UK Rivers Network

Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day this October!

10 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated worldwide, twice a year, in May and October. These mark the twice-yearly movements of millions of birds, as they move between their breeding and wintering grounds in spring and autumn. RSPB explains why this is such a milestone in the UK, where about half of all our bird species migrate.

Free festival invites Norwich to discover the city's rivers this October half term

10 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A brand-new festival, "Where the River Meets Us", will bring six days of activities to riverside and neighbourhood locations across Norwich from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October. The programme invites residents to experience the city's rivers in new ways, from wildlife walks, following live music along the riverbank and discovering archive films beside the Wensum, to looking for bats, joining family storytelling and contributing to a community poem.

River Severn sewage spills will take years to tackle

10 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Reducing the number of sewage discharges into the River Severn will take time, say water company bosses. Meanwhile, local councillors are demanding action on a problem that's happening far too often.

Government's "reckless" Environmental Delivery Plan risks more sewage in rivers, warns WildFish

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) are a new proposed scheme by the government to help developers "tackle" pollution when building new homes. Under the EDPs, developers effectively pay money into a Natural England kitty, which can then fund environmental protection projects. The government calls the plans, drafted by Natural England under the Nature Restoration Fund, a "win-win approach to housebuilding and nature restoration", which can deliver healthier wetlands and waterways alongside new housing developments. But WildFish is concerned that the EDP scheme sets up a worrying pay-to-pollute system, one where developers can simply pay a fee to push through or speed up their development plans. The scheme will result in current environmental protections being lifted, such as developments around rivers where nutrients are a problem, after cash is paid by developers.

Wildlife Trusts also take aim at EDP

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Matthew Browne, head of public affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said: "In a time of stark nature loss, The Planning and Infrastructure Act's approach to environmental protection - substitution rather than an avoidance of harm – could set us on a dangerous path towards further environmental decline. With developers now required to show weaker, more generalised 'overall improvements', the Act has opened the door to environmental harm being allegedly cancelled out by wider benefits. As a result, this first Starmer-legacy Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP) risks being just as we and others warned: specific and significant harms being traded for general, speculative benefits.

Three new faces for the Great Yorkshire Rivers project

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Great Yorkshire Rivers (GYR) has made three full-time appointments to help the organisation in the delivery of its mission to to remove artificial barriers that prevent fish moving freely through Yorkshire's rivers and reaching important breeding habitats.

Two-year project to install eel screens begins

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An £11.8m project to install screens to help eels safely navigate a river has begun. The screens will be placed at Barrasford raw pumping station on the River North Tyne in Northumberland over the next two years and are designed to prevent European eels from entering the station workings.

[£££] Feargal Sharkey, patron saint of rivers

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Patrick Galbraith celebrates the one-man clean-river campaign in this month's Critic (requires subscription).

Water companies take at least £1.4 billion from industrial waste in six years

9 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Companies reported nearly £340 million in the latest year alone for accepting industrial wastewater, but the true figure is likely to be higher because one water company (South West Water) refused to disclose their trade-effluent revenues on commercial-sensitivity grounds. Water companies have reported at least £1.4 billion in trade-effluent revenue over the past six years, including £336 million in 2025/26, according to a major investigation by Watershed Investigations and River Action, first reported in The Guardian.

SAS: Sewage spills not recorded on time, report claims

8 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Campaigners claim South West Water failed to report more than 3,000 sewage discharges within the legally required time of an hour, in the first half of this year. In its annual report into water quality Surfers Against Sewage said the water firm's sewage spills during dry weather last more than 12,000 hours.

Mercury has long sickened and killed. Could the tide finally be turning?

8 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Toxic mercury continues to pop up in everything from cosmetics to fluorescent lights and is widely used in small-scale gold mining. But that is changing thanks to a landmark international agreement: the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The pact, which celebrates its 13th year on October 10, has placed controls on the supply, trade and use of mercury, helping to protect people and the planet from its harmful effects. More than 153 nations are now party to the agreement, which its backers say represents an important example of international cooperation amid rising international tensions.

PaddleUK announce new 2026 strategy

8 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Places and blue spaces matter, paddling should be easier to access and navigate, strong communities make paddling happen, and coaching and leading should work better for people: these are just some of the areas PaddleUK will be focusing on following feedback from members of the paddling community.

Wildlife populations have declined - but many animals still aren't being counted

8 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Edinburgh University and CEH ecologists explain the difficulty in figuring out what's happening to the world's biodiversity.

Words with Andrew McDermid: River Water Quality Champion at Forest of Dean District Council

8 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A campaigning councillor explains his work fighting for water: "Our rivers, streams and wetlands are among the Forest's most precious habitats; protecting them is an investment in the future health, prosperity and resilience of our communities".

High pollution levels found in Bristol rivers and streams

7 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Drought conditions led to higher than usual levels of pollution in rivers and streams in the Fishponds area during tests carried out this summer. A survey by "citizen scientists" for the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust found high levels of phosphates and nitrates in the River Frome and other waterways in the area.

Friends of the River Dart launch Household River Care Manual

7 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Brand new this week, a simple guide that helps households reduce their impact on rivers: "The manual goes room by room, from the kitchen and bathroom to drains, the garden and the dog, with the evidence behind every action. There is a page for homes that aren't on mains drainage, with advice on septic tanks. If you only have a few minutes, start with ten things you can do this weekend: a fat jar by the cooker, a bin in the bathroom, old medicines back to the pharmacy. You can print a one-page fridge sheet or download the whole manual as a PDF". It's a great idea we hope other groups will copy.

