The Partnership

The Downs and Habours Clean Water Partnership is taking action to tackle diffuse water pollution issues affecting the quality of ground, surface and coastal waters in West Sussex and East Hampshire. The Partnership is focused on reducing the amount of polluting nutrients, particularly nitrate, currently entering the water environment. 

Working Towards a Cleaner Water Environment
Press the links below to find out more:
Free Farmer Support
Free Advice & Grants for Farmers and Landowners to protect water quality + Farmer Working Groups
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 Biodiversity Grants
Find out about the Portsmouth Water Biodiversity Grant Scheme

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED for 2022/23
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Free Online Resources
Research Reports, recorded workshops and workshop summaries

 
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Contact us
Contact information & the meet the team page


 
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Equine Information
Support and information specifically for Equestrian Establishments
 
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Other Partnerships
Other Partnerships in the area providing support to landowners and farmers with the aim of protecting water quality
 
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NEWS

DHCWP Spring Newsletter 2022

19th April 2022,

PRESS THE ICON ABOVE to view the Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnerships most recent update.

Undersowing Maize Trial Report

19th April 2022,

PRESS THE ICON ABOVE to view S.Woodley Crop Services Whitewool Farm Undersowing Maize Trial Report.

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Carbon & Nutrient Management Project

April 2022,

PRESS THE ICON ABOVE to read about the Collaborative Carbon & Nutrient Management Project.

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The Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership is a forward-thinking initiative between Portsmouth Water, Catchment Sensitive Farming and the Environment Agency. 
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Partnership Aims 

 The partnership aims to:

  • Protect and improve the water quality for all by safeguarding groundwater sources used for public water supply.

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  • Reduce pressures on the ecology of local rivers such as the Meon, Wallington, Ems and both River Lavants.

 

  • Reduce algal growth in the Portsmouth, Chichester, Langstone Harbours and Rive Hamble estuary. 

 
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Partnership Area

The Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership project area runs from east of Southampton to Bognor Regis. The area includes vital rivers, public water supply aquifers and coastal areas.

The Geology of the area is unique due to the Karstic nature of the Chalk Aquifer.
We aim to ensure that the rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal waters of East Hampshire and West Sussex are protected and improved for current and future generations to enjoy.
Public Water Supply Aquifer

Portsmouth Water abstracts groundwater found within the Chalk rock (aquifer) of the South Downs to supply public drinking water in the area.

 

Around 85% of the water comes directly from groundwater, sourced from boreholes or springs, with the remaining 15% being derived from the River Itchen - itself being groundwater fed.

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Coastal areas

These include:

  • Portsmouth Harbour - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) & RAMSAR

  • Langstone Harbour - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

  • Chichester Harbour - Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 

  • Chichester & Langstone Harbours - Special Protection Area (SPA) & RAMSAR Solent Maritime - Special Area of Conservation (SAC).


These semi-enclosed harbours are particularly affected by the excessive algal growth resulting from elevated nitrate levels in water and estuarine sediments. As a consequence, large areas of coastal SSSI and Natura 2000 sites in the Eastern Solent are in unfavourable and declining condition.

Rivers

Rivers in the Downs and Harbours area are predominently fed or influenced by groundwater. These rivers are the:

  • Hamble

  • Meon

  • Wallington

  • Lavant (Hants)

  • Ems

  • Lavant (West Sussex)

  • Lavant

  • Aldingbourne, Pagham and other rifes