There will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the state of
the river in an event ‘The River Wharfe – Liquid Eden’ during the
forthcoming Wetherby Festival which opens on Friday, 4th and runs
until the 12th.
The Festival, now in its fifth decade, is a great part of our lovely
community. There is a wonderful programme in place. You will find
more at www.wetherbyfestival.co.uk/whats-on.
This report featured in the BW September newsletter:
Linda Richards and other members of Wetherby and Villages Clean River group (WVCRG) recently attended a meeting convened by Leeds City Council regarding the implications of achieving Bathing Water status for the River Wharfe in Wetherby. Claire Campbell from the Environment Agency gave an update as to the action and sampling which the Agency undertake as a result of bathing water status. This sampling is done weekly from May 1 to September 30. It is expected that, in November, a classification (from excellent to poor) of the quality of the river water in Wetherby will be made. It is noted that the River Wharfe bathing quality at Ilkley, some 20 miles upstream, has been classified as “poor” for the last 3 years.
WVCRG is also involved in an ongoing additional sampling project with York University. All designated bathing water sites across the UK were invited to participate, along with Surfers against Sewage and Watershed Investigations. This project involved daily sampling of the Wharfe at Wetherby to enable broader analysis of the pollutants in the river.
WVCRG is continuing to push for improvement in the quality of the river. Achieving the water status has raised the profile of water quality with Leeds City Council and they now engage positively on this issue. Signage will be available regarding the water quality not only on the bathing site but possibly elsewhere. People are encouraged to report any pollution incidents on the river via the incident hotline for the Environment Agency – 0800 807060.
Wetherby and Villages Clean River group was pleased to attend a meeting convened by Leeds City Council regarding the implications of achieving Bathing Water status for the river Wharfe in Wetherby.
Ward Councillors including Norma Harrington and Alan Lamb who have been working on this issue for the last few years attended. Claire Campbell from the Environment Agency gave an update as to the action and sampling which the Environment Agency undertake as a result of bathing water status. This sampling is done weekly from May 1 to September 30.
In November, a classification of the quality of the river water will be made, from excellent to poor. Do not be surprised if the quality is not as we would wish.
This classification will remain until the following year when it will be reviewed as a result of further weekly testing during the next bathing water season from May 1 to September 30.
WVCRG reported to the group of the work being done on the ongoing additional sampling project in which they are involved. All designated bathing water sites across the UK were invited to participate in a project with York University, Surfers against Sewage and Watershed Investigations. This project involved daily sampling of the river Wharfe at Wetherby to enable broader analysis of the pollutants in the river. These results will be shared as we receive them in the next few weeks.
WVCRG will continue to work to push for improvement in the quality of the river Wharfe for all its users and inhabitants. Achieving the water status has raised the profile of water quality, with Leeds City Council and they now engage positively on this issue. Signage will be available regarding the water quality not only on the bathing site but possibly elsewhere.
Residents are encouraged to report any pollution incidents which they see on the river Wharfe via the incident Hot Line for the EA. The number is 0800 807060.
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.
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.
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.
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 –
