Volunteers sought for ‘RiverBlitz’ to test local water health
Volunteers are being sought to help out in Barnoldswick
River watchers are calling for volunteers to help launch a RiverBlitz to test the health of the waters in and around Barnoldswick.
The Ribble Rivers Trust and the Barlick Bioscapes working group are aiming to gather vital information about water quality in the area to find out where is healthy, and where needs attention. They are seeking volunteers to take part in the major citizen scientist exercise by testing sites within the Stock Beck catchment, all in one day. Data will be analysed to help build a more complete picture of any chemical and biological contaminants.
Jackie Monk, Barlick Bioscapes’ lead on the project, said: “This will become an important part of the ecological map of the whole area, but it’s about much more than gathering data – the results could be instrumental in deciding any funding that the area could receive to remedy the issues identified.”
The last local RiverBlitz in 2023 showed water quality was poor in over a quarter of sites tested, with nutrient pollution showing as unacceptable in nearly two thirds, according to Ribble Rivers Trust’s Freshwater Scientist, Luke Sherwood.
He said: “This time, we will be running many more water quality tests, including for bacteria such as E. Coli, so the data we collect will be much more comprehensive.
Organisers will be on the Town Square next to Barnoldswick Beach over the school summer holidays every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm with more information and details of how to take part. Volunteers can attend drop-in sessions in the coming weeks where they can suggest which locations around the local area they want water samples to be taken on the day of RiverBlitz.
Ribble Rivers Trust is a Lancashire-based charity working with partner organisations to improve the River Ribble and all its tributaries for people and wildlife.
Barlick Bioscapes is a working group created by Barnoldswick Town Council and the Eco Barnoldswick group to improve green spaces and tackle environmental issues in the area. More details of the project and how to take part can be found at https://arcg.is/0OGSOL0 and https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ribbleriverstrust/2320275