Wednesdays Cheshire West Climate Emergency Task Force Meeting was Ocean Health, aligned to Council’s Notice of Motion. Cheshire is at a critical juncture in balancing environmental protection, wildlife conservation, and industrial development. The council and task force discussions highlighted both the progress and the challenges in safeguarding our rivers, estuaries, and coastal habitats.
Environmental Impact and Wildlife Considerations
The proposed Mersey Tidal Barrage remains a key area of focus. Experts caution that a fixed barrage could significantly impact wildlife, particularly bird species that feed on intertidal mudflats. Charlotte Harris, Chief Executive at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, emphasized that upstream flooding and pollutant recirculation are potential risks depending on the barrage’s design.
The council plans to engage with wildlife stakeholders, including Mersey Counters, RSPB, and the Marine Management Organisation, to ensure robust evaluation before decisions are made. Jennifer Kelly, Head of Sustainability at Chester Zoo, highlighted Cheshire West and Chester’s unique responsibility, with two internationally recognized marine protected areas under its jurisdiction.
Balancing industrial decarbonization ambitions—particularly around Stanlow, with wildlife protection is another priority. Coordination with Liverpool City Region and commercial river users is planned to fully assess the barrage’s implications.
River Pollution: Findings and Future Directions
The River Pollution Task Group, active from July 2022 to January 2023, identified major sources of river pollution:
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Agricultural runoff: ~40%
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Untreated sewage: ~35%
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Urban runoff: ~18%
Key pollutants include ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS chemicals. While the council’s 2023 attempt to designate part of the River Dee as bathing water was unsuccessful, a community-led resubmission is underway for 2025 in which Eco Communities took part supporting and counting. The council aims to replicate the Dee’s citizen science monitoring successes in other rivers, like the River Weaver, where untreated sewage spills pose public health risks.
A critical environmental concern is the acid tar lagoon near Chester Zoo, leaking 60,000 tonnes of toxic waste into an aquifer. The Environment Agency is overseeing clean up efforts and will provide written updates to the council.
Strengthening Water Quality Oversight
The Environment Agency has ramped up regulation, particularly in agriculture and water industry compliance. Jane Hamilton, Catchment Coordinator, reported that inspections have increased dramatically, from 142 over four years to 513 in the past 12 months, enhancing oversight of pollution incidents. The agency also promotes catchment partnerships and citizen science to monitor water quality, emphasizing public reporting as a vital tool.
Concerns remain about insufficient input from the agency in planning new intensive farms, a gap Jane agreed to address through closer coordination with planning teams.
Water Companies’ Initiatives and Challenges
Both Welsh Water and United Utilities are making significant investments to reduce pollution and improve river health:
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Welsh Water focuses on storm overflow management, phosphorus reduction, and community engagement. Their near-real-time online map allows the public to track overflows within an hour. Recent upgrades include a £7.5 million improvement at Neston Water Treatment Works.
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United Utilities has invested over £3 billion since the 1970s to restore the Mersey from a “dead river” to moderate ecological status. Current projects include upgrading 24 combined sewer overflows and collaborating with community groups for citizen science testing. They also promote agricultural interventions to reduce phosphorus runoff and educational campaigns on proper wastewater disposal.
Both utilities highlight challenges in linking new housing developments to aging combined sewer systems, stressing the need for early planning engagement and surface water management.
Strategic Collaboration and Next Steps
The council and task forces agreed on the importance of integrating existing workstreams, increasing public engagement, and accelerating river pollution scrutiny. Key priorities include:
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Coordinating with catchment partnerships and citizen science programs to maximize impact.
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Accelerating phase two of river pollution investigations to cover additional rivers and the Mersey estuary within the next 18 months.
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Engaging key stakeholders—including RSPB, Mersey Rivers Trust, and Liverpool City Region representatives—on the tidal barrage and marine protections.
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Sharing resources and contact points for community participation and upcoming council meetings.
The next focus will be on housing development impacts and continued evaluation of the Mersey Tidal Barrage, ensuring local communities and environmental groups remain part of the conversation.
