Public Joins Initiative to Monitor UK Rivers Amid Cuts to Environmental Oversight and Growing Pollution Concerns

This month, the general public will participate in monitoring rivers for sewage and other forms of pollution as part of an initiative to assess the health of British waterways. Recent cuts to UK regulators and new legislation allowing water companies to self-monitor pollution have led to a significant reduction in independent oversight of river conditions.

During the UK’s membership in the EU, stringent regulations mandated detailed pollution analyses and annual reporting, but since 2019, such surveys have ceased. The current Conservative government has also been deregulating environmental protections, and the Labour government has yet to clarify its stance on maintaining or reversing these changes.

In response to the lack of independent monitoring, “citizen scientists” have stepped up their efforts to investigate pollution levels in rivers across the UK. The Rivers Trust has developed an app as part of its Big River Watch campaign, encouraging community members to spend 15 minutes by their local river and complete a survey.

This survey aims to gather data on river health by asking participants about local wildlife, signs of pollution, and the impact of rivers on community well-being. By collecting this information, the organization hopes to build a clearer picture of the environmental challenges facing UK waterways.

Tessa Wardley, director of communication and advocacy at the Rivers Trust, emphasizes the dire state of English rivers, noting that none are considered to be in good overall health. She points out the scarcity of environmental monitoring and the potential value of accumulating a large dataset over a single weekend.

This data will not only highlight pollution levels and wildlife presence but will also explore how spending time near rivers impacts people’s well-being. Wardley encourages public participation in the survey to amplify their voices regarding river health.

In a related development, the government has announced new measures to compel water companies in England and Wales to improve waterway conditions. Proposed legislation introduced in the House of Commons would impose jail time for water company executives who conceal data about sewage spills, while also blocking bonuses for CEOs if companies fail to meet environmental and consumer standards.

Additionally, there will be provisions for water companies to bear the enforcement costs of the Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate if they are under investigation.

Despite these announcements, campaigners argue that the measures are insufficient to resolve the sewage crisis. They call for increased funding and enhanced regulatory powers, along with a strategic plan that includes clear targets and milestones aimed at eliminating human waste spills into rivers and seas.

The Big River Watch initiative runs from September 6 to September 12, offering a platform for citizens to contribute to environmental monitoring and advocacy efforts for cleaner waterways.