Some of North Herts' chalk streams are among the rarest freshwater habitats in the world, with the council highlighting efforts to protect them from increasing pressure on water resources.

North Herts is home to several chalk streams, including the River Hiz, River Oughton, River Purwell and River Ivel.

There are only around 260 chalk streams worldwide, according to North Herts Council, with approximately 85 per cent found in England.

Hertfordshire alone is home to around 10 per cent of the world's chalk streams, making the county particularly important for their conservation.

The habitats support wildlife including kingfishers, dragonflies, otters, water voles and brown trout, as well as a wide variety of aquatic plants.

North Herts Council works alongside Hertfordshire County Council's Countryside Management Service (CMS), Affinity Water, volunteers and other conservation organisations to monitor and improve the habitats.

Locally, the council and CMS manage sites including Purwell Meadows and Oughtonhead Common, as well as Ivel Springs and Burymead Springs elsewhere in the district.

Work includes conservation grazing, reedbed management, habitat monitoring and wildlife surveys.

Further projects are also planned with CMS and Affinity Water, including work on the River Hiz and River Oughton.

The council says protecting the waterways is becoming increasingly important as prolonged dry periods and pressure on water resources affect river flows and freshwater habitats across Hertfordshire.

Cllr Amy Allen, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: "North Herts is fortunate to be home to rare chalk streams and wetlands that are found in only a handful of places around the world.

"These habitats form part of our natural heritage, help connect people with nature and play an important role in creating resilient landscapes.

"As pressures on water resources continue to grow, looking after these habitats becomes even more important.

"Projects such as those at Ivel Springs show how organisations can work together to improve habitats, support wildlife, and help these rare environments remain resilient for future generations."

One recent example has been the River Ivel Restoration Project at Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve, delivered by Affinity Water during 2023 and 2024.

The project included river restoration work, the creation of an enhanced seasonal wetland and measures designed to support river flows when groundwater levels are low.

Paul Zukowskyj, Hertfordshire County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth, said: "One in ten of all global chalk rivers are found in Hertfordshire. They're a critically vulnerable and beautiful habitat, and we are their custodians.

"Through partnership working, our Countryside Management Service and wider Environment teams are helping to deliver nature recovery projects, restoring these rare habitats, whilst providing residents with access to high-quality green spaces.

"By investing in these habitats today, we are delivering benefits for wildlife, people and the wider environment, as well as safeguarding them for future generations."

Residents are being encouraged to help protect chalk streams by using water wisely, taking litter and dog waste home and respecting riverbanks and sensitive wildlife habitats.