Protecting the River Ems

GK on site visit

Gillian is working with local councillors, Cllr. Mike Magill, and Cllr. Roy Briscoe, from WSCC and CDC respectively, as well as, the community to reduce the rate of water abstraction from the River Ems, that runs through her constituency.

There is a local community group FOTE, or Friends of the River Ems, which has been established to save the river. If you want to be a friend of the River Ems and its streams, please get involved by signing up as a supporter. Email [email protected]. 

The Ems, one of only about 200 such chalk streams globally.  Currently, water is abstracted by Portsmouth Water from the underground sources of the Ems, this campaign is working to support the communities efforts to support wildlife, rare habitats and an important resource for local people by better understanding the impact of abstraction and bring forward changes to these rates to protect the river.

For more information on FOTE click here.

You may also be interested in

News

River Ems fish surveys, 2021

Results summary of the River Ems Fish Survey On 12th August, 2021 the Environment Agency Solent & South Downs Area's Analysis & Reporting Team carried out two fish population surveys by single-run electric fishing, using a battery powered backpack.

River Ems invertebrate update

Invertebrate monitoring/continuous monitoring on the Ems - from the Environment Agency Invertebrate samples from the lower Ems in Brook Meadows and at a site downstream of Westbourne Augmentation were collected on 24 May 2021.

SSSI enquiry response

Gillian wrote to Natural England to ask for the River Ems to be considered for SSSI designation. Please find the response to her enquiry below: Dear Gillian

JNCC response to SSSI enquiry

Following Gillian's enquiries to the JNCC about designating The River Ems under SSSI status (Site of Special Scientific Interest), they've now responded clarifying their role in SSSI designation.

Local MP and community work to save The River Ems

Gillian, met with community group Friends of the Ems (FoTE) and Portsmouth Water CEO, Bob Taylor on Friday 14th May to discuss the impact of water abstraction of the River. Last year the MP was made aware of the community’s concerns with the rate of abstraction of the River Ems by the area’s local

Gillian and the community work to save The River Ems

Gillian, met with community group Friends of the Ems (FoTE) and Portsmouth Water CEO, Bob Taylor on Friday 14th May to discuss the impact of water abstraction of the River. Last year the MP was made aware of the community’s concerns with the rate of abstraction of the River Ems by the area’s local

Gillian continues work to save The River Ems

Gillian has continued her support for the Friends of the River Ems community campaign this week. In a meeting with the water regulator, Ofwat, on Friday the MP raised her concern with the over-abstraction of the river by Portsmouth Water Company.