2025 AUTUMN UPDATE

River Status After at least 18 months with the whole river system fully in water the recent dry period and lack of rain (along with the increased public water supply abstraction) has resulted in a large section of the river drying out - along with the Fulbourn New Cut. We hope the autumn will see a recovery soon.

National Changes The Cunliffe Water Commission reported earlier this year and recommended the abolition of OFWAT and formation of a new body with wide responsibility for all aspects of water management. This will take in elements of the Environment Agency, Natural England, Drinking Water Inspectorate and OFWAT responsibilities. What this will mean for overall strategy, and particularly the environment, remains to be seen but for now it is business as usual.

Drought Several areas of the country have declared formal droughts and have introduced hosepipe bans. As yet there is no sign of Cambridge Water Company doing this. We have previously commented on their drought plans as being too insensitive to environmental damage - unlike a reservoir you can't see what is happeneing to groundwater or the underlying aquifer!

Water Testing In June we repeated our water quality survey and, as expected found higher concentrations of contaminants. None were "reportable" but we wouldn't recommend drinking the water!. We hope to continue this in a limited focussed way and our second detailed report is available on the document page (CLICK HERE)

Rivers Of Film Festival Cambridge Past Present and Future are sponsoring a film festival about rivers - this will take place 23rd Sept to 4th October. Nigel kinns made a film of our second water quality survey - and we believe this will be shown on Sunday 28th September at Pembroke College. Details are on the related website (CLICK HERE)