The Last Drop

Water is a scarce resource. Did you know, for example, that only 1.2% of all the water on the planet is available freshwater? The rest occurs as saline water in our oceans, locked up in ice caps and permafrost (although perhaps not for much longer) or as water hidden in rocks and sediments underground. When there are issues with our freshwater resources such as pollution, over abstraction or flooding, this has a big impact on all forms of life.

We are seeing many of these issues in our own city and surrounds. Pollution of the Itchen River from wastewater, recurrent flooding in some areas and over abstraction from our rivers requiring new schemes to treat wastewater to a high quality and pump this treated water to be used as water supply (Havant Thicket Reservoir). One of the local community groups campaigning for change are The Friends of Itchen Estuary. Last year they undertook a citizen science project, sampling the Itchen river at various points and times. They are continuing this work this year and are working with many local groups to ensure the Itchen Estuary is clean enough to bathe in. If you would like to help out please drop them a line at friendsofitchenestuary@gmail.com

If you want to find out more about the water cycle, how climate change is impacting it and how some countries are already addressing these challenges then pop in to October Books and pick up a copy of Tim Smedley’s book, The Last Drop, which is now out in paperback. Or, if you’d prefer to simply savour our water courses then pick up a copy of Clare’s Station Walks book, as many of the walks are alongside our water courses.