We’re supporting this year’s Big River Watch, a campaign led by the River’s Trust.
Our rivers are facing increasing threats from pollution, habitat loss and climate change. To tackle these challenges, The Rivers Trust keeps a keen eye on the health of our waterways, monitoring which areas need support and restoration. Twice a year the River’s Trust run the Big River Watch, calling on the public to aid research efforts. The second BRW of 2024 is now running live from 6th-12th September across the UK.
Water Stewardship at Belu
The Health of our Rivers
Rivers are critical for the health of the environment, sustaining wildlife, providing fresh water, and supporting industries like agriculture and energy. According to The Rivers Trust, in 2024 only 14% of rivers in England are considered to be in good health. This means that a vast majority of our rivers are in a declining state, affected by pollution, chemical runoff, and habitat disruption.
Despite the small number, this is a slight improvement in recent years. In 2020, a report from the UK Environment Agency revealed that none of England’s rivers were in good health, primarily due to contamination from substances like nitrates, phosphates, and microplastics. This pollution harms aquatic life and poses risks to drinking water supplies. Rivers are also under pressure from climate change, with more frequent flooding and droughts.
Getting involved
Taking part is easy, it’s only 10 minutes to download and complete the quick survey on the free Big River Watch app.
The power of ‘Citizen Science’
Citizen science is an incredibly powerful tool in environmental protection. In the case of rivers, which stretch across large areas and are often hard to monitor continuously, public involvement can significantly increase the reach and effectiveness of data collection.
A 2021 study by Earthwatch Europe found that over 130,000 citizen-collected water samples helped identify pollution hotspots across Europe. Projects like the Big River Watch help fill data gaps that governmental agencies and researchers might not be able to cover.
UK Rivers: Facts and Figures
According to a 2021 report by the UK Environment Agency, 80% of UK rivers fail to meet quality standards. Pollution from agricultural runoff and untreated sewage, is one of the main culprits. Over 400,000 sewage discharges were recorded in the UK in 2020, with many of these incidents harming aquatic ecosystems.
