Welcome

What we are proposing

The River Oughton is an important chalk stream near Hitchin in North Hertfordshire.

It flows northeast between Oughtonhead Common and Oughtonhead Nature Reserve, a well-used and much-loved place within the local community. Since 1966, Affinity Water has operated a facility at Oughton Head to abstract groundwater from the chalk aquifer.

Aquifers provide sources of groundwater and alongside rivers and infrastructure to collect surface water like reservoirs, provide the supply for the UK’s drinking water.

Affinity Water is applying to North Hertfordshire District Council for planning permission for a new building to house a nitrate treatment plant at its Oughton Head site.

Plans for the new building can be viewed here.