River Lavant

Motion Text

That this House notes that, of the approximately 200 chalk streams in the world, 85% are found in England, and that chalk streams such as the River Lavant represent a globally significant and irreplaceable freshwater habitat, supporting ecosystems that cannot be found elsewhere; further notes with grave concern that Southern Water discharged partially or untreated sewage into the River Lavant for 3,582.9 hours in 2025; also notes the detrimental impact this has on river life, contributing to algal blooms both in the river itself and in Chichester Harbour, into which the River Lavant flows; notes with concern the continued over-abstraction of local waterways, including winterbourne rivers such as the Lavant; further notes with alarm that other local chalk streams in West Sussex, including the River Ems, face similar threats; recognises and commends the vital work of volunteer citizen scientists from the Western Sussex Rivers Trust, who carry out monitoring of river health and water quality; and calls on the Environment Agency to introduce a phosphate permit for the River Lavant, establishing clear, enforceable targets for phosphate reduction.