Southern Water's Bid to Draw from Rare River Test Sparks Outcry from Conservationists and Campaigners

Published: 06 July ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

A storm of protest is brewing over Southern Water’s recent application for a drought order that would allow it to draw increased volumes of water from the River Test in Hampshire—one of the world’s rarest chalk streams and a critical habitat for endangered species such as wild salmon and otters. The request, submitted to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, has sparked widespread concern among environmental campaigners, anglers, and conservationists who fear irreversible ecological damage.

Southern Water is seeking to temporarily amend the flow limits specified in its existing abstraction licence, lowering the threshold from 355 to 265 megalitres per day. This would allow the utility to continue extracting water even when the river’s flow falls to levels deemed unsafe by ecological standards. Scientists and campaigners warn that if the flow dips that low, it could take years for the river to recover—if at all—potentially suffocating aquatic life due to decreased oxygen levels and damaging fish spawning cycles.

The River Test is internationally recognised as a unique and fragile chalk stream—one of only 200 globally, with 85% located in England. These rivers are celebrated for their crystal-clear waters, mineral richness, and biodiversity comparable to that of tropical rainforests. Environmental groups say permitting greater water abstraction at a time of low flow would devastate this delicate ecosystem.

Former Undertones frontman and prominent water campaigner Feargal Sharkey called on the environment secretary to block the application without delay. “The River Test is the world’s premier chalk stream. It is home to wild Atlantic salmon, now on the endangered list, and Southern Water’s application would reduce the river’s flow by a third. That’s not conservation—it’s an ecological death sentence,” he said.

The Angling Trust also voiced alarm, with head of campaigns Stuart Singleton-White noting the predictability of the drought. “We knew this was coming. After the 2022 drought, it was only a matter of time. Yet water companies have done little to prepare. No new reservoirs. No serious effort to fix chronic leaks. And now they want to raid one of our most precious rivers to fill the gap,” he said.

The issue goes beyond Hampshire. Yorkshire Water has submitted similar drought orders and permit applications for the River Ouse and 14 other water bodies. The wider water industry, already under criticism for excessive executive pay, pollution scandals, and failure to invest in infrastructure, now faces renewed scrutiny over its long-term planning and environmental stewardship.

Southern Water insists the application follows strict legal processes and would only come into play if river flows fall below the current limit. A spokesperson said that the company continues to monitor levels and noted that public cooperation and leak management are currently helping to maintain supply without triggering emergency extraction. However, the company also acknowledged that broader solutions such as new reservoirs, water recycling schemes, and inter-regional transfers are needed to ensure long-term resilience.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the secretary of state will make a decision on the drought order “in due course,” as consultations and assessments continue.

But for critics and local residents alike, the fear is that irreversible decisions are being made under the pressure of immediate drought, without adequate safeguards for the environment. As southern England faces increasing water stress in a changing climate, the River Test has become a symbolic battleground over the balance between public utility and natural preservation. Whether the government will step in to protect this rare river remains to be seen—but the call for intervention is growing louder by the day.