Toxic 'forever chemical' linked to reproductive harm found in almost all rivers and groundwater tested in England

7 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A highly persistent 'forever chemical' linked to reproductive harm has been found in virtually all rivers and groundwater tested in England, according to Environment Agency data obtained through Freedom of Information by investigative journalists from Unearthed and Watershed.

New report finds UK off track to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030

6 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Ahead of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity's COP17, The Wildlife Trusts warn urgent action is needed to get the UK's nature commitments back on track. The UK is off track to meet its global commitments to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, according to a new report from The Wildlife Trusts published today. The report, Route Map to Recovery— Fixing Nature in the UK, warns that continued delay risks both environmental recovery and national security and that urgent action is needed to close the gap between ambition and delivery on the ground..

UK oil refinery broke toxic pollution limits dozens of times, documents reveal

6 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

One of the UK's biggest oil refineries spilled pollution into local rivers and the Mersey Estuary on dozens of occasions in 2023 and 2024, BBC News reported this week.

New projects to save threatened freshwater species

5 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Some of England's rarest freshwater plants and invertebrates will benefit from major new research and conservation projects funded through the Species Recovery Programme by Freshwater Habitats Trust.

Cambridge: 100 years of the Fen Causeway

5 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A fascinating history of one of Cambridge's major river crosssings was published by Bruce Huett of the Cam Valley Forum this week.

Worldview: New map exposes dire state of American rivers as only six percent are healthy amid climate emergency

5 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A new four-year analysis mapping 5.2 million miles of U.S. rivers shows only six percent are healthy, while three‑quarters could lose biodiversity due to climate change, prompting efforts to protect and restore vulnerable waterways.

Photographer seeks... river collaborations

3 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

We had a message this week from documentary photography student Natalie Scurlock who's working on a project to document the effects of pollution on rivers and seas, and the groups working to tackle the problem. Natalie is interested in documenting upcoming campaigning events, including pollution testing and reporting sessions. If you might be interested in collaborating, you'll find more details on the Instagram page @natcapturess - or drop us an email and we'll pass it on.

Exploring the Black history of the Thames

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

From Thames21: "To understand our present, it is important to look to the past. With this in mind, we want to use the opportunity to highlight the often unexplored relationship between Black people and the River Thames. There is evidence that people of African ancestry lived and worked in Britain as far back as Roman times. In AD 43, the Romans invaded Britain, and around AD 47 they established Londinium, present day London, on the banks of the River Thames".

Sussex community quiz raises £414 for local rivers

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Water-testing citizen scientists from Western Sussex Rivers Trust held a successful fundraiser last month.

Natural flood management success at Gatwick

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

NFM is often quite modest, but here's news of a much bigger project being coordinated by South East Rivers Trust (SERT) as part of the Gatwick Airport Natural Flood Management project.

New Project White Hart website brings chalk streams to life

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Project White Hart is a multi-river restoration project led by the Test and Itchen Catchment Partnership, hosted by the Wessex Rivers Trust and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Trust. It's just published a brand new, interactive website bringing the story of England's chalk stream salmon to life.

Still no plans to shut failing sewage watchdog Ofwat... a year after Labour's promise

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

From Lucie Heath: "The i Paper understands that Sir Keir Starmer's government had developed a plan to move regulatory powers from Ofwat, but Andy Burnham decided not to publish it as he plans to go further on water reforms than his predecessor". So what happens next?

Carlsberg Britvic and The Rivers Trust launch 10-year water replenishment partnership

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The partnership will support the delivery of multiple projects across the Warwickshire Avon catchment, just 15 miles from Carlsberg Britvic's Rugby site, including on local rivers such as the Leam, helping to reconnect and enhance floodplains, create new wetland habitats and improve the landscape's ability to store and slow water.

Law: "Dammed if you don't": the impact of dam extensions explored

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Many European dams are operating well beyond their original planned life expectancy in an entirely different cimate. That's the problem examined in ClientEarth's new report "Past the Expiration Date", which looks at dam lifetime extensions and EU environmental law through case studies in Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania.

River rights: More councils adopt River Avon Charter!

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Eleven councils have adopted a community-led charter recognising the River Avon as a living entity with rights, as campaigners say more than 20 similar charters are spreading across the UK.

FBA: New project aims to secure the future of the critically endangered Malham Sedge

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A new partnership project, funded by Natural England's Species Recovery Programme (SRP), has been launched to help secure the future of some of the UK's rarest invertebrates, including the critically endangered Malham Sedge (Agrypnetes crassicornis).

Paddling for wellbeing: Sport in Mind's Waterside Festival

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Paddle UK supported Sport in Mind's annual Waterside Festival this summer. Now in its fourth year, the festival brought people together facing mental health challenges to try on-water activities in a welcoming and supportive environment.

England's reservoirs continue to feel drought strain after sixth dry month of 2026

2 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Most of England's reservoirs are now classed as notably or exceptionally low after another dry month and the government is working with water companies to ensure supplies are protected. At this time of year, the Environment Agency would expect England's overall reservoir storage to be almost three-quarters (74.3%) full. But because of this year's drought most are less than half full, with concerns for Ardingly (West Sussex) and Wimbleball (Somerset) that are 23% and 21% full respectively.

Worldview: The Colorado River is shrinking. What happens next?

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Lake Mead is part of the Colorado River system and the largest reservoir in the United States. It is now at its lowest level since it was filled nearly 90 years ago.

You don't have to live by the coast to be connected to the ocean

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Marine Conservation Society explain how they're bringing the seas ashore with education outreach (or perhaps inreach?).

Exploring the Ribble Estuary

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Kerry Stansfield wanders and wonders around Lytham for Ribble Rivers Trust.

