The Thames water pumping station at Axford, nr Newbury, in Berkshire is causing severe damage to the ecology of the River Kennet, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The River is based on chalkland so any variations in the aquifer can cause damage to the habitats of species such as Water Crowfoot, water voles, river lampray, and brown trout. The pumping stattion at Axford currently abstracts 9.4 million litres of water a day, with a yearly licence for 4,049,000 cubic metres. 85% of this is pumped out of the catchment area for domestic and industrial use in Swindon, so is lost from the river system. Both Natural England and the World Wildlife Fund have condemed current abstraction levels from the Kennet as the cause of habitat destruction. The water licence is up for review in 2011, but as demand is increasing the chances for the Kennet are slim.
Earlier this summer fences to the compound at Axford were cut. To avoid the door and window alarms on the main pump facility air vents were removed and access was gained through the walls. The pumps were stopped and control room trashed. The back up generator was decomissioned and control pannels smashed. Locks on fluridation units were glued. This action was taken in defence of the River Kennet and the species that live there. Defend your local river system.
Earlier this summer fences to the compound at Axford were cut. To avoid the door and window alarms on the main pump facility air vents were removed and access was gained through the walls. The pumps were stopped and control room trashed. The back up generator was decomissioned and control pannels smashed. Locks on fluridation units were glued. This action was taken in defence of the River Kennet and the species that live there. Defend your local river system.
Comments
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Purpose of this?
05.11.2010 15:10
Where do you propose local people get their water from? Import it from elsewhere in the country which obviously requires more energy and thus more output of greenhouse gases? Should locals just rely on bottled water water driven all the way from Wales or Scotland?
You've committed an action without specifying solutions and outcomes. What is your aim? To 'save the local river' is incredibly short sighted, especially when you are failing to look at the bigger picture.
An observer
bring it on
05.11.2010 16:02
ram dass
An infantile act of vandalism
08.11.2010 19:30
Such "defensive action" will have no positive effect on the river system... It certainly wouldn't sway any decision on abstraction license levels which may be under review! I fail to see what "decommissioning a generator" has to do with the protection of habitats...
Also did you take into account the vulnerable people which may have been affected... you say it supplies the town of Swindon... Well I'm sure there are hospitals, care homes and schools which rely on this water!
One final point, Thames Water invest substantial amounts of money in protecting and improving our environment and I'm sure the cost of your vandalism could have been spent elsewhere doing just that!
Observer