Basingstoke MP Maria Miller met with Thames Water for an update on water quality. Maria met with Kenny Masters, Operations Performance Manager and Nikki Hines Regional Representative.

Maria Commented;

“It was good to meet Thames Water following the recent Water Framework Directive Report update. I had confirmation that Thames Water are working well within consent levels for discharge into the Loddon as a result of the innovative approach being used in Basingstoke. An infestation of American Crayfish in the Loddon River has damaged the population of course fish and has led to the River being classed as “poor”. The population of trout does however continue to thrive. 

“It was good to hear the Thames Water Basingstoke Thermal Hydrolysis plant is generating 30 megawatts of power per day-which is enough to power 6000 homes on a daily basis.”

“Chalk streams like the River Loddon in Basingstoke are a rare and ecologically valuable habitat. For more than 10 years I have worked with the organisations that have responsibilities to closely monitor our water quality and habitat.  We will always need to do more to protect these water courses from unsustainable abstraction and sources of pollution.”