A recent survey spearheaded by the environmental charity Earthwatch Europe has revealed that three-quarters of UK rivers are experiencing poor ecological health. This assessment was carried out by citizen scientists who sampled water quality from June 7 to 10, 2024, as part of the Great UK WaterBlitz campaign.
Involving thousands of volunteers, more than 1,300 datasets were collected, measuring levels of nitrates and phosphates—common pollutants from domestic, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. These nutrients, at high concentrations, can cause harmful algae blooms, bacteria overgrowth, and reduced oxygen levels, negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems.
The results showed stark regional disparities, with rivers in the Thames and Anglia regions faring worst. In Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, 91% and 89% of samples showed unacceptable pollution levels, respectively. Contrastingly, Derbyshire and Northumberland recorded no instances of unacceptable nutrient pollution.
Dr. Sasha Woods, Director of Science and Policy at Earthwatch Europe, emphasized the alarming state of rivers, particularly around London and the Thames basin. The data collected is consistent with findings from the Office for Environmental Protection, noting that most of England’s water bodies are in an unsatisfactory state.
The charity advocates for increased citizen science testing and better utilization of this data by regulatory bodies to address freshwater pollution comprehensively.