We have started a new project! In collaboration with the South East Rivers Trust, The River Wey Trust, and Water Rangers, we have set up a River Water Testing programme in and around Woking.
On a crisp December morning (in 2024), 16 of us gathered at White Rose Lane for a river water testing training session. With expert guidance from Alistair Young, from the River Wey Trust, we learnt how to collect and analyse water samples confidently, using our new Water Rangers testing kits (generously donated by South East Rivers Trust).
We were paired into teams of two, to support each other in the process, and each team has been allocated a dedicated testing site across the Wey, the Hoe Stream and the Bourne. We have enough volunteers to test at 10 locations in the local area.
A month later we all had the chance to put our skills into action, with our first monthly testing taking place on the last weekend of December. We tested for things like nitrates, phosphates, pH and chlorine levels, as well as capturing what the water looked and even smelt like! You can track our ongoing results through this open-source platform here.
It’s been fun getting to share experiences and challenges through our Whatsapp group. Many of us have been using the water testing weekend as an opportunity to explore new areas of Surrey for dog walking, having a pint in a local pub, and even cold water swimming in the Wey!
After the training, the commitment required is to test your designated site once a month on a given weekend, which takes about 30 minutes. That means for the first year, the total commitment is just 8 hours, and then 6 hours per year after that!
We will be running additional training sessions so if you would like to be involved or if you have any questions please email nature@wokingenvironmentaction.org.
We’ll be updating this page with more information and a summary of our results as the project progresses.
Why Is Community-Led River Testing Important?
England’s rivers are in dire health, with agriculture, wastewater, and urbanisation as primary culprits. River health is assessed under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which measures chemical and ecological health to determine overall status. Rivers are divided into smaller sections to track health changes along their length. Unfortunately, recent data shows:
- 0% of rivers achieve good or high overall health.
- 23% of stretches are in poor or bad health.
- 85% of stretches fail to meet good ecological standards.
Chemical pollution remains a severe issue, exacerbated by outdated infrastructure and insufficient testing.
Relying solely on government enforcement to tackle river pollution can feel disheartening, especially with inconsistent regulations and enforcement. However, adopting a proactive mindset can make a real difference in improving waterways like those in Woking. Significant gaps exist in river quality data, and the Environment Agency often faces criticism for conducting infrequent or unreliable testing. Given the scale of the problem, it’s unrealistic for environmental professionals to monitor all waterways across the UK. This is where citizen science plays a crucial role. By participating in community-led testing programmes, individuals contribute valuable data through open-source platforms. Scientists then analyse this data to build a comprehensive understanding of river health. Monitoring and testing your local waterways is a practical and impactful way to address this issue—not just in Woking but wherever you live.
There’s a clear link between taking action to tackle the climate crisis and feeling optimistic about our ability to avoid its worst effects. Positivity drives action, and action fosters positivity in return. This connection applies to river quality testing too! When people test and engage with their local waterways, they often develop a sense of responsibility and care for them. This is a crucial aspect of addressing climate change, as fostering a connection with nature reminds us of the essential roles ecosystems play in sustaining life on Earth. By joining our testing team, you can cultivate stewardship and contribute to meaningful climate action.
For more information
To find out more please email nature@wokingenvironmentaction.org