A prominent figure in the UK has been fined £28,000 for exceeding the allowed water extraction from a chalk stream during a drought. Ilchester Estate, owned by Charlotte Townshend, took more water than permitted from the Dorset Frome chalk stream, as reported by the Environment Agency (EA). This breach resulted in the extraction of over three Olympic-size swimming pools’ worth of water from the stream.
Chalk streams, such as the river Frome, are rare globally, with only 200 existing in the world. They are known for their mineral-rich water and serve as vital habitats for wildlife. Ilchester Estate holds a license to extract water from the stream to supply buildings and lands on the estate. However, an investigation by the EA revealed that between December 2022 and July 2023, the estate exceeded its water extraction allowance by approximately 7,500 cubic meters.
Carolyn Lane, a senior environment officer at the EA, emphasized the ecological sensitivity of chalk streams and the importance of adhering to extraction limits. She stated that the estate’s actions likely caused harm to the river and its surrounding environment. The EA had previously cautioned Ilchester Estate about over-abstracting water in 2018. As a consequence of the investigation, the estate was mandated to pay a monetary penalty of £19,777.69, along with additional costs of £8,298.60 to the EA.
In response to the incident, Ilchester Estate expressed regret for the breach and highlighted increased investment in water infrastructure to minimize leaks and enhance daily monitoring of water abstraction. Moreover, the estate affirmed its dedication to safeguarding and improving the natural environment under its management. As a significant landowner and steward of wildlife, Ms. Townshend, also the owner of Abbotsbury Swannery, plays a crucial role in conservation efforts in the UK
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