Fresh Water
Fighting for healthy freshwater habitats
Every drop of fresh water is precious.
But pollution, climate change and over-exploitation have brought our fresh water systems to crisis point. We want to transform our rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands and reservoirs into clean, thriving habitats for people and wildlife.
Through the FreshWater Watch programme, we use the power of citizen science to give communities across the globe the tools to monitor water quality, identify problems and fight for improvements.
By 2030, we want to see 100,000 people safeguard 10,000 waterbodies across Europe and Africa.
Fresh water is scarce and freshwater ecosystems are endangered on a global scale.
Only 2.5% of all water in the world is fresh water, and less than 1% of this is accessible. By 2050, nearly 50% of the world’s population will be living in areas where water is scarce.
10% of the world’s animal species live exclusively in freshwater habitats and need them to survive. But nearly 25% of these species are threatened with extinction.
Only 14% of the UK’s rivers are currently considered to be in good ecological health. Worryingly, every single one of them fails to meet the required chemical standards.
How we make a difference
More than a decade of freshwater monitoring expertise
Since 2012, we have been connecting communities with their local freshwater bodies through training them in water quality monitoring.
Using a simple water testing kit and accessing our online database, citizen scientists can easily record and visualise nutrient pollution.
All of this data is freely accessible on our global map.
WHAT FRESHWATER WATCH GROUPS HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR
FreshWater Watch community groups across the globe
citizen scientists taking action for healthy fresh water
freshwater bodies monitored around the world
freshwater quality datasets collected so far
By 2030, we want to see 100,000 people safeguard 10,000 waterbodies across Europe and Africa. We need your help to reach this milestone!
Join the fight for fresh water
Individuals
Experience the power of freshwater citizen science! We offer training in the use of our global data platform and water testing kits.
Be a Seasonal Scientist or Monthly Monitor.
Community groups
Give your waterbody a voice, with the help of your community. Access online resources, water testing kits and our global platform.
Join an existing group or set up your own.
WaterBlitz events
We organise local, national and international WaterBlitz events, inviting members of the public to test waterbodies at the same time.
Keep an eye out for upcoming events!
Support FreshWater Watch
Help create data-driven change in the fight for clean water by supporting Earthwatch Europe with a donation
Businesses
Partner with us and help us equip more communities with the tools and knowledge to take action for their local freshwater resources. We are seeking visionary sponsors to help us drive the freshwater revolution forward. Talk to us about sponsorship opportunities today.
Stories
Freshwater citizen science in Malawi: how young scientists inspire positive change
FreshWater Watch is our global movement of volunteers who test the… Read more
The Evenlode Catchment Partnership: fighting together for river health
FreshWater Watch is our global movement of volunteers who test the… Read more
East Anglia Youth Rowing: Water testing on the River Cam
FreshWater Watch is our global movement of volunteers who test the… Read more
The Ealing Beaver Project: Water testing after the beaver reintroduction in London
FreshWater Watch is our global movement of volunteers who test the… Read more
Elly Platt: Revealing river pollution – stitch by stitch
The Great UK WaterBlitz is a biannual campaign calling on… Read more
Reg Godwin: Inspiring schools to dive into freshwater citizen science
FreshWater Watch is our citizen science programme that gives communities fresh water… Read moreFreshWater Watch News
Clean Water Now: Environmental groups launch major new campaign ahead of Water Reform Bill
A new report urges Government to stop pollution at source, fix the broken water system, and restore nature to England’s… Read more
Metal and chemical pollution in the River Cherwell are cause for public concern
We coordinated an independent report which has revealed concerning levels of pollution in the River Cherwell near Kidlington. However, the source of the pollution… Read more
Community-led study finds widespread presence of metal pollution in Corby’s rivers
In partnership with the Corby community, Earthwatch Europe has produced a new report revealing the presence of metal pollution in Corby’s rivers. The investigation identified the presence… Read moreGet in touch
Want to join the fight for healthy freshwater habitats? Get in touch with our FreshWater Watch team today.
Donate
FreshWater Watch is only made possible through public support. Every donation helps us fight for healthy freshwater bodies.
Our Global FreshWater Watch Community
Through our FreshWater Watch programme, we are proud to have created collaborations with organisations and communities worldwide.
From Argentina to Zambia, all our participating citizen scientists are using the same standardised water testing method, and contribute to our global FreshWater Watch database. The data map, which has been built up over many years, creates a lasting legacy and open access, meaning anyone can use it to track and mobilise change. This consistency means that we can make accurate global water quality comparisons that have never been possible before!
By monitoring their local water bodies, our citizen scientists around the world join a unified global effort to improve the health of fresh water for everyone, as reflected by the UN Sustainability Goal No. 6.
FreshWater Watch UK
