With water pollution continuing to make headlines across the UK, a Stroud-based conservation charity has been mobilising local volunteers to monitor the health of nearby waterways.
In 2024, it’s estimated that sewage was discharged into UK rivers every 30 seconds, leading to nearly 2,000 reports of sickness from unsafe water. Meanwhile, water companies reported £72.2 billion in profits while carrying £69.2 billion in debt since privatisation.
Against this backdrop, the Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) took part in a nationwide initiative in September to assess water quality in local rivers and streams.
“The project involves testing rivers and streams for nitrate and phosphate levels,” explains Fred Miller, who manages habitats for SVP.
“We’re testing the River Frome at Capel’s Mill in Stroud and the Lynch Rhyne in Berkeley. ‘Rhyne’ is an old Gloucestershire and Somerset word for a drainage stream.
It’s part of a Citizen Science scheme organised by Earthwatch Europe Institute, which highlights water pollution and engages the public in monitoring it. The scheme focuses on identifying sources of pollution, encouraging water companies, farmers, and landowners to develop solutions.”
Volunteers used testing kits from Earthwatch to measure nitrate and phosphate concentrations, indicators of agricultural fertiliser or sewage in the water. Results showed moderate to high nitrate levels in the River Frome and moderate to high phosphate levels in the Lynch Rhyne.
SVP’s monitoring goes beyond one project. At Capel’s Mill, they regularly track populations of Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies—insects whose larvae live in rivers.
“These species are sensitive to pollution, so they’re useful indicators of biological health. If their numbers drop, we know there are problems—a bit like the proverbial canary in the coal mine,” explains Fred.
Citizen action makes a difference
The charity has monitored the river for several years with local support. Fred recalls a major issue this summer: “Just 50 metres downstream from the public footbridge at Capel’s Mill, a drainage pipe was pouring sewage into the River Frome. It took months of reporting it repeatedly to the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water by residents, our team, and the Rodborough county councillor before it was fixed in August. It may have been leaking for some time before it was identified. Severn Trent excavated the relevant pipes in Rodborough Field, and the problem now seems resolved—a success for citizen action.”
In Berkeley, SVP is monitoring the Lynch Rhyne at Sarah’s Field as part of the Water Guardians scheme, funded by Wessex Water and managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
“During this summer’s drought, phosphate concentrations reached 2.5 parts per million—off the scale! We also detected faecal coliform bacteria, indicating manure or sewage in the water. This has been reported to the Environment Agency, and we hope for a similar success to that at Frome Banks,” says Fred.
Reporting sewage leaks
If you notice a sewage leak into a waterway, report it to Severn Trent Water via Check my area or call the Environment Agency on 0300 065 3000.
