There are only around 200 chalk streams and rivers in the world, creating a habitat as unique as the Amazonian rainforest or Great Barrier Reef.
Over a quarter are right here in East Anglia. These rare habitats, including the Cam, are home to a rich array of native plants and animals, including brown trout, water voles, kingfishers, otters and swans.
Why are chalk streams under threat?
Your drinking water – all of the water you use at home, from your taps to toilets – is supplied by local aquifers. These are the same groundwater sources that supply our chalk streams and rivers.
The more we all use, the greater the pressure on our aquifers, which in turn places greater pressure on chalk streams. Without changing the way we use water, these beautiful English landscapes could be damaged and even lost forever.
Why is Cambridge ‘water stressed*’?
Cambridgeshire is one of the country’s driest regions. Climate change models predict temperatures hotter than the national average, while Met Office projections show record low rainfall of 1.9mm a day – less than anywhere else in the UK.
With less rain, hotter weather, a growing population and rising modern water usage, our local groundwater sources – which also feed our chalk streams and rivers – are under pressure like never before.
To tackle these issues, the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group was set up in 2023. You can read about the group’s approach and progress here.
What can I do?
Just one thing – check your loos for leaks once a month. And if you find a leak, fix it as quickly as possible. Together, we can save our chalk streams for generations to come.
How to check your loos >