Science: Why more precipitation does not always mean more river flow

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A new study from Matthew P. Berzonsky, Valerie Smykalov, Kayalvizhi Sadayappan, and Li Li: "By analyzing over 10,000 river basins worldwide, we found that more than one in four watersheds show diverging trends in precipitation and river discharge. In 40% of these watersheds, river flow has declined even though precipitation has increased. We also found that frequent precipitation extremes and high atmospheric demand tend to drive these mismatches. These results show that precipitation alone cannot reliably predict changes in freshwater availability and highlight the need for long-term river discharge monitoring to support water resource management under a changing climate".

Fishing conservationists say the dry rivers could spell the end of the 'Sussex tiger'

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A video report from ITV News on how months of drought have left water levels in the few streams where the rare sea trout spawn perilously low.

Tyne Rivers Trust secures £250,000 National Lottery funding

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Tyne Rivers Trust received £249,579 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its 18-month Foundations for the Future programme.

New plans for Norfolk's rivers. Will they work?

1 October 2026 08:30:00 GMT

East Anglia Bylines takes a look at the controversial new plans to "compensate" freshwater habitats for new housing developments in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which we've highlighted a few times in recent weeks.

Rivers Trust: Protecting Shared Waters in Ireland and Northern Ireland

30 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Protecting Shared Waters, a major cross border initiative to enhance water quality in two vital drinking water catchment areas, has been officially launched at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains in An Creagán, Omagh.

Only 28% of River Tyne nurdles 'recovered', researchers say

30 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Only 28% of nurdles which spilled into a river have been recovered and are expected to continue washing up on beaches in the future, scientists have calculated. Almost 18 tonnes of plastic nurdles are estimated to have spilled into the River Tyne after a collision between ships at the Port of Tyne in July.

South West Water fined £8m for hundreds of sewage spills in Cornwall and Devon

29 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A water company has been ordered to pay a record fine of almost £8m for hundreds of sewage spills at popular bathing spots and sensitive habitats in Cornwall and Devon. On one occasion, untreated sewage gushed through a harbour wall on a bank holiday weekend but South West Water (SWW) engineers took 10 hours to attend. Sewage was also discharged into the River Camel, which is home to otter and Atlantic salmon and is popular with birdwatchers and sailors.

A bumper year for dragonflies at WWT wetland sites this summer

29 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

This summer brought a diverse range of dragonfly and damselfly sightings across WWT wetlands, with rare and newly recorded species delighting visitors at sites across the UK.

Finally, sewage-dumping water bosses to lose their bonuses

29 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

CEOs of polluting water companies who have been taking home multimillion-pound payouts despite a ban on bonuses will be subject to a new clampdown on the use of "loopholes", reports Lucie Heath in The I Paper.

Science: How can El Niño cause drought and floods at the same time?

29 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Ligin Joseph from the University of Southampton explains.

Wildlife Trusts: Rise of 'mega-dairies' pushing nature to breaking point

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The rise of "mega-dairies" is pushing nature to breaking point, according to a new report from The Wildlife Trusts. The report, Doing Dairy Differently, warns that the shift towards larger, more intensive dairy systems is putting growing pressure on the land, water and wider environment on which farms, people and wildlife depend. More than 40 mega-dairies (very large-scale dairy farms) exist across the UK, the largest housing 2,600 cows. Yet unlike intensive pig and poultry units, large dairy and beef farms are not subject to the same government monitoring, meaning their size and environmental impacts are left unchecked.

WildFish supporters raise over £116,000 to protect wild fish and their waters

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

WildFish's 2026 fundraising auction raised a staggering £116,083, breaking all of its previous records. The wonderful variety and exceptional quality of auction lots on offer captured the attention of a tremendous number of bidders, as evidenced by this year's total, which has broken all of its previous records.

"Are these forever chemicals in my blood?" How one community learned the truth

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Guardian explores a community fight against forever chemicals in Blackpool.

River Action: "KFC sponsors high-profile rally at Labour Party Conference ahead of Clean Water Bill"

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

River Action were dressing up as fast food workers this week in a protest against poultry expansion: "We are demanding answers from Labour ministers over KFC's sponsorship of a Labour-affiliated event, highlighting the stark contradiction between the Government's pledge to clean up England's rivers and its approach to intensive poultry production."

Getting river pollution investigated like 'pulling teeth'

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An oil-like substance has been bubbling up in the River Avon in Bristol for years and killing wildlife, according to local residents who have made regular reports to the Environment Agency (EA). Nicola Irvine, who lives in Crews Hole, said it had been like "pulling teeth" getting the EA to investigate the pollution since she contacted them in July 2025.

Campaigners call for greater protection of River Severn

28 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Campaigners gathered in Ironbridge on Sunday to raise awareness of the importance of the River Severn and the fight to protect it from pollution. One of those marching, resident Helen Harvey, told the BBC: "I live here and I've seen the decline in the river over the last 10 years - before it was teeming with wildlife there were plenty of plants growing along the river bank."

World Rivers Day: We need to give our rivers a fighting chance

27 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Simon Hunter, Chief Executive of Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, explains why the fight for rivers must continue.

Would you like funding from the National Lottery?

25 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Could your group be eligible for support?: "We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We give out funding from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme, to over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund".

Happy World Rivers Day to rivers everywhere!

27 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Millions of people in over 100 countries will, once again, be celebrating their rivers on the last Sunday in September.

River Wye pollution plan "too little, too late" for anglers

25 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Anglers say they feel "dismayed and betrayed" over the latest plans to tackle pollution in the River Wye. Ross-on-Wye Angling Club (RoWAC) has strongly criticised the Environment Agency's (EA) Diffuse Water Pollution Plan (DWPP), which aims to address pollution in the River Wye Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Anna Dixon, MP: It's time to bring water back into public hands

25 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Writing in The Yorkshire Post this week, the Shipley MP explains why "our rivers are being poisoned by a broken system" and why it's time for public ownership once more.

