Introduction
Improving water quality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe it is vital that water quality is considered holistically, and our approach is supported by effective monitoring, engagement, and awareness raising, alongside advocating and delivering nature-based solutions which provide multiple benefits.
The detriment of sewage within our rivers is widely reported ,we are committed to working with water companies, owners of septic tanks, and private sewage treatment works to establish sustainable long terms solutions which consider not just the end problem but advocating for high quality development and reducing input to the system through our Urban Wetland Network.
Along with pollutants associated with sewage and agriculture we are committed to understanding the impact of rising levels of pharmaceuticals in our water and , emerging toxic uPBT substances, which persist and bioaccumulate in the environment, as these are likely having a significant impact on our wildlife but are less understood and less easy to mitigate
Our Aims
We will work constructively with businesses and individuals to develop activities and capital projects which reduce the sources of pollution across the catchment undertaking investigations and sharing knowledge and data. We will encourage, and support, higher levels of research into emerging pollutants, supporting mechanisms for reducing their impact.
We will expand our monitoring across the whole catchment, incorporating Citizen Science to highlight areas for more in-depth analysis at our testing laboratory. We will advocate the use of nature-based solutions as the preferred solution to water quality issues, whilst seeking to integrate these alongside hard-engineering where necessary. We aim to improve water quality parameters of phosphate, dissolved oxygen and nitrate across 10% of our monitoring area by 2030. (Maybe Link This to the DATA PAGE??)
Our Priorities
Provision of advice and support to individuals and communities on water quality issues.
Using an evidence-based approach we will target areas with the highest opportunity to reduce diffuse pollution, providing advice and support to, businesses, landowners and managers to increase river protection.
Facilitate the establishment of 25km of functional buffer strips along river edges.
We will work with Catchment Sensitive Farming advisors and other partners to ensure that available financing mechanisms support the creation of clean rivers.
We will establish a high-quality hybrid programme for Citizen Scientists and professional monitoring, ensuring our data is accepted by regulators and business to target improvements.
We will advocate for clean water; running events, campaigns and working professionally with all sectors to raise awareness and reduce impact.
We will ensure joined up thinking between rural and urban environments, encouraging a holistic approach to improving water quality.