South Downs National Park strengthens commitment to water as new report is published - South Downs National Park Authority
The South Downs National Park is making a renewed call to action to improve the health of our rivers, streams and seas as a major new report is published today.
The “Water In The Park” report is the first of its kind for the National Park and shines a stark spotlight on the state of waterways across the South Downs region.
The key finding is that most bodies of water are failing to meet good ecological standards, with an overall decline from 2014 to 2022. The study covers six river catchment partnerships across a vast swathe of Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey, revealing that 90 per cent of rivers and lakes are not achieving good status (under the Water Framework Directive).
Meanwhile, 75 per cent of estuaries and coastal waters are not meeting good ecological status – which is a benchmark for a healthy ecosystem that can support a balanced range of plants and animals. Some 55 per cent of groundwaters are also not achieving good status.
The reasons are many and complex and mirror a broader national picture, including sewage discharges, nitrates and phosphates, pesticides, physical barriers on watercourses, invasive species and urban pollution from roads.
The National Park Authority is now calling on partners, landowners, businesses, local councils and communities to come together to find long-term solutions that will help improve water quality and management, kickstarting nature recovery and bringing benefits to all.
The call to action comes as the National Park Authority is finalising its Partnership Management Plan (PMP) – which lays out priorities for the National Park for the next five years – and further strengthening its commitment to water.
Posted On: 12/09/2025
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