News: Pan Parish River Pollution Forum

Villagers attending the Annual Parish Assembly were treated to a presentation on the efforts being made by the Pan-Parish River Pollution Forum to clean up our local rivers - the Test, the Anton and the Dever.

How the campaign began

Geoff Cooper, TVBC Councillor and Lib Dem Candidate in the 2024 General Election, began by explaining why he became involved in the campaign to clean up our rivers.

He could remember from 30 years ago, “every time I drove through Test Valley, my windscreen would be covered in insects, now there are none.”

He was part of the “Fullerton Protest” in 2024, which he described as the “D-Day of action against Southern Water.”

At the time Southern Water were one of the worst companies for sewage dumping. By chance, Cllr Cooper “bumped into” its Chief Executive, Lawrence Gosden. As Cllr Cooper said, “He was quite open. He started to work with us and we began to open up a relationship.”

That relationship was to result in Southern Water funding 15 waterborne measuring devices, called sondes, which were deployed from the source of the Test all the way to Romsey.

Importantly these devices would be under the control of river keepers, and the data from them would be to Environment Agency standards and would be publicly available.

Granting rights to rivers

Cllr Cooper explained how,in 2025, he proposed a motion at TVBC, seconded by Cllr Janet Burnage, to recognize the rights of all rivers. This was approved unanimously by the Council.

He explained that it was legally possible to “give personage to a non-person” but that the rights which that entailed would be weighed against the rights of people. He said “it is another weapon in our armoury.”

He then introduced Seth Crosswaite, whom he credited with introducing the use of the sonde measuring devices.

Threats to the river

Seth Crosswaite is a river keeper at Houghton Lodge and also fishes on the river. He has been visiting the Test since childhood and has been active in fighting pollution.

He made it clear that sewage isn’t the only problem the river faces.

He gave the example of the Blue-winged Olive fly, found throughout the British Isles in streams and rivers of all kinds. They are an important food source for trout, and an indicator of the health of the river.

He explained that they lay eggs in a tiny bag, which protects them. Phosphates leaching from farmland into the river dissolve those bags, reducing the number of Olives that hatch.

He also mentioned dog flea treatments - over-the-counter preparations which when released from their fur or from bedding when it is washed, are a threat to songbirds, fish and other aquatic animals.

The government is currently running an eight-week consultation on letting only veterinary practitioners dispense these treatments.

Deploying the sondes

Mr Crosswaite described how closely the river keepers had been involved in the project. At first, given Southern Water’s reputation, some were reluctant. He had managed to convince them though, and pointed out that “we chose every site we wanted.”

There are currently fifteen sondes upstream of Romsey, and four downstream. They cover the Test, the Anton and the Dever.

Southern Water funded the new sondes and are committed to maintaining the equipment. They have set aside a budget.

He described the measurements that the sondes make. These include

• Water temperature
• Conductivity
• pH - which is a measure of acidity and alkalinity
• Ammonium
• The clarity of the water
• The levels of oxygen

“If we get a spike in the wrong direction,” he said, “the devices will send a message to the river keepers, even in the middle of the night.”

On the introduction of the sondes he said “We think this is the first time this has been done in this country.”

Salmon and gravel

The Atlantic Salmon, whose numbers have been falling, need clean gravel in which to lay their eggs and good levels of oxygen in the water.

Mr Crosswaite described how gravel had been extracted from the river at times, changing the effective height of the river, and depleting the salmon breeding grounds.

Southern Water are funding clean gravel sites. They are working with bodies such as the Wessex Rivers Trust to expand these important habitats.

Questions

Impact on wildlife

A resident asked “Is it too early to detect any changes in insect life?”.

Mr Crosswaite, replying, said, on the day of the Fullerton Protest, Southern Water stopped dumping sewage from the Water Treatment Works there. Following that he said “The river, from below the Mayfly is looking in good shape.”

Kick samples were taken from the river immediately after the switch-off. These measure the amount of insect life in the river. Where there had been no life in the river, there is now life back in it.

Over-pumping

Another resident asked whether water companies will stop “over-pumping” - the transfer of foul water to the river.

Geoff Cooper said “There’s a misconception amongst the public that water companies are like ‘Bond Villains’, with a white cat on their lap and a big red button which they press to release the sewage. The regulators have given them too much of a loose leash. Water companies are trying not to over-pump. Southern Water are making changes: they want to make a difference and make water better.”

Viewing the data

When asked how the public could view the data generated by the sondes, Cllr Cooper replied that they hoped to have a portal available at the PPRPF website. It’s not ready yet, but he said “the data has to be made publicly available.”

Chilbolton as part of the team

Cllr David Hall, Chair of CPC, said “We’re pleased and proud to be involved with PPRPF. We also have some issues with Southern Water [related to] upgrading infrastructure.”

He suggested that another public meeting be held in the future, with an update from the sondes, and representation from Southern Water.

He thanked Cllr Cooper and Mr Crosswaite warmly for their presentation, and they were enthusiastically applauded by the audience.