Pollute rivers if you like: so long as you pay for deer cull, housebuilders told

25 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

As we reported last week, a new quid-pro-quo scheme for housebuilders is raising eyebrows in East Anglia. Lucie Heath takes up the case in The I: "In a bid to boost housebuilding, ministers have agreed to a plan that they admit will see increased sewage being pumped into Norfolk's rare chalk streams". But some bigger, broader context is needed here. Last November, we raised eyebrows over Tony Juniper's disappointing conversion on the Tarmac-paved road to Damascus, switching his view from an exhortation "not to trot out the tired old thinking of the late 20th century" (at Friends of the Earth, 2007) to doing precisely that with a 1990s "green capitalist" relish at "how seamlessly environmental ambition aligns with business objectives" (at Natural England, 2025). This is the "tired-old" "builders not blockers thinking" that essentially informs the new East Anglian plan.

First look behind scenes of UK-first Severn Trent sewage plant

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

BBC Midlands science and environment correspondent David Gregory-Kumar looks at the new Monkmoor Sewage Treatment, outside Shrewsbury, which treats and cleans waste water that can be returned to the system with a quality almost the same as that in a river. Campaign group Up Sewage Creek said the firm had not been "very transparent" over whether the operation is truly effective and offers value for money.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust launches interactive 'Watery Walk' in Distington

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The walking route follows Stubskill Beck and features five unique oak sculptures created by artist Daniel Weatheritt. Commissioned by West Cumbria Rivers Trust, the sculptures form the centrepiece of the new Watery Walk, inviting visitors to explore the stories of local wildlife and the landscape around them.

Wildlife Trust: Britains are hungry for nature protection

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The British public want more than 60% of Britain's land protected for nature, according to new polling being taken to the Labour Conference this weekend by The Wildlife Trusts. The figure is more than double the UK Government's commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

FBA: The next five years' commitment to action for freshwaters

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) has launched its new Organisational Plan for 2026-2031, setting out an ambitious programme of work to increase action and impact for freshwater ecosystems over the next five years.

Connecting a local community to their river in Co Tyrone

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An update from Northern Ireland on a Speedwell Trust project to engage the community around the Torrent River through education and activities such as litter picking, with volunteers playing an important role.

Pierrepont Farm welcomes water voles to the River Wey

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

From The Countryside Regeneration Trust: "We’re delighted to be part of a huge community effort to bring water voles back to the River Wey - where they were locally extinct - from the South Downs to the Thames. 300 nationally-endangered water voles have been reintroduced to a main section of River Wey in West Surrey".

Ash Smith's report on the Parliamentary Water "referendum debate"

24 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

WASP (Windrush Against Sewage Pollution campaigner Ash Smith and friends were in Parliament last week to watch the debate prompted by his stunningly successful petition, which has been signed by 213,266 people to date. Here's his account of what happened on the day.

Invasive demon shrimp discovered in River Kennet tributary

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An invasive species of shrimp has been discovered in a protected waterway, raising concerns for native species and the wider ecosystem. The charity Action for the River Kennet (ARK) is urging those who encounter the species, which can outcompete native species, to report it to them - and follow the government's Check, Clean, Dry guidance to stop the demon shrimp spreading further.

Campaigner seeks protection for 'unwell' River Teme

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A campaigner says he wants to see the River Teme given more legal rights because he believes it has become "unwell". Sam Jones, who lives in Shropshire, says he has seen a decline in aquatic species and an "invasion" by non-native species of both plants and animals.

Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust: Skeeby Beck: A River Reconnected

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Sarah Lonsdale explains how a major slurry pollution episode led to the rewarding regeneration of Skeeby Beck.

Fracking: Friends of the Earth objects to permit for North Yorkshire project

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Groundwater concerns are one of the issues highlighted in Friends of the Earth's formal objection to an Environment Agency proposal to grant Europa Gas and Oil a permit for its planned fracking operations in Burniston, North Yorkshire.

River Action: Join us in calling for a new chapter for Thames Water

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

River Action have just launched The Tiger Who Came For Our Water, a parody book that uses the story of a very greedy tiger to explain how excessive debt, underinvestment in infrastructure and profiteering have contributed to the crisis facing Thames Water.

The Rivers Trust: Revealing the extent of chemical pollution in our ecosystems

23 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Armed with bottles of river water and some rather cute looking needle-felt animals, The Rivers Trust joined Fidra and CHEM Trust at Wild Summit 2026 to host an interactive event unveiling the extent of chemical pollution in our ecosystems.

Science: England is rainy again. So why is it still in drought?

22 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Lucy Clarke, Associate Professor of Environmental Resliience at Nottingham Trent University, explains why "rain" and "drought" are not mutually exclusive.

Southern Water fined £2.4m for Kent pollution

22 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

It's the Environment Agency's second successful prosecution of the company this year, with other cases going through court.

Town residents demand action over 'eyesore' River Welland

20 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

More than 600 people have signed a petition calling on authorities to deal with an "eyesore" section of river in Market Harborough. Residents have raised concerns over potential flood risks due to overgrown vegetation along parts of the River Welland, while others have commented on the state of the river's appearance.

RSPB: Feeding garden birds: how to keep our feathered friends healthy

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

RSPB have just issued a reminder of their new bird-feeding advice: "Back in April, we updated our advice on feeding garden birds, asking that we all feed seasonally and feed safely. To help tackle disease among garden birds, we advise not feeding seeds or peanuts between 1 May and 31 October. We also recommend cleaning and moving feeders weekly, changing water daily, and not using bird tables or other flat-surfaced feeders".

