Earthwatch helps Corby community take action to uncover metal pollution
A new report from Earthwatch Europe, produced in partnership with the Corby community, has found high levels of metals in local rivers and soils at levels that could potentially pose risks to aquatic life and the environment.
On Saturday, Earthwatch Europe joined the Corby community to share the findings of a new study investigating metal pollution across the town. The research builds on earlier work exploring local waterways, providing fresh evidence to help identify where further investigation and action may be needed.
Helping a community ask important questions
In August 2025, community leaders in Corby approached Earthwatch Europe to investigate concerns about potential contamination associated with historic industrial and waste sites. The first phase of community-led research, carried out in November 2025, identified elevated concentrations of metals in waterbodies near Deene Quarry and a former slag heap in Weldon. But important questions remained. How were metals entering local waterways, and were they also present in surrounding soils?
To help find out, Earthwatch worked alongside residents to expand the investigation, looking at both freshwater and soil samples across Corby.
Citizen science in action
In July 2026, 30 trained citizen scientists collected freshwater and soil samples. These were analysed by Artemis Analytical for 33 elements, including 29 metals and metalloids.
The results revealed the widespread presence of metals in local freshwater. At every freshwater site sampled, at least one metal or metalloid was found at a concentration above its predicted no-effect concentration – a benchmark below which adverse effects on aquatic life are not expected.
Nickel exceeded this benchmark in 28 freshwater samples, while cadmium was detected at elevated concentrations in six.
The soil analysis also highlighted areas for further attention. Cadmium concentrations exceeded the relevant Soil Guideline Value at two sites, while arsenic exceeded its guideline value at six sites. Elevated concentrations of cadmium and nickel in freshwater, and cadmium and arsenic in soil, were largely concentrated around Deene Quarry and the former slag heap in Weldon.
Together, these findings help build a clearer picture of where metals are present and where further assessment may be needed. Claire Williams of Earthwatch said: “We’re very grateful to the community in Corby for their support in producing this report and we’re proud to be able to support important citizen-science projects like this.”
What can the findings tell us?
One of the study’s key aims was to explore how metals might be entering local waterways. The summer 2026 samples produced results comparable to those from winter sampling, despite being collected during what the study describes as the driest summer on record. This suggests that pollution may be coming from a relatively consistent source, rather than being driven primarily by rainfall and urban runoff. Groundwater and landfill leachate are possible explanations, although further investigation is needed to confirm the sources.
Collaboration is key
For the Corby community, this report marks an important milestone, but it is not the end of the story. The research demonstrates how citizen science can help people investigate environmental concerns, generate robust evidence and contribute to decisions about protecting their local environment.
The project was made possible through collaboration between local residents, Earthwatch Europe and Artemis Analytical, which provided the laboratory analysis. The report and raw data have been shared with the Environment Agency, which is reviewing them. The findings will help inform discussions about where further investigation may be required and what steps could be taken to address potential risks.
Lee Barron, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, thanked the residents, scientists and Earthwatch team involved, describing the report as an important step in the community’s campaign. He also called on North Northamptonshire Council to publish a plan to address sites where contamination presents unacceptable risks.
At Earthwatch, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to contribute to protecting the natural world. The Corby project shows what can happen when communities are given the tools and support to investigate the environmental questions that matter to them.
