Citizen science initiatives for testing river water quality are set to expand significantly in 2024, with a goal to integrate the data into official monitoring systems.
This move comes as the crisis surrounding the state of river ecosystems continues to grow, with pollutants from agriculture and sewage effluent contributing to widespread degradation.
In 2024, over 7,000 volunteers participated in river testing “blitzes” organized by Earthwatch Europe, an independent environmental research organization.
The blitzes, held over two weekends, utilized standardized testing kits provided by Earthwatch and Imperial College London, allowing ordinary citizens to monitor pollutants such as phosphates, nitrates, antibiotics, painkillers, and pesticides across nearly 4,000 freshwater sites in the UK.
Sasha Woods, Earthwatch’s director of science and policy, stressed the importance of turning the mounting concerns about river pollution into actionable data that could drive real change.
“We are at a tipping point in terms of freshwater quality,” Woods said, pointing to the critical need for comprehensive data on water quality. “Now there is a real sense that this is the year things are going to be moving in the right direction.”
The data collected by citizen scientists last year helped shed light on the variety of pollutants from water companies and agricultural runoff that continue to harm the nation’s rivers.
This volunteer-driven effort is particularly vital given that official monitoring bodies, such as the Environment Agency (EA), have limited resources.
While the EA is aiming to collect 4,000 data points by the end of March 2025, Earthwatch’s volunteer efforts were able to gather similar data in just two weekends, illustrating the power and efficiency of citizen science.
“The Environment Agency is recognizing the value of citizen science,” Woods noted. “What we do is never going to replace the Agency’s role, but it can support and enhance their efforts.”
The results of last year’s testing revealed that 61% of the UK’s freshwater sites were in poor condition due to excessive nutrient levels, particularly from nitrate and phosphate. In England, the figure was even higher, with 67% of water samples showing poor quality.
The 2024 river testing blitzes aim to surpass last year’s success, with Earthwatch targeting 10,000 volunteers and 5,000 testing sites.
The first of two scheduled weekends of testing will take place on April 26. The data gathered will be compiled into public reports, providing an invaluable snapshot of freshwater quality across the UK.
The findings will empower citizens, NGOs, and regulatory bodies to challenge water companies, advocate for better practices in agriculture, and hold industries accountable for illegal activities.
This approach mirrors growing global trends, where citizen science is increasingly being integrated into national monitoring systems in lower-income countries such as Sierra Leone and Zambia.
In these regions, volunteer-collected data feeds into the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, demonstrating the global potential of citizen science in environmental monitoring.
Woods emphasized the dual power of citizen science: it not only produces reliable data but also educates and empowers people to become active stewards of the environment.
“It’s not just about gathering data,” she said. “It’s about educating people and giving them the tools to make a difference in their local environments.”
As the world faces mounting challenges in protecting freshwater resources, the expanding role of citizen science in environmental monitoring offers hope for more comprehensive, inclusive, and effective strategies to tackle pollution and preserve vital ecosystems.
