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Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust with the Essex Rivers Hub want to enable local communities to get involved and take action to restore our rivers. We have set up the Essex RiverWatch, a citizen science project to collect information about rivers and help us target where action is needed. This webpage will help you get familiarised with the process and get out River Watching!
In 2023, only 6 out of 91 stretches of river in Essex were classified as being good ecological quality, the rest were moderate or poor. The rivers are affected by pollution and have lost much of their habitat through being modified for human use (drainage or navigation).
Litter and debris in our rivers are an all too familiar sight. A survey by Essex County Council of Essex Residents in 2023 showed that river pollution was the top environmental concern out of sixteen environmental categories.
ABOUT THE ESSEX RIVERWATCH
Welcome to the Essex RiverWatch, where community members play a crucial role in monitoring and protecting our local rivers.
WHAT WE DO
Join fellow citizen scientists in collecting valuable data on river health. By participating in simple observation surveys and water sample testing, you can help safeguard our vital waterways. No experience needed!
OUR MISSION
We cover the Combined Essex Catchment, including three-quarters of Essex and parts of Suffolk. From the River Stour to the River Roach, our goal is to monitor every river flowing from the east into the North Sea. Find your local river on the Catchment Data Explorer.
A map of the Combined Essex catchment area OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap
HOW IT WORKS
Simple and Accessible
1. Observe: Record river depth, wildlife, and any signs of pollution.
2. Test (Optional): Measure water temperature, total dissolved solids, turbidity, ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates.
Each survey takes just 10-20 minutes and is conducted monthly.
TUTORIALS, GUIDES & INFORMATION
Click here to view the health and safety information, tutorials and guidance for participating in the Essex RiverWatch.
All participants must have received training to participate. This can be in person or online. Enquire with the RiverWatch email to find out when the next events will be.
GET STARTED
1. Health & Safety: Review our safety advice and survey tutorials. Does the RiverWatch sound like something you would like to do?
2. Sign Up: Email RiverWatch@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org with your location and any potential river sites you could collect data from. We’ll help you choose a sampling location.
3. Training: We will provide training in methodology and health and safety either online or in person. This is required to take part in the RiverWatch. We then provide access to the Cartographer system for data entry.
4. Receive Equipment: We’ll deliver water sampling equipment to you, or you can collect it from us. Please note this can take several weeks depending on demand. You can start your visual surveys immediately after training if you are waiting for equipment.
If at any time you feel you would no longer like to participate or are no longer able, please let us know and we can arrange for the collection of your equipment to be reallocated to other participants.
Upcoming training dates/times:
02/12/2024 | 19:00 start | Online
FOR GROUPS
Are you part of an environmental group, school, club, or community organisation? We would love to hear from you. Groups have a single coordinator who manages data entry and equipment for their members.
If your group is interested in joining in, please contact us at RiverWatch@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org. We then organise a talk with you so that your members are aware of what is expected of them, to deliver equipment and organise sampling locations.
FUNDING & DONATIONS
While it is free for participants to take part in the Essex RiverWatch project, donations towards equipment and operating costs are gratefully received and will help the project to continue for many years to come.
Here is a breakdown of some example costs:
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£2 covers the cost of a single survey
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£5 pays for a turbidity tube
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£20 pays for 25 ammonia tests
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£50 pays for a full kit (25 tests)
Click here if you would like to donate to the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust. If you would like to fundraise for the Essex RiverWatch please contact us at RiverWatch@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org to discuss how you can support the funding of the Essex RiverWatch.
By supporting our citizen scientists, you are helping us to look after the wildlife and water quality in our rivers.
We'd like to say a huge thank you to Essex WaterWays, Essex County Council, Anglian Water and all individuals who supported our Big Give Green Match Fund campaign, for their generous donations towards this project.
