River Yealm Water Quality Group
Activities
1. Measuring river water quality and ecological status;
2. Identifying and reporting upon specific areas of concern;
3. Developing catchment-wide partnerships;
4. Assessing strategic opportunities; and
Photo by permission of John Challenor
1. Measuring river water quality and ecological status
Helping enable and manage wider monitoring of river water quality and ecological health than is currently afforded by the Environment Agency, as we get to know our river:
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by community volunteers known as “The Yealm Dippers, coordinated by the RYWQG and Yealm Estuary to Moor Project (YEM), with training and support from Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) and WildFish, using equipment and consumables funded primarily by the Parish Councils of Wembury, Newton Ferrers, Noss Mayo, Yealmpton, Brixton and Cornwood, Sparkwell, including one significant anonymous donor;
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monitoring 24 sites on a monthly basis, including on every significant tributary throughout the Yealm catchment, to help identify sites of low level background pollution as part of the WRT Citizen Science Investigation (CSI);
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managing automated instruments purchased by the RYWQG (i.e. “The Yealm Sonde”), recording and alerting to higher level pollution incidents;
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in collaboration with other organisations such as also include Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth.
2. Identifying and reporting upon specific areas of concern
Analysing and publishing findings, taking account of associated reports by South West Water and the Environment Agency, to help:
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identify areas of concern;
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engage further community support; and
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inform upon opportunities for remediation.
3. Developing catchment-wide partnerships
Working together to:
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share data and knowledge;
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achieve coordinated representation on behalf of Parish Councils throughout the catchment of River Yealm;
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advise South Hams District Council and Devon County Council in response to planning applications, specifically to help ensure sufficient capacity for sewage treatment, including appropriate separation of surface water runoff and the treatment of road runoff; and
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help the Yealm Estuary to Moor Group, the Environment Agency and the Westcountry Rivers Trust lead in the development of a River Yealm Catchment Plan, establishing shared priorities and opportunities for reducing pollution inputs by drawing upon existing river and land-based schemes across a range of organisations.
4. Assessing strategic opportunities
Assessing opportunities and potential advantages such as for achieving:
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designated Bathing Water status; and/or
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a River Charter for the Yealm.
5. Raising public awareness of river water quality issues
Engaging the public via parish magazines, Parish Council websites, local Facebook pages, newsletters and our RYWQG website to help promote:
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findings of the RYWQG;
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useful web links; and
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personal actions that can help reduce sewage pollution.
