More news...

Oct 5, 2022
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn
On 3rd October, we received a call from Thames Water telling us they had detected a spike in ammonia levels in the effluent from the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works.
Jun 24, 2021
Category: HS2
Posted by: Kathryn

New information from HS2/Align indicates a much greater risk of aquifer contamination than previously admitted. 

Mar 21, 2021
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn

Daily sewage releases into the river could continue into May, but work is underway to tackle groundwater infiltration into Chesham's sewers which is big contributor to this problem.

Feb 26, 2021
Category: Pollution
Posted by: Kathryn

In March, Thames Water is beginning work to fix groundwater infiltration hotspots in Chesham's sewers. 

News Archive 2011

Concern Deepens for the Dry Chess

Dec 22, 2011

The unusually dry weather continued into November, bringing bad new for the river.

October was Desperately Dry

Nov 11, 2011

River flow and groundwater levels continue to decline thanks to an unseasonably dry October.

Speak Out Against Sewage

Nov 3, 2011

Please help us by sending a letter to DEFRA Minister, Richard Benyon MP, to call for an end to raw sewage releases.

Call for Earlier Drought Action

Nov 3, 2011

The River Chess Association has called upon the Environment Agency to take earlier action to tackle droughts.

Action To Tackle Poaching

Oct 29, 2011

Following poaching on the River Chess, we welcome the Angling Trust's Seven Point Plan to tackle poaching.

Voles Bounce Bank

Oct 19, 2011

Once decimated by mink, the Chess water vole population has completed its comeback thanks to a local recovery project.

Chess Fishing Alert

Sep 28, 2011

A stretch of the Chess has been emptied of almost all its resident fish - please be on the look out for people acting suspiciously along the river.

Wet August, Dry River

Sep 12, 2011

The Environment Agency's latest water situation report tells a tale of heavy rainsall and low flows in our area.

Decline in Fly Life Detected

Sep 8, 2011

The riverly populations at a Chesham stretch of the river are declining, but what's the cause?

Tribute to Stephen Webster

Aug 11, 2011

A  talented musician, exceptional fisherman, enthusiastic entomologist, environmentalist and family man will be greatly missed. Our committee member, Stephen Webster, passed away at the weekend.

Storm Water Discharges Kill Fish

Jun 22, 2011

"Storm water" discharges into rivers, which includes untreated sewage, kills thousands of fish - this could happen on the Chess.

A Dry May for the Chess

Jun 18, 2011

As the dry spell continued in May, groundwater levels fell below normal and the source of the Chess moved further downstream.

Out of Site, Out of Mind?

Jun 17, 2011

This week, the Chesham Society hosted a talk on the plight of Chesham's culvert. David Watts from the Environment Agency spoke about the current condition of the culvert, which runs through Chesham's town centre, and plans for its future.

Come to Our May Public Meeting

May 4, 2011

The RCA is holding its spring public meeting at Loudwater Farm on Tuesday 24th May and all are welcome.

Make Rivers A Priority

Mar 16, 2011

The RCA is supporting the Our Rivers campaign to make rivers a priority for the coalition government.

February Water Update

Mar 16, 2011

The Environment Agency's Water Situation Report for February 2011 shows a decent month for rainfall, but overall the winter period has been drier than average.

Recharge Gets Going

Feb 9, 2011

The latest Water Situation Report produced by the Environment Agency shows that January was a good month for water levels in the Chess.

Illegal Traps Kill Water Voles

Jan 3, 2011

Illegal crayfish traps have killed water voles on the upper reaches of the Chess. The unauthorised traps were detected in Chesham by the Environment Agency.