When local authorities assess how development impacts the natural environment, there are various routes to use. One is to produce Water Cycle Studies - these are intended to identify constraints on future development, accounting for factors like flood risk, water supply, wastewater treatment, and the protection of designated sites. In 2022, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council were preparing a new Water Cycle Study as part of an update to their Local Plan.

In the town of Whitchurch, however, the local conservation group had some concerns. They felt that Water Cycle Studies lack the detail needed to fully assess the potential impact on their local chalk stream - the rare and precious Upper Test. Crucially, Borough Councillors had indicated that the chalk aquifer's role in transporting, storing, and attenuating contaminants would not be properly considered. It seemed that more information was needed.

To tackle this, Whitchurch Conservation Group applied for a Watercress and Winterbournes Community Grant to commission an independent review of the 2022 Water Cycle Study. The review was conducted by Archon Environmental, and the wider project was overseen by hydrogeologist David George. Completed in late 2022, the report is now available for everyone to read - let's explore some of the key findings and the actions they spurred in the local community.

Key findings

The report makes an interesting read, and we recommend delving deeper into its findings. But here are some of the key conclusions:

• River flows and groundwater levels are declining in the Upper Test catchment, and this will likely be exacerbated by climate change.
   
• The Upper Test's water quality is being adversely affected by various pressures, but understanding of this is limited by shortfalls in water quality monitoring and analysis.
   
• Nitrate concentrations are increasing in the Upper Test and in the catchment's groundwater. Agriculture appears to be the leading cause, followed by wastewater treatment works.
   
• Phosphorus concentrations are increasing in the Upper Test upstream of Overton, but decreasing downstream of the town. Continuing sources of phosphorus may be historic depositions bound up in sediment, and the Oakley wastewater treatment works.
   
• The Upper Test has been contaminated by various trace organic compounds (TOrCs), including mercury and polybrominated diphenyl.
   
• The ecology of the Upper Test is under stress, as evidence by chemical testing, riverfly census data, and the condition of the River Test Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
   
• There are large evidence gaps due to data being either unavailable or not collected through the current monitoring programmes.
   
• Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's 2022 Water Cycle Study is not fit for purpose and requires significant revision.

Read the full report

Community action

Since its publication, the report has supported various activities in the Whitchurch area. To raise awareness about the impact of phosphate pollution, the findings have been presented to Whitchurch Parish Council and Whitchurch Conservation Group, and a summary has been prepared for local residents. This has sparked discussions about how the community should manage the Upper Test going forwards.

Whitchurch Conservation Group, meanwhile, have used the report to engage with regulators. They have liaised with the Environment Agency regarding the limits of phosphate detection in groundwater. They have also lobbied Natural England to recognise the impact of phosphate on the Upper Test catchment, using a social media campaign and a petition with over 2,000 signatures.

As the report highlighted gaps in the data record for phosphates in the Upper Test, the group have purchased equipment to test the Whitchurch part of the stream for phosphate, nitrate, ammonia, and boron. They also hope to monitor groundwater in the area by testing a series of springs and boreholes. They have applied for funding to expand this testing across the catchment.

Importantly, the report has also been used to effect changes to local authority policies. The findings were presented to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who agreed to delay the adoption of their updated Local Plan for a year, so that further research could be conducted. The council also set up a 'Task and Finish' group to review their Water Cycle Studies.

Cherishing our chalk streams

If you live in the Whitchurch area, why not get involved in caring for the Upper Test? This special habitat needs passionate people to support its present and safeguard its future. If you live by another Test or Itchen headwater, you could still be eligible for a Community Grant from Watercress and Winterbournes - we want to help you take action for your chalk stream!