Skip to contentBack to top of pageThames Water logoThames Water logo
Skip to contentBack to top of page
Thames Water logoThames Water logo
Home
About us
Environment
Working in partnership
Environmental organisations
Chalk stream flagships

Chalk stream flagships

Chalk streams are globally important, unique, and diverse habitats. There are only 260 chalk rivers worldwide, 85% of those are located in the UK. Chalk streams are an invaluable part of our natural heritage but they are at risk due to a number of factors. We’re working in partnership on our chalk stream flagship restoration projects to tackle this. Together, we show what a collaborative, catchment-based approach can achieve for these streams.

This initiative was launched from the CaBA Chalk Stream Restoration Strategy Implementation Plan. A network of flagship restoration projects has been established nationally. It aims to show what is possible when catchment partners work together to deliver river restoration at a catchment level.​

We’re proud to support our flagship chalk stream restoration projects. This includes the River Chess in the Chilterns, and the River Pang in West Berkshire. For both, a partnership-led model is in place to deliver restoration plans from 2025 to 2035. We've used this approach for the Chess since 2020 through our Smarter Water Catchments Programme. Now, both projects are in the delivery phase, with some exciting plans already underway.

River Chess
Stakeholders at Latimer Park
Chalk stream

1. Our work in the Chess

The River Chess is situated in the Chilterns National Landscape.

Over 500 hectares of habitat and 8km of watercourse have been created or improved since 2020. This was achieved through the Chess Smarter Water Catchment. We'll keep working with local communities to implement the Chalk Stream Restoration Plan.

Find further information at the dedicated Chess partnership website.

Map showing River Chess and River Pang chalk streams
River Pang

2. Our work in the Pang

The River Pang is a tributary of the River Thames, in West Berkshire.

The Pang Flagship Chalk Stream Partnership was established in 2022. It brings together local partners and communities. Together, they aim to develop and deliver a restoration strategy. This focuses on conserving and improving the health of the River Pang and Sulham Brook catchments.

Find further information at the dedicated Pang partnership website.