An important article and study about antibiotic levels within our waters, led by Professor Alistair Boxall and the University of York.
Click on the image to read the BBC article
What have we been up to over the last few weeks?
What have we been up to over the last few weeks?
We’ve been down at the river Wharfe collecting water samples as part of a study by the University of York, Surfers Against Sewage and Watershed investigations.
All designated bathing water sites were asked to be part of this study, which aims to look at the bacteria and pollutants in our rivers.
We look forward to seeing the results!
Bathing Water Status Secured
Wetherby and Villages Clean River Group are delighted to announce that Bathing Water Status has been approved by DEFRA for the River Wharfe in Wetherby
This status is important because it ensures that the water quality is monitored to a much higher standard than the normal requirements. This means that the level of impurities and sources of them are more easily understood and empowers those responsible (Yorkshire Water and the Department for the Environment) to act upon this by investing in infrastructure. This has already happened in Ilkley since they were granted BWS in 2022.
It is not a magic silver bullet, and will not happen overnight but it is part of the process of managing and caring for our beautiful River Wharfe.
Status has been granted because of the work which has been done by members of our community. The first application started in 2022 with members of Boston Spa, Thorp Arch and Wetherby Town Councils working with interested residents who collected the necessary data by counting the number of users on the river Wharfe. This application was rejected in 2023 but it was decided to apply again focussing entirely on the riverside bandstand area near the bridge as it more easily fulfilled the range of criteria needed for an application such as local businesses and services.
This has been a wonderful community effort to achieve the status which we believe reflects the importance of the Wharfe in the lives of all residents both in the town and surrounding villages.
The work now begins to ensure that the necessary changes are put in place to support a healthy river for all its users.
New bathing sites
Twenty seven new bathing sites are being considered for England, but campaigners have said that swimming remains dangerous in many areas because of the pathogens caused by sewage dumping.
If all of these sites are granted, it will be the largest ever number of bathing sites in rivers, lakes and coastal areas approved in one year. Activists campaign for bathing water status because it means the government is obliged to test the quality of the water throughout the summer months.
Film aims to capture river life
This week’s Wetherby News features a page 26 article entitled “Film aims to capture river life”.
It describes the work of Mark Barrow, who is a landscape gardener by trade but who has also worked as a freelance underwater filmmaker specialising in freshwater. He has recently edited down 400 hours of footage into a self-funded 60 minute documentary to showcase the amazing underwater world that is the 65 mile long River Wharfe.
His aim is to emphasise the need for rivers to be protected and restored. For 15 years now Mark has been campaigning for cleaner rivers and often shares clips on social media showing sewage discharges and other pollution.
However the main focus of Mark’s film – “River Wharfe: A Living Artery” is about shining a light on the diverse natural world underwater. This link will take you to Mark’s Facebook page where he sets out the timetable for publishing the film and features some clips from it –
News and events
This blog will display news and events information in chronological order, newest first. It can be filtered by category from the list to the right