Thousands take part in our nationwide WaterBlitz to protect UK rivers and waterways
Thousands of people across the UK took part in the Great UK WaterBlitz this weekend, joining a nationwide effort to better understand the health of our rivers and freshwater.
Over four very sunny days, Earthwatch volunteers headed out to rivers, streams, lakes and ponds in their local areas to carry out simple water tests. Using specially designed testing kits, they measured levels of nitrates and phosphates. These are pollutants often linked to sewage and agricultural runoff that can seriously damage ecosystems, even when the water looks clean.
“We took part because we wanted to support positive steps to keep the river healthy and highlight issues. The river is part of our natural environment and we love the birds and wildlife that we see around the area.” – Anna Bryer, WaterBlitz participant
The WaterBlitz is part of our wider citizen science programme and has grown into one of the UK’s largest environmental data-collection efforts led by the public. By gathering results from thousands of locations at the same time, it creates a powerful snapshot of water quality across the country. That kind of data is important. Many smaller waterways aren’t regularly monitored, meaning pollution can go undetected. Projects like WaterBlitz help fill those gaps, giving scientists and campaigners a clearer picture of where problems exist and where action is needed most.
While the results from this weekend are still being analysed, previous WaterBlitz events have revealed widespread nutrient pollution in UK waterways. This has helped highlight ongoing challenges around water quality and strengthened calls for change.
“I feel honoured to be a part of WaterBlitz and my daughter had a great time helping me. Our dog swims here so it’s extra special to know it’s safe not just for the precious wildlife but for people and our pets too.” – Sandra Murphy, WaterBlitz participant
The latest findings are expected in early June and will be used to support campaigns pushing for better protection and management of rivers and freshwater environments.
More than anything, the weekend showed the impact of people coming together to take action. A big thank you goes to everyone who took part, contributed data, and supported the event. Every sample collected helps build a clearer picture and brings us a step closer to healthier rivers and waterways.
Take a look below at just a small number of our amazing Citizen Scientists in Action!
(Special thanks for the pictures to Alex Moyo, Anna Bryer, Elizabeth Blake, Emily Downs, Graham Bates, Helen Haiselden, Jessica Bennet, May Lau, Paloma Hermosa, Rob Goodcliffe, Robin Shelley, Sandra Murphy, Steven Ogden and Teri Knight)