Stepped up efforts to prevent England remaining in drought by next spring

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The government has today urged water companies not to lose momentum and carry on water efficiency measures until the drought is over.

Science: Why most rivers don’t respond to storms the same way twice

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The same amount of rain falling on the same landscape at different times can send very different amounts of water into its rivers, according to a new study from hydrologists at the University of British Columbia, published in Nature Water. The research offers a global picture of how catchments behave—not where rivers are or how much water they carry—but how consistently landscapes turn rainfall into river flow.

Thames Water updates plans for new Abingdon (White Horse) reservoir

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The (two decades) long-running saga of the giant Abingdon Reservoir continues. The estimated cost of the project has rocketed from £2.2bn to between £5.5bn and £7.5bn after a review last year more than tripled the site to 38 sq km to accommodate extra building works, relocate adjacent solar farms and reroute local rivers and streams. Another HS2 in the offing?

Science: What anglers have taught me about saving England's sharks

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Matthew Witt from the University of Exeter explains why putting "anglers and conservation scientists together" gives "sharper insight into how to manage the marine world sustainably".

BBC World Service: Should rivers have personhood?

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The topical issue unpicked in a recent radio broadcast with help from Prof Nick Mount (geographer and river scientist), Dr Erin O’Donnell (author, senior lecturer and ARC research fellow, University of Melbourne Law School, Australia), Pier-Olivier Boudreault (director of conservation for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society), Naveeda Khan (Department of Anthropology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA) and others.

The world's rivers are at breaking point. Can we save them before it is too late?

18 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Bibi van der Zee introduces "Our rivers", a new project that launches this week, in which The Guardian will spend the next year taking a closer look at the world's rivers, in good health and bad.

Working toward a chemical-free Charmouth

18 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

It was great to see this week's update from West Dorset's River Char Action Group on efforts to identify and tackle the things polluting their river. One of their potential new projects is Chemical Free Charmouth: "... a local scheme to help gardeners, homeowners, pet owners and landowners reduce and then eliminate their use of toxic chemical pesticides and herbicides - so these chemicals don't get into our river. We’re planning a talk about the subject in Charmouth on Wednesday 25th November". They need a bit of help, so if you're in the West Dorset/Devon border area, do get in touch.

Thames Water must be temporarily nationalised and its debt rescue plan blocked, MPs say

18 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A selection of MPs from across the political spectrum are pushing for Thames Water's debt rescue plan to be blocked. A report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) said Thames Water had reached the 'end of the road' and should be temporarily placed into state ownership, with talks over a £10billion takeover halted.

River Action: "Thames Water: the Government has run out of excuses"

18 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A comment piece from River Action underlines the need to shift Thames Water into Special Administration: "Thames Water has endured years of financial distress, environmental failure and regulatory intervention. Its customers and our rivers are paying the price while creditors extract and control the company's future. Special Administration creates the opportunity for a fundamental reset, not simply another change of hands. The objective must be to build a Thames Water that serves its customers, protects our rivers and is financially and operationally resilient for the long term".

Big River Watch calls on public to monitor river health following record dry summer

18 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

As a summer of record-breaking dry weather and prolonged heat begins to come to a close, thousands of citizen scientists are preparing to take part in the Big River Watch to help monitor the impacts of extreme weather and pollution on river health and inform vital conservation work by The Rivers Trust. From 18th-24th September 2026, the public are invited to record observations of pollution, wildlife, and river conditions through The Rivers Trust's free Big River Watch app. Surveys take just 15 minutes to complete and key results are published in near-real time on the Big River Watch online dashboard, allowing anyone to see and help build a national picture of river health across one week.

Flour grinding moves closer after River Itchen mill's work

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A river under one of the country's oldest watermills has been dammed as part of work that is hoped will see flour being ground once again. The River Itchen has been temporarily blocked so that a new sluice gate can be installed at the National Trust's Winchester City Mill.

Birmingham Community Paddlesports: How to create sustainable relationships with local waterways

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Birmingham Community Paddlesports Project is led by Olympic canoeist Andy Train and supported by Paddle UK, StreetGames, and the Canal and River Trust. Over the years it has introduced more than 1,400 young people to paddlesport.

New government unveils plans to "unlock" over 15,000 new homes

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A controversial new plan to permit housebuilding schemes with a bigger quid-pro-quo for the environment was announced by Defra this week: "Rather than paying for piecemeal and costly nature mitigations as required under previous regimes, the scheme in Norfolk will see developers fund large scale improvements to rivers and wetlands across the county, which are home to species such as otters, water voles and wetland birds, and visited by millions of people each year... The area earmarked for new homes and nature restoration includes the River Wensum, Bure Broads and Marshes, and Yare Broads and Marshes catchments, covering a substantial part of central and eastern Norfolk".

WildFish: Battling Barriers: An Interview with Friends of the Ems

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

In an interview with Sandy Galloway, founding member of Friends of the Ems and SmartRivers group lead, WildFish journeyed down this rare and diverse chalkstream, unpicking the threats and discovering why it, like so many across the country, urgently needs better protection.

2025 was among driest years on record for world's rivers, study finds

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Rivers across the world experienced one of their driest years in more than three decades in 2025, a comprehensive study of global water resources has found. The assessment of the global water cycle by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals a depletion in the world's water savings bank: the amount of freshwater held on or under the ground, including groundwater, lakes, rivers, snow, ice moisture in the soil and inside plants and trees, was 42% below normal across the world last year.

Warning over water leak's impact on New Forest Beaulieu River

17 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A large water leak in the New Forest could have a "severe" impact on sensitive habitats, conservationists have warned. A burst main near the A35 outside Lyndhurst on Wednesday sent tens of thousands of litres of chlorinated water into the headwaters of the Beaulieu River.

