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<p>The Environment Agency is continuing its work with local water companies to improve
the quality of rivers in Hertfordshire. In 2014 several watercourses showed improvements
in water quality linked to a reduction in polluted surface water outfalls and improved
processes at sewage works. Through local engagement with the agriculture sector, the
Environment Agency is identifying opportunities to reduce agricultural run-off including
fertilizers and pesticides.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Through its Restoring Sustainable
Abstraction programme, the Environment Agency is also seeking to improve flows in
chalk rivers in Hertfordshire. Affinity Water has committed £5 million and the Environment
Agency is also committing significant funds to the project.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Across England, a programme of physical habitat restoration is under way on
these rivers (including the 11 chalk river Sites of Special Scientific Interest that
need restoration). Led jointly by Natural England and the Environment Agency, this
programme involves a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners. Since 2011,
some 70 kilometres of chalk stream have been improved.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Water
company investment has also contributed to substantial reductions in phosphate pollution,
to which chalk streams are particularly sensitive, and additional investment is proposed
to secure further improvements.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency
has changed 46 abstraction licences for ten chalk streams across England. These returned
9.4 million cubic metres year of water back to chalk streams and removed the risk
of another 1.6 million cubic metres per year being taken. This is equivalent to the
average annual domestic water use of 200,000 people, or the approximate population
of Peterborough.</p><p> </p>
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