1. Research

The bed of a healthy chalk stream should show clear, un-sedimented gravel.

In contrast, the River Itchen at Alresford was dominated by filamentous algae, with some fungal component.

2. Lobbying

In June 2018 we made a formal notification of environmental damage to the Environment Agency (EA), in accordance with the Environmental Liability Directive. This forced the EA to undertake further research into pollution that we suspected was coming from the Bakkavör salad washing plant.

The EA investigation exposed several issues with the site. The monitoring found a suite of pesticides, including Acetamiprid – a neonicotinoid very dangerous to aquatic life – were being washed from the salad leaves and entering the river via the discharge water.

After continued pressure, Bakkavör was required to monitor and report all pesticides which could be present in their discharge.

3. Outcome

In late 2020, rather than invest in the site to prevent the chemical pollution, Bakkavör announced that they would close the salad washing plant at Alresford on the Upper Itchen.