River Project
It started with a simple email. We were contacted by a local resident horrified at the sewage being pumped into the river close to where he lived. We visited his home on the 30th of May 2024 and he showed us where sewage had been collecting along the banks and then sinking to the bottom of the river, where there was scum floating on the surface and where it used to be busy with fish swimming through it, now it was lifeless and still. In particular, he had noticed the impact of sewage discharges on the Kingfisher population. Three years ago, when he moved to the property, Kingfishers were frequent visitors but this year there had been none. With the loss of the fish came the loss of the Kingfishers.
Worried about how much sewage was being pumped into the Charlton Stream the local resident found that sewage had been discharged into the river one mile upstream from his home, 50 times in 2023. Then, when the river reached Tanners Bridge in Milbourne, sewage was pumped into the water a further 70 times according to ‘Top of the Poops’, the organisation keeping a tally of sewage flows into our waterways.
We decided something had to be done.
River Testing
A team of 12 River Testers was gathered together testing in sites stretching from Easton Grey in the west to Brinkworth in the east and taking in plenty of locations in between. The results of the tests are recorded in collaboration with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust and any issues are then raised with Wessex Water.
The water is tested for Nitrogen, Phosphates, Total Dissolved Solids and temperature. But the testers also report on anything else they see which may be damaging the watercourse. This means that any problems are reported quickly and the authorities are obliged to act. Examples include the removal of Japanese Knotweed and requirement for a local business to remove gravel/sand which was sliding into the river.
Wildlife Monitoring
MDNHS is now in the process of deploying 5 trail cameras at 15 different locations along local rivers to try to ascertain what wildlife is using our waterways. The trail cameras will be in place for at least 2 weeks at each location. Once all 15 locations have been done we will take stock and decide the next step. It might be that we repeat the process to get even more detailed information!
MDNHS pays for the ongoing costs of water testing. If you would like to help us to cover this expense please consider donating to the General Fund.
A concerned member of the public reported to us on the 22nd of November that detergent could be both seen and smelled being pumped into the river in Malmesbury (see adjacent video). We reported this to the Environment Agency and have an Incident Report Reference Number for it. Wessex Water came to test the outlet that was pumping detergent into the river on the 24th of November and were seen testing again on the 5th of December. It seems it is worthwhile complaining about these things!
Since then we have been working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on this and now know that WESSEX WATER acknowledge that this outlet has known issues which they have been working on; the Environment Agency is aware too. They are in the middle of a trial with the pipe but the pipe got dislodged which led to the foam. They state it has now been fixed. It has now been fixed and the foam should not appear again. During this process the water was tested each time and found to be within the limits (MAYBE the LIMITS are too LAX)
This doesn’t really address our concerns about what is going into the river that is causing the foam. A request has been made for a tour of the recycle centre and a talk with the scientist from the area. We will keep you updated.
Follow this link to the River Detectives Page where you can see the latest records we have submitted from our local rivers: BRISTOL AVON RIVERS TRUST POLLUTION MAP