The River Ver is a hugely treasured asset in St Albans. It is a jewel in the city's environment. It is also a globally rare chalk stream, powered by pure, mineral-rich water that sustains valuable plants and wildlife, and feeds Verulamium Lake.

But Affinity Water takes 28 million litres from it every single day. As a result, the river is much lower than it should be - about half as low in fact. And it often runs completely dry in long sections.

Affinity don't need to take this water. They lose 160m litres a day in leaks. And they missed their target for fixing them last year. Yet they made £35m profit. They also refuse to bring in water saving measures like a hosepipe ban.

All they have to do is make a few efficiency measures and spend a bit more on fixing leaks. Then they can completely stop taking water from the Ver.

The Council has plans to improve the lake and river in the park and beyond. But without enough water, the plan will fail.

Affinity's new CEO has the power to fix this problem. Show him you care, and that you demand he takes action. Click to add your name to the petition.