The Great Ouse is the fifth longest river in the UK and to get a fuller understanding of the contaminants in the Great Ouse, we have been working with other science citizen projects and organisations so that we can review and contrast the different issues.
As BedsGOVET has now been active for a couple of years, we are in a good position to mentor and support new projects.
One such project is the Great Ouse Valley Trust, (GOVT) whose mission is ‘to protect the landscape, wildlife and heritage of the Great Ouse Valley and environs in the county of Cambridgeshire.’
With a similar remit to our own to ‘promote for public benefit the conservation, restoration and enjoyment of the river.’
The team, led by Lucas Tatek, a keen wild swimmer, were able to take advantage of our knowledge by providing demonstrations of the testing kits, advice on the monitoring equipment to use, and the best way to manage data, as well as introductions other organizations such as Freshwater Watch.
Lucas and his three volunteers, funded by Houghton Parish Council, are undertaking monthly tests for E.Coli the Great Ouse, in particular at Houghton Mill, which has a National Trust campsite near the river where many people, including children, swim in the summer months.
“It’s imperative we obtain water quality status and ensure its safe to swim, and secondly, to understand how sewage and farming pollution, such as nitrates are impacting the biodiversity of our river.
Without the help of BedsGOVET we wouldn’t be up and running as we are now” says Lucas.
GOVT are also looking at a new method of E.coli testing which involves growing E.coli cultures in petri dishes in an incubator from water samples taken.
This innovative test is very low cost as it doesn’t have to be sent to a laboratory, and the results are turned around within 24 hours, which enables easier identification of the sources of E.coli through multiple, repeated tests.
Helping and working alongside other organizations and projects is vital to be able to understand the ecology of the river as a whole and to see where efforts need to be focused to ensure the whole river is kept clean and free from toxic contaminants.
At BedsGOVET if you are interested, or know of any other organisations that would like our assistance, or just to link up to share results and knowledge please do get in touch with our Chair, Alan Horn.
Alternatively, if you would like to get involved and volunteer with BedsGOVET or other science citizen projects please contact Henry Lafferty, for education opportunities email Alison Symonds, and for business partnership/Pr opportunities, email Inga Wells.
Our new website is now up and running so please do take a look to find out more, or contact us through our Facebook page.
By Inga Wells. Executive MBA, PG Dip DMS
The Bedford Independent is proud to support BedsGOVET in their
vital work to monitor water quality in the River Great Ouse
and provide them with space for a column as
part of their Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign.
