The Bathing Rivers project is led by Severn Trent as part of their Green Recovery Bathing Rivers project. Severn Trent have partnered with us at the Severn Rivers Trust to make real change within the Warwickshire Avon catchment. Bathing waters are incredibly important to allow for regular monitoring of bacteria that can be harmful to human health; and therefore, help to enact real change from landowners and water companies. This partnership will work towards the goal of 15km of bathing quality waters by 2025.
The Challenge
The UK has more than 600 designated bathing waters but only 2 are located within rivers . Only 14% of rivers in England currently are at ‘good’ ecological status and not one river in the UK meets bathing quality standards. Having clean, healthy rivers is vital to help support ecosystems, communities and health and wellbeing.
Aims and Target
- Engage and inspire children through a varied and exciting education programme delivered within schools and field visits throughout the Leam and Upper Avon catchment.
- Deliver a varied volunteer programme to local volunteers and river users to empower them to take action for their rivers through practical management and citizen science.
- Support local communities to submit bathing applications and monitor recreational use of rivers within bathing seasons.
- Excite and enthuse a wide range of people about the benefits of blue and green spaces within their local area and why we should protect them through community engagement activities.
