Citizen Science
Join our citizen science project and help provide a better understanding of the health of the Wye - for everyone
We need data. High nutrient levels in the Wye and its tributaries are feeding algal blooms which are damaging the river. In their latest assessment, Natural Resources Wales found that more than 60% of the Welsh sections of the Wye Special Area of Conservation failed phosphate limits, stating that:
“Phosphorus pollution is known to cause the process of eutrophication in rivers, a highly problematic issue that causes excessive growth of algae, which smothers and blocks out light for other aquatic plants and animals.”
We need better monitoring to find out where nutrients, particularly phosphates, are entering our watercourses so that we can identify pollution hotspots and use that information to drive change to clean up our rivers.
Statutory bodies now only monitor a few points a handful of times a year, whereas we desperately need far more regular testing at many more locations.
Map of phosphorus compliance for Welsh sections of the Wye SAC showing more than 60% failing to stay under safe limits, reproduced from Compliance Assessment of the River Wye SAC Against Phosphorus Targets, Natural Resources Wales, Dec 17 2020
This is where people power can make a real difference. We’re looking for volunteers who live near the Wye or Lugg, or a small stream or brook which feeds into the Wye or Lugg, who would be willing to test their local patch regularly (twice a week), to monitor nutrient levels and water quality as part of a community citizen science project. Performing the test and uploading your results should take around ten to fifteen minutes each time. We’ll provide the kits and training.
If you’re interested in finding out more and getting involved, please fill out the form below and let us know the area you’re able to monitor. We’ll then send you more details. Additionally, if you’d like to become a supporter of Friends of the River Wye, please join our mailing list here. We will store your data only for communicating with you regarding efforts to protect and champion our river.
We’re grateful for the support of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust
As a group of citizen science programmes we have captured over 30,000 water quality samples across more than 450 sampling sites in the Wye. Click here or on use the map below to see our live data map. To contact us about accessing or analysing the data email data@friendsoftheriverwye.org.uk.
Our allies at the CPRW and CPRE have also collated a helpful map of potential pollution sources - click here or on the map below.
