FreshWater Watch Citizen Science
FreshWater Watch is a citizen science project focusing on water quality monitoring, with the goal of supporting improvements to water quality. It is a global project led by Earthwatch that has been used in the Evenlode for the past 8 years in support of the ECP goal to improve water quality in the catchment through data-driven change.
Objectives
We are working with citizen scientists – members of the public from the Evenlode catchment who are passionate about water and the environment – to explore water quality, pollution hotspots and sources of pollution. The data is combined with Environment Agency (EA) data and data from automated sensors such as sondes. It is used for research, engagement, informing partnership activity, and evidence-led campaigns.
Outcomes
125+
citizen scientists have taken part
2000+
data points collected
600+
volunteer hours contributed
Project highlights
This data has supported numerous reports, press releases and engagement activities, and targeting of automated sensors in pollution hotspot areas.
We are proud to have such a large group of dedicated volunteers taking monthly samples over these past 5 years (some have been doing FreshWater Watch for 8 years and counting!).
Lessons learnt
We have learnt many lessons over the years about long-term engagement and motivation of volunteers. We now have a Community Engagement Coordinator who works hard to communicate regularly with our citizen scientists through monthly newsletters, and multiple opportunities for in-person discussion and collaboration each year.
Future plans
We aim to continue supporting our group of dedicated citizen scientists for as long as they want to monitor! We hope to develop further tools for citizen scientists to “adopt a sewage treatment works” to investigate pollution in more detail.
If you are interested in becoming a citizen scientist with FreshWater Watch, please email water@earthwatch.org.uk
Funding
Total cost: £37,600 p.a.
Funded by Thames Water.
