Upper Mill and Horse Pond Repairs

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council have been carrying out maintenance to Horse Pond and Upper Mill Pond in Ewell to improve the waterflow and biodiversity in the Hogsmill River. 

Large scale sheet piling is being installed to the banks at Upper Mill Pond to prevent leakages. While at Horse Pond, repairs are being made following the damage from leaks and the removal of the weir. 

To make the repairs to Horse Pond it was necessary to lower the water level, making the pond very shallow. To maintain and enhance the pond’s wildlife the team have extracted the silt from the pond.

The work on both ponds is critical in ensuring waterflow to the Hogsmill River. The Hogsmill River is a chalk spring fed river, one of only 200 worldwide. Chalk spring fed rivers are an internationally important habitat that support a unique collection of animal and plant life.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has a ‘Biodiversity Duty’ under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006 and the Environment Act 2021 to carry out this work and ensure this precious habitat can continue to flourish.