Wanted: volunteer Water Wardens
CA-WN needs to establish how many volunteers might be prepared to routinely check the quality of the local freshwater that flows into our rivers and canals.
This map below illustrates in blue our main watercourses, but it doesn’t show the many smaller streams we might come across when out walking in the countryside.
We know too little about the quality of the water in these tributaries and CA-WN is on a mission to map the nitrate, phosphate and acidity levels in our local streams as they vary from month to month, season to season.
Why does it matter
The Rivers Trust 2024 State of our Rivers Report1 assessed that none of England’s river stretches were in good or high overall health.
The graph above shows the breakdown of sectors impacting river health in England. The Rivers Trust found some brilliant projects for improving river health on smaller scales, but when they looked at the national picture, little had changed nationally since their 2019 investigations – farms, wastewater, towns and transport still had the biggest impact. Agriculture contributed towards nearly two thirds of river failures, impacting 2,337 river stretches; the water industry impacted more than half; and urban and transport affected a quarter.
Monitoring water quality in our generally rural area might reveal a similar pattern; that agricultural and rural land management has the greatest impact upon our local ecology. However, as modern farming techniques are more in tune with nature, that may not be the case.
We also know the reputation that water companies have earned from allowing the escape of raw sewage into our watercourses.
And as a region known as the logistics Golden Triangle, run-off from Motorway and Trunk roads might be expected to pollute our local waterways.
If poor water conditions are observed it is important to establish if this had been a one-off event or a regular circumstance. This is why regular monitoring matters.
Can you help?
If you have easy access to a local water course, say from a bridge or a bank where you can be sure not to fall in, please do let us know.
We are anticipating being able to monitor at least a few of our local streams once a month. A simple test of a water sample takes only a few minutes and full training will be given for this altogether worthwhile, ecologically important initiative. Perhaps engage with others concerned for the future of our natural resources and consider forming a small community team to support your local Nature and Climate Champion.