Recent surveys of the River Ems have discovered a shocking drop in the number of invertebrate species living in the river, as well as sewage fungus on the riverbed.
There are only around 200 chalk streams in the world, with 80% found in the UK. The waters of these important rivers, like the Ems, provide a precious habitat for invertebrates and fish to thrive, as well as a diverse variety of plants. However recent droughts and the increase in sewage are threatening to destroy this beautiful river and the wildlife who live here.
Our Chalk Stream Resilience Officer for the River Ems, Sarah Hughes, is part of a local group carrying out monthly riverfly surveys at Walderton. Sarah explains the importance of these surveys:
“The River Ems is a globally unique and locally precious chalk stream which provides a home for rare and special wildlife. However in recent years we have seen longer, hotter summers and more pollution take its toll on the creatures who rely on this river for their home and food.
Monthly surveys of riverfly populations in the river give us a good indicator of how the water quality is doing. However, water levels in this lovely stream have depleted over the years and most summers part of the river now dries up completely, having devastating effects on fish and invertebrate species.”
Dr Alison Barker is also part of the surveying group and recently discovered worryingly low numbers of river life in her April survey: “I was very sad to report that my recent survey was depressingly short of invertebrate life compared to this time last year. Last April we counted 216 cased caddisflies, this year shockingly there was only one. Similarly last year at this time we counted 118 mayflies and 164 stoneflies, compared to this April only three mayflies and 2 stoneflies. Staggering evidence of the negative impacts this river is experiencing.
The bed of the river is now covered in a brownish algal mass that we suspect is sewage fungus.This, along with the drier weather causing the river to run-dry, is killing river life which once thrived here. It’s not ok and we all need to do our bit to help protect this precious river and the wildlife who live here.”
With Water Saving Week in May helping raise awareness of the importance of being careful with our own water use every day, we can also help our local rivers like the Ems by making sure any off-mains sewage systems are working properly and effectively.
In rural areas some homes and businesses are not connected to the main sewer network and instead rely on "off-mains" sewage systems like cesspits, septic tanks and sewage treatment plants. If you have an off-mains sewage system on your property, there are laws that you must follow. Failure to do so could result in enforcement action from your Local Authority or the Environment Agency.
Beyond your legal responsibilities, managing your system properly can improve its efficiency, reduce the risk of costly faults and most importantly help you to protect the environment and rivers like the Ems so riverfly and other wildlife can flourish again.
Find out more at - https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/blog/hiwwt/quick-guide-off-mains-sewage-systems