Exploring the Troubling State of Britain’s Rivers: A Citizen Science Report
A recent citizen science survey conducted in Britain has revealed alarming findings about the ecological health of rivers in the country, including the River Wye in Symonds Yat, England. The Great UK WaterBlitz Report, monitored by Earthwatch Europe volunteers, found that 75 percent of rivers in Britain are ecologically unhealthy due to agricultural runoff and pollution from water companies.
The survey, which took place from June 7 to 10, 2024, involved thousands of volunteers collecting over 1,300 samples from rivers across the country. The results showed that waterways in the basin of the River Thames, as well as other rivers in the East Anglia and southeast regions of England, were in the worst shape. In these areas, 89 percent of rivers were found to be in poor ecological health.
Dr. Sasha Woods, Earthwatch Europe’s director of science and policy, expressed particular concern about the dire situation around London and the Thames river basin. The worst water quality was found in counties like Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, where 89 percent and 91 percent of rivers, respectively, had unsatisfactory nutrient pollution levels.
The report also highlighted the fact that Gwent and Northumberland had the lowest levels of nutrient pollution, with water quality at 100 percent. However, overall, the findings of the survey back up the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) conclusion that the country’s waterways are not in an acceptable state.
The United Kingdom’s Environment Agency (EA) has been criticized for only testing the water quality of rivers every three years since the 2016 Brexit vote, instead of annually as previously done. This change in testing frequency has raised concerns about the government’s ability to meet the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirement of achieving “good” ecological quality in all rivers by 2027.
Experts believe that achieving this goal is unlikely without drastic measures to address the sources of pollution, such as agricultural runoff and inadequate sewage treatment. Elevated nutrient levels in rivers can lead to uncontrolled plant and algal growth, high bacteria levels, and lower water oxygen levels, posing a threat to plants and animals in freshwater ecosystems.
Citizen scientist Jane Stewart, who participated in the study, shared her personal experience of witnessing the decline in the health of the River Colne over the years due to pollution and runoff. Woods emphasized the importance of citizen science in monitoring and understanding the health of local rivers, calling for more grassroots action and better use of data by organizations like the Environment Agency to protect and restore the health of rivers across the UK.
The findings of the Great UK WaterBlitz Report serve as a wake-up call for the urgent need to address water pollution and improve the ecological health of rivers in Britain, including the iconic River Wye in Symonds Yat, England.