Salmon numbers in England hit lowest level on record

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

New research from the Environment Agency (EA), Cefas and Natural Resources Wales confirms salmon stocks in England are at their lowest level since records began. The Atlantic Salmon Stock Assessment for 2025 shows 95% of principal salmon rivers are now below the level needed to sustain their populations. This is up from 88% in last year's assessment, and the highest level recorded to date.

Feargal Sharkey: "Salmon are now on the endangered species list. We should hang our heads in shame"

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Telegraph has a follow-up on the EA's salmon story, with quotes from Feargal Sharkey, Mark Owen of the Angling Trust, and others.

Feargal Sharkey: "You have to change the ownership. That's the issue at the heart of it"

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Plans to give mayors powers to oversee water companies will not save England's rivers from sewage pollution, campaign groups are warning. Feargal Sharkey describes the latest plan as a kind of musical chairs: "We're simply replacing one committee with another committee. It will not work. It cannot work. It needs to be dropped today".

Don't back down on pledge to put water firms under public control, Burnham told

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Meanwhile, the PM's plan to give mayors powers of local water supplies has also come under fire from some of his closest policy advisors.

El Niño - How farmers can prepare

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

After a summer of unprecedented heatwaves and drought, Britain could face another barrage of extreme weather over the coming months - this time with El Niño potentially making the impacts of climate change even more pronounced. Scientists and climate experts are raising concerns over the weather pattern brewing in the Pacific Ocean. NFFN have taken a look at why this is the case, what it could mean for UK farmers, and what they can do to prepare and increase their farms' resilience.

Britain's most artificial landscape may not survive climate change

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Two climate scientists from the University of East Anglia explain why East Anglia is under particular threat: "The Fens face several climate threats that reinforce one another. Rising sea levels, heavier downpours, hotter summers, longer droughts and biodiversity loss are all expected to intensify over the coming decades. These are all serious challenges, and in the Fens they will play out within one tightly interconnected system".

The areas of the UK facing drought and water shortages until next spring

16 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

New research by the Environment Agency shows the country will need above average-rainfall throughout autumn and winter for most areas to be out of drought by April 2027. There is a one in four chance that six regions of England will still have drought status by this date, if the country receives 80 per cent of typical rainfall.

You might have dreamed of visiting the once-perfect River Spey. Now it's on the brink

15 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

In the I paper, Patrick Cockburn argues the story of the Spey is a wake-up call to save our natural world: "The fate of the Spey - 107 miles long, running north from its source in Loch Spey in the Monadhliath mountains to the Moray Firth east of Inverness - is so important because it is symptomatic of the destructive impact of warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers on the Highlands as a whole".

Hands up who's bashed most balsam this summer?

15 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Eden Rivers Trust estimated they'd tackled two million plants; now West Cumbria Rivers Trust are claiming to have gone one better with an extraordinary 2.9 million of the pesky blighters removed.

"Tidal wave" of PFAS being launched to satisfy AI industry, campaigners warn

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Already in the firing line for excessive water use, big-tech data centres are now coming under scrutiny for the "forever" chemicals needed in their cooling systems.

MPs: "The failures of the past cannot continue"... but you can be pretty sure they will

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Last Monday, 14 September, MPs debated Ash Smith's proposal for a referendum on public ownership of the water industry - and you can read a transcript of the debate here. Minister Emma Hardy trotted out the usual mix of waffle, cliches, and empty promises: "... fundamental questions about ownership... customers and communities pay the price... infrastructure is crumbling... move towards a better system... significant reform... challenge around ageing infrastructure... major investment... a system that protects customers, improves the environment and secures reliable water services for the future... no single easy fix... the failures of the past cannot continue... look at all possible solutions... make the sector work for people and places again... I will not pretend that there is one simple answer..." But still no concrete action whatsoever on what most everyone, outside government, agrees is critical: the fundamental ownership model.

Will Andy Act? Another child ill after swimming in Windermere

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Save Windermere campaign explain why people swimming in the lake are still falling ill, how bathing water designation fails, and what needs to be done.

WSRT: £680,000 funding boost for our chalk streams

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Western Sussex Rivers announce they're "extremely grateful to have secured £680,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy and the Wildlife Rich Habitat Fund for projects to improve the resilience of the River Ems and Lavant" - and explain here what they'll be doing with all that cash.

Thames21: Five-year action plan launched to improve the River Thames and its tributaries from Maidenhead to Teddington

14 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Environmental charity Thames21 and its partners have launched the Maidenhead to Teddington Catchment Action Plan 2026-2031, a collaborative plan setting out an ambitious vision to restore the Thames and its tributaries between Maidenhead and Teddington.

MPs will debate a petition relating to a referendum on public ownership of the water sector

13 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Ash Smith's WASP petition gets airtime on Monday 14 September. You can watch the debate on live TV or YouTube or read the transcript (when it's published) here.

The Big River Watch is here

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Apologies, everyone, that we got the dates wrong in recent updates (carrying them over from last year)... but at least we were premature, and you didn't miss anything! The Big River Watch happens this week, from 18th to the 24th of September 2026.

Heatwaves are making toxic algae worse, but the real problem is what we are putting into our rivers and lakes

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Two researchers from Dublin City University explain why algal blooms happen... and how climate change is making matters worse.

How heavy rain powers a microplastic surge from the rivers to the seas

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Rivers worldwide delivered an estimated 263,000 tons of microplastics to the ocean in 2022, according to researchers. About 96% came from the Global South, with Southeast and East Asia together accounting for more than half of the total.

