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Citizen science project returns to clean up Bristol’s waterways
A citizen science project that invites residents to test the water at their local river is returning for its seventh annual year.
The Bristol Avon RiverBlitz will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the samples collected contributing to a dataset which analyses the health of the Avon across various catchments.
Budding scientists can play their part by joining in with the RiverBlitz and contributing vital data to identify sites where water health is particularly poor.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) will provide sampling kits which capture nitrate and phosphate levels to provide a snapshot of local water quality.
Conham Bathing and Save Our Avon will be among the local groups campaigning to clean up Bristol’s waterways.
A citizen science project which identifies sites where water health is particularly poor is returning for its seventh year – photo: Bristol Avon River Trust
Nutrients are naturally present in rivers but excessive quantities lead to eutrophication, causing serious problems for wildlife.
High nutrient levels support algae to thrive, creating smothering green mats or ‘blooms’ which block sun to the riverbed and deplete the water’s oxygen as they decompose.
This can lead to mass fish and plant death, and growth of less desirable plants as the river’s natural ecosystem is disrupted.
Excess nutrients are commonly the result of human activity. High nitrate levels are caused by fertiliser run-off from farms or leakage from wastewater, urban drainage, landfills and animal feedlots.
Excess phosphorous is normally due to sewage effluent, primarily from water industry treatment works and agricultural land.
The Bristol Avon RiverBlitz will take place on Saturday and Sunday – photo: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
In the 2022 RiverBlitz, 87 people collected 143 samples. Excessively high nutrient levels, likely to impact on aquatic life, were recorded at 70 per cent of sites.
To add to the picture, Rivers Trust research published in May 2023 revealed that the Bristol Avon at Keynsham contains five toxic chemical cocktails.
It was one of eight sites, of thousands surveyed across the country, where all five chemical combinations under investigation were detected.
RiverBlitz sessions are taking place on Saturday, July 8 from 10am to 2pm at the River Chew in Keynsham Memorial Park and the Land Yeo at Watercress Farm in Wraxall near Tyntsfield.
The sessions on Sunday, July 9 are from 10am to 2pm at Wellow Brook in Midsomer Norton Town Park and the River Biss at Trowbridge.
This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and
business membership
Main photo: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
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