Environment

Keep the Flow Going

Here in Hampshire, we often take for granted something that is actually an incredible luxury: clean water brought directly into our homes. With this precious natural resource available at the turn of a tap, it can be easy to overlook where it comes from. In doing so, we can also forget about leaving a share for nature.

Much of our county’s water comes from a chalk aquifer deep below the ground. Riddled with tiny holes, this rock layer soaks up rain like a giant sponge; once saturated, its cargo re-emerges in the form of springs. Boring holes into the aquifer allows us to draw water from it directly, via a process called 'abstraction'.

But we aren't the only ones using this hidden store: the springs in which the water returns to the surface are the sources of our local chalk streams. Cooled, filtered, and mineralised by the aquifer, this water makes the streams ideal for species like brown trout, water voles, kingfishers, and white-clawed crayfish.

In higher parts of the landscape, where the aquifer rarely fills entirely, stretches of stream can dry out for weeks or months at a time. This natural process is limited to a few areas, and the resident species are suitably adapted. But if the streams artificially run dry over larger stretches, or for longer periods, then their wildlife can really suffer.

Water vole © Terry Whittaker-2020VISION

How you can help

Since water is drawn to meet our demands, we all have the power to reduce our impact. There can be a long delay between water entering the aquifer and it ending up in the streams, so our choices are important even during wetter weather. Luckily, simple tweaks can really add up, and you might save money too!

For many of us, indoor tasks are the most water-hungry. In the bathroom, you could take shorter showers, wash your hair less often, or turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. In the kitchen, you could use a washing-up bowl, put lids on boiling pans, or keep a jug in your fridge for cold water without running the tap.

If you have outdoor space, try digging in compost or laying down mulch to increase your soil’s water retention abilities. Water butts can capture valuable rain, which many plants prefer due to its mild acidity. Choosing drought-resistant species, and watering deeply but infrequently, will help keep your yard or garden green.

You may also be eligible for a home visit from Southern Water. An engineer will drop by to provide advice, check for small leaks, and install water-saving devices – all for free. Depending on your location, you could even win £500 off your bill if you book now.

Learn more at www.hiwwt.org.uk/saveeverydrop

Watering garden plants © Ikostudio