"Broken Rivers": new WildFish report reveals how in-river barriers are driving wild fish decline

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

WildFish have published a new report about the artificial barriers driving wild fish decline, and the steps we can take to restore river connectivity. The "Broken Rivers" report highlights the shocking scale of river fragmentation and the number of obsolete barriers that no longer serve their original purposes, yet continue to block migratory routes for wild fish.

Good news: climate solutions most likely to reach 'positive tipping points' revealed by scientists

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A rapid global shift to clean electricity could trigger a "cascade" of progress towards repairing the damage to the planet by the climate crisis, according to a report identifying the environmental solutions most likely to bring about change.

Archelon: The biggest turtle to ever live

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

From the Natural History Museum this week, a handy "spotter's" guide to archelon, the largest turtle that ever lived. The biggest specimen, discovered in South Dakota in the United States, measures 4.6 metres long, with a flipper-to-flipper span of four metres (about the same length as a small SUV and quite a bit wider).

New Glasgow alliance formed to take River Clyde into new era

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Leading names in Glasgow's maritime and engineering industries have joined forces with education and public-sector organisations to embark on a new drive to unlock the economic potential of the River Clyde, reports The Herald (£££££).

The failure of the Fisheries Act 2020

10 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Open Seas, who work on Scottish marine protection, are taking aim at what they see as an ineffective piece of legislation: "The Fisheries Act was supposed to see the UK 'take back control of its waters' and deliver sustainable management of fish populations. Six years on, the UK Government claims it’s been working 'as intended'. We disagree. Independent scrutiny of this flagship legislation is urgently needed - that’s why we’re asking the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee to take a closer look at whether the law is being implemented effectively".

Grimsy's "Canoe River Cleaner" on his latest mission

9 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

James Elliott, "The Canoe River Cleaner", will soon be taking to the waterways to clean up the riverhead near Grimsby Town Centre. He has spent almost five years of his life cleaning the waterways around the borough and says now is the perfect time to clean up the town centre location as part of Grimsby’s regeneration efforts.

Eden Rivers Trust balsam bashers uproot almost two million plants

9 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Eden Rivers Trust has hosted several days this year to pull out the non-native plant - recognisable by its pink bonnet-shaped flowers and thin stems - from Cumbria's riverbanks, paths and fields. Volunteers have been now invited to the final "balsam bashing" events in a bid to uproot a target of two million invasive Himalayan balsam plants by the autumn.

Witney MP Charlie Maynard scoops Rivers and Seas Award 2026!

9 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An MP has won a national award for taking Thames Water to court over its handling of sewage and finances. Charlie Maynard, Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, received the Rivers and Seas Award at the 2026 Political Purpose Awards, held at the House of Commons on Tuesday evening.

What do the oceans need from politicians?

9 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

As party conference season speeds up, the Marine Conservation Society reveal their top policy priorities.

Water company fined record £900k after coastline sewage spill

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

United Utilities Water has been hit with £964,225 in fines and costs at Preston Magistrates' Court this week after pleading guilty to five environmental permit offences following a major pollution incident in Lancashire. The offences followed a serious environmental incident between 11 and 22 June 2023, when raw sewage was discharged into the Irish Sea along the Fylde Coast from three coastal pumping stations for more than 35 hours in total over several days.

South West Water visits help Devon schools save water

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Keen to redeem itself after a run of recent bad publicity, South West Water has been doing useful educational outreach across the region, offering tips that could save 15 million litres of water a year. But...

South West Water revising St Mary's sewage plans following backlash

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

South West Water has updated councillors and residents on the Isles of Scilly on its amended plans for managing the wastewater on St Mary’s after being told to deliver appropriate, secondary treatment by the Environment Agency. The firm must now bring the system up to legal standards by September 2027 or face enforcement action.

'River is flowing better than it has for 25 years'

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Water levels in the River Deben in Suffolk dropped by more than a metre after heavy rain caused a weir structure at Ufford, near Woodbridge, to fall away and a bridge to partially collapse. While they are still to be fixed, water in the river is again running freely after a multi-agency and community effort saw vital excavations and tree removal take place.

Planning system ignores salmon farms cumulative risk to wild fish

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A new expert report exposes the cumulative threat posed by Scottish salmon farms currently being ignored by local authorities and the regulatory failure leaving wild salmon unprotected. Nick Underdown, Scotland Director at WildFish, explains the findings and what this new information tells us about the impact of sea lice on wild fish.

How beavers can help create fire breaks as part of a drought preparation plan

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Bangor University's Christian Dunn looks at rewilding lessons learned from the National Trust Holnicote Estate, which suggest beavers are truly great "ecosystem engineers" and even, potentially, "firefighters".

Now is the time for the UK's first Wetland City

8 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Sarah Fowler of WWT offers a new vision for the future: "It may sound counterintuitive, but bringing water back to our cities offers a solution to so many of the climate risks we face. When the rain falls, the damper and more permeable the land, the more it can hold water and slow its flow. While so much of our cities are full of concrete, the blue spaces within them provide essential buffers during wetter weather - boosting our resilience to drought and floods while providing a refuge for people and wildlife alike".

Explore Eden in Autumn 2026

6 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Eden Rivers Trust have just published the autumn edition of their 'Explore Eden' newsletter, with lots of ideas to help you to explore the Eden river catchment throughout the season.

September news from the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust

6 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Great news from the North, including progress on reviewing and removing barriers as part of the Great Yorkshire Rivers project − a collaboration between Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, the Rivers Trust, and other regional rivers trusts in Yorkshire.

What has Save Our Swale been up to?

6 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

More news from the North, with an update on Swale pollution and the campaign to improve the quality of their designated bathing water.

