Sewage-free rivers a step closer after citizen science group's official launch

NORTHWICH’S rivers are a step closer to being sewage free.

Saturday, April 20, saw the official launch of citizen science water quality testing group, Northwich River Heroes, at Grozone Community Garden.

The event attracted about 40 new volunteers, plus Cheshire West councillors, delegates from groups who use the rivers regularly, and a team from United Utilities (UU), which helped fund the project through its new Better Rivers Community Fund.

The event began with a note of thanks from Northwich town councillor, Lee Siddall, whose campaigning was instrumental in getting the project up and running.

Northwich River Heroes volunteers at the group's official launch on Saturday, April 20 (Image: Newsquest)

The group was then officially launched by Northwich town mayor, Cllr Jane Thomas, followed by an address from Labour's parliamentary candidate for Mid Cheshire, Cllr Andrew Cooper.

Formalities over, the group was led off to the River Dane near Memorial Court, where volunteers got a hands-on taster session with Grozone’s volunteer and training co-ordinator, Pete Attwood, focusing on what’s involved in the water testing process.

Grozone's volunteer and training co-ordinator, Pete Attwood (left) showing Northwich Rowing Club's Freddie Medland the ropes (Image: Newsquest)

Lee said he's been 'overwhelmed' with the level of community support the project has received so far, adding: "It really highlights the public's demand for accountability and healing of our precious natural resources.

“I’m so grateful to be the first recipient of the Better River’s community fund from UU, and for their recent efforts to partner with communities to reduce negative impacts on our rivers’ health.

(L to R): Northwich town mayor, Cllr Jane Thomas; parliamentary candidate, Cllr Andrew Cooper; Cllr Lee Siddall; Grozone's Pete Attwood; UU river ranger, Daniel Lynch (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s vital this new funding stream serves not just as a gesture, but as a foundational part of a larger, ongoing commitment to rectify these long-standing environmental challenges.”

Northwich town mayor, Cllr Jane Thomas, said: “Lee has campaigned hard to get this initiative off the ground due to concerns he had with water quality.

“Community engagement has been excellent, and I’d like to thanks Lee and all the volunteers for their work to safeguard our splendid rivers and the life within them for future generations.”

The UU grant of £1,075 was used to buy water testing kits, which include a subscription to the Angling Trust’s UK-wide Water Quality Monitoring Network.

They will be used to collect data on nitrate and phosphate levels from sources such as sewage outflows, as well as ammonia from agricultural slurry run-off, water temperature, and conductivity.

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Mid Cheshire, Cllr Andrew Cooper, said: “Initiatives like this show our community at its best.

“Our rivers are in crisis, with water quality in no river in England classed as good overall.

“The Weaver and Dane alone have seen 5,605 sewage spills in the last year alone, and 69 per cent of dairy farms inspected by the Environment Agency between 2021 and 2022 were in breach of environmental regulation.

“Northwich is a town surrounded rivers, canals, meres and flashes, and water is part of it's soul.

“Citizen science projects like this can give us the reliable data we need to help build the argument and convince those in power we need things to change.”