River Till Monitoring Group
Monitoring today. Protecting tomorrow.
A community-led group working to understand, protect and restore one of Wiltshire’s rare chalk streams.
The River Till is more than a watercourse. It is part of Shrewton’s landscape, ecology and identity — a living system that connects our villages, wildlife, land and future.
3rd July 2026
Wessex Water Business Plan 2025 – 2030: What It Means for the River Till
The River Till Monitoring Group has reviewed aspects of Wessex Water’s Business Plan 2025 – 2030 that are relevant to the River Till catchment, water quality, sewage treatment, and environmental investment in our local area. This summary highlights key commitments, proposed investments, and areas of particular interest to our community and the future health of the River Till.
As local monitoring and environmental stewardship continue to play an important role, we encourage residents and stakeholders to read our overview and consider the implications for Shrewton and the wider Till valley.
► Read our summary of the Wessex Water Business Plan 2025 – 2030 (PDF)
16th June 2026
“Bacterial Contamination of Water in the River Till
Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council has concerns about the water quality in the River Till given the obvious visual decline in plant, fish and invertebrate life in recent years. In May 2026, the PC commissioned a private laboratory to analyse water samples from the village for faecal bacteria.
The early results show that water flowing into the village from the Shrewton direction is heavily contaminated with faecal bacteria It isn’t yet clear what the source of this contamination is, or whether it is predominantly human, or animal, in origin.
As the River Till flows through the village, it is fed by a series of springs coming from the chalk aquifer, diluting the contaminated river water. As the Till leaves the village heading for Berwick St James, the apparent concentration of faecal bacteria drops by half, but the water volume has roughly doubled so the overall number of faecal bacteria is about the same.
As a consequence, anyone having any contact with water from the River Till, for any purpose, is at a high risk of contracting waterborne illnesses. These include gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhoea), ear/eye infections, and skin rashes. The Parish Council urges caution.
13th May River Till
Monitoring Group Meeting Minutes
This meeting marked an important step towards forming an independent community group for the whole River Till catchment. It captures the emerging purpose, priorities and practical actions needed to monitor the river more consistently and connect local evidence with wider environmental work.
Link text: Read the meeting minutes
4th May Meeting & River Till Environmental Report
A clear environmental summary of the River Till’s current pressures, including sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, nutrient levels, seasonal flow and infrastructure concerns. It sets out why the river is so sensitive — and why future planning must take its condition seriously.
Link text: Read the environmental report
Evaluation of Current and Proposed Legislation Protecting Chalk Streams
Chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats in the world — and the River Till shows why general river protection is no longer enough. This report explores how current and proposed legislation affects chalk streams, using the River Till as a local case study.
Link text: Read the full report