Plea to give Thames seals space for everyone's safety

5 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

As the number of seal sightings along the River Thames increases, charity Thames Seal Watch has urged members of the public to give the animals space, noting how "the UK Government recently dismissed the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) recommendation to legally protect our UK Seals from intentional or reckless disturbance"

Kielder secrets: how a lake built for steel helps fight drought

5 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Much of England has faced drought conditions during a summer marked by repeated heatwaves, but the North East has been spared water scarcity despite experiencing what the Environment Agency dubs "prolonged dry weather". One of the, quite literally, biggest reasons is that Northumberland is home to England's largest reservoir: Kielder Water.

Wildlife Trusts: New study finds large areas of Britain could support the return of pine martens

5 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A new study has found that large parts of England and Wales offer suitable habitat for pine martens, despite the iconic species disappearing from much of the UK more than a century ago.

Will the disposable barbecue ban become permanent?

5 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Keep Britain Tidy (along with volunteer beach cleaners and litter pickers everywhere) will certainly be hoping so. In a 2022 KBT survey answered by 104 local authorities, 83% said that disposable BBQs cause significant issues for them, and 87% would like to see government intervention to help them tackle these issues.

The I: "We invited 9 water firm bosses to swim in their local bathing spot. Zero said yes"

5 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

No big surprise that water company bosses declined to take a quick dip between their local sewage discharges...

Friends of the River Wye: Macrophyte training begins

4 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

An exciting update on how citizen scientists are being trained for the new "Ranunculus Project", with their first gathering on the banks of the Usk in Usk town on 28th August.

Help Clean River Action's campaign to protect the River Soar

4 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Over in Leicester, Clean River Action have launched their "River Soar Protection Letter" this week to demand transparency, accountability, and improved public reporting on sewage pollution. It passed 500 signatures in just 24 hours from local residents, river users, parents, students, anglers, and community groups. If you have a connection with, or interest in, the Soar, do please add your voice to the campaign and send off a letter.

Revealed: how companies 'secretly' use billions of litres of public water in drought-hit England

4 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Guardian reports: "Less than 1% of businesses in England use more water than the daily needs of 10 million people, as millions of households face hosepipe bans and three-quarters of the country is in drought".

More than 50 Scottish rivers polluted by toxic pet chemicals

4 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Hurrah, the pet treatment issue has reached "tipping point". This week, we learned that: "Toxic chemicals used to kill fleas on hundreds of thousands of pets have contaminated more than 50 rivers across Scotland at levels that could harm wildlife, according to the Scottish Government's green watchdog. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has found concentrations of two common flea treatment chemicals up to 25 times higher than those considered safe. Rivers that have been polluted include the Clyde, the Forth, the Almond, the Tweed, the Ayr and the Annan".

Wye Water Summit to tackle drought pressures on Welsh farms and rivers

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Cymru is organising The Wye Water Summit on 1 October 2026 on the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. Following a summer of drought, this forum provides a unique opportunity to discuss the consequences of the recent prolonged hot weather and how to build resilience for the future.

Sewage discharges cause 'toxic cocktail' in Cotswold rivers

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Ash Smith of WASP is back in the news this week, telling BBC News that sewage dumping in Oxfordshire waterways over the bank holiday weekend has caused a "toxic and dangerous" bacterial "cocktail". (While we're name-checking Ash, don't forget that the parliamentary debate on river pollution he successfully petitioned for is coming up on 14 September.)

'Our homes are on the line': Flood campaigners take on six-day canoe journey down the River Severn

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

A group of campaigners are canoeing and kayaking the River Severn to raise awareness of the impact of flooding. Starting at Llanidloes in mid Wales on 1 September, the Severn Together flotilla will end its voyage in Bridgnorth, in Shropshire on 6 September.

SAS: Water firms accused of dumping sewage in rivers and seas over 43,000 hours over summer

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Mirror tells us "PM Andy Burnham is facing calls to tackle a "glaring public health crisis" as Surfers Against Sewage reveals it received 636 sickness reports from people who said they became ill after swimming in the nation's rivers, lakes and seas this summer".

Why the world can't agree how to tackle drought

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Susan Ann Samuel, Postdoctoral Researcher in International Climate Politics, University of Leeds, looks at what happened when delegates from 196 nations met at a recent COP in Mongolia to discuss how best to tackle drought and desertification.

FBA: A new strategic vision for the Lake District's freshwaters

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The Freshwater Biological Association looks at the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA)'s ambitious new "Partnership Plan 2026-2031", with help from Cath Johnson, LDNPA's Natural Environment Advisor.

Flood models need to behave like real rivers

3 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Global flood maps could be improved by dropping a decades-old assumption that all rivers behave the same way, according to new research. Most global flood models assume a river fills to the top of its banks about once every two years. But a major international study published in August 2026 has found this does not hold everywhere. Rivers in the tropics reach these "bankfull" conditions far more often than rivers in arid regions. Professor Hannah Cloke, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science at the University of Reading and a co-author of the study, said: "Real rivers are not interchangeable pipes. If we want better flood maps, our models have to represent the river that is actually carrying the water."

Jenny Jones: "Thames Water, I refuse to pay the sewage charge in my bill while you pollute Britain's rivers and coastlines"

2 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

The veteran Green Party politician explains why she decided to stop paying the sewage element of her Thames Water bill.

Rainwater or Wastewater? The Importance of Outfall Surveys

2 September 2026 08:30:00 GMT

With growing concern around sewage pollution in UK rivers, identifying misconnected drains and polluted surface water outfalls has become increasingly important in protecting local waterways and wildlife. Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust explain how they set about doing detailed surveys of combined sewer outfalls (CSOs). A dirty job, perhaps, but it's great that someone's doing it!