought and unsustainable abstraction.A WWF report.