The Rivers Trust is calling on members of the public to take part in its Big River Watch citizen science survey, which runs from 24th to 30th April 2026.
The week-long event takes place twice a year and is open to anyone who wants to contribute to a growing body of data on river health across the UK and Ireland.
The trust says the picture painted by that data is a concerning one.
It warns,
“Across the UK our rivers are far from healthy.
“They’re polluted with sewage, plastic, chemicals and nutrients, and just 15% of river stretches in England are in good overall health.”
How your observations can make a difference
The trust says the information gathered through the survey helps it influence policymakers and hold polluters to account. It says,
“To restore them, we need more information about how they’re doing.
“You can help us identify and locate the problems.”
You can take part by downloading the free Big River Watch mobile app, before heading to your chosen river location.
What taking part involves
Once by the water, spend 15 minutes observing the river and answering questions in the app’s survey.
The survey covers everything from wildlife and plant sightings to visible signs of pollution, and built-in identification guides are available within the app to help if you are unsure what you are looking at.
Once complete, submit your survey directly through the app.
An optional extra for the keen-eyed
Those who want to go further can also take part in the Great UK WaterBlitz, which runs from 19th to 21st September.
Participants who sign up, receive a testing kit in advance can measure nitrate and phosphate levels in the water.
River specialists then analyse all results gathered through both activities.
Head over to The Rivers Trust website to find out more.
