How you can support clean rivers

Conserving water

Efforts to reduce water usage helps to minimize the strain placed on watercourses, namely those used in the extraction of water for human use and consumption. The over-exhaustion of these watercourses can result in the following:

habitat loss
flow alterations
increased susceptibility to pollution and disease

Every individual can make an impact to protect water courses through the conservation of water. Simple measures that can be taken by everyone include:

taking shorter showers, and use of showers instead of baths. Low-flow shower heads can be implemented for further water conservation
implementation and use of water-efficient and dual-flush toilets
collection and use of rainwater for gardening purposes through water butts
identification and quick fix of leaks in taps, pipes and toilets to minimize preventable water loss
the reusing of water, commonly known as greywater. For example, water collected from a shower drain can also be used as toilet water
ensuring that taps aren’t run when water isn’t needed, and are properly switched off after use
dishwashers and washing machines should be fully loaded to reduce the need for multiple uses
use of a water meter to track usage, helping to both conserve water and reduce water bills

Similar precautions can also be taken in the workplace, especially if you are a manager or able to suggest water conservation methods:

water consumption can be tracked through water audits or meters to identify potential leaks or overuse
rainwater can be harvested from gutters for use elsewhere
employees and coworkers can be educated on individual smart water habits regardless of your work position

Householder good guidance for drains

Being careful about what enters your plumbing system is an easy way to help combat watercourse pollution. This largely includes what is flushed down the toilet, since products such as wet wipes and sanitary products that are often flushed can damage environments.

Medication is also often flushed down the toilet as it is mistakenly believed to be harmless, but this is not the case. The incorrect disposal of medication through plumbing systems can have the following effects:

toxicity for marine life if the medication reaches a watercourse ecosystem
microplastic pollution from medication packages
plumbing blockages due to the solidification and chemical reactions of the medication with other substances. This is especially problematic with expired medication

In addition to these measures, ‘fast and waste’ plumbing arrangements can be installed, where water from a tap or sink is discharged directly into a drain to ensure rapid removal. This minimizes the risk of contamination, waterlogging and backflow when connected to a foul sewer system.

Reasonable dog owners

If not responsible, dogs can cause damage to ecosystems that owners often overlook. This includes:

nutrient pollution through dog waste
flea-treatment pollution
physical damage and disturbance to ecosystems

To combat these issues, the following measures should be followed:

pick up dog waste and dispose of it correctly
flea-treatment measures
encouraging and following designated areas for dogs to swim to prevent disturbance of sensitive species
ensure that dogs are kept away from banks to protect against erosion
dogs should be kept away from ponds as non-flowing water bodies are much more susceptible

Recreation

Guidance for hikers and campers:

avoid disturbing areas that you know are nesting areas, spawning areas or habitats for protected species. When uncertain, look out for signs or warnings that a site may be one of these
dispose of waste properly and ensure that all equipment is collected
follow any local guidance advice and best practice
report major issues to the local council
do not feed wildlife

Guidance for other recreational activities:

keep a safe distance from wildlife to avoid disturbing animals or nesting and spawning areas
launch boats and kayaks carefully and from designated access points to avoid disturbing banks and sediment
use catch-and-release responsibly when fishing
do not leave any equipment
spread guidance awareness

River-water

Supporting river groups and opportunities for learning

One of the best ways to care for your local watercourses is to support river groups in your local area. These groups aim to protect their water environments from harm and conserve their natural beauty and ecosystem services. You can find river groups to support in your local rea on here

The following is a list of river groups which act within the Forest of Dean:

Additionally, while specifically not a river group, the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust helps in the protection and conservation of local habitats and wildlife, including our rivers.

Citizen science is when public volunteers help researchers and scientists working on projects, and is a brilliant way to help support your local watercourses. They are also a great way for the public to learn and are easily accessible, since anybody can play the following roles:

data collection
information classification
local environmental and health investigations

Big citizen science opportunities in the UK include:

Opportunities within the Forest of Dean include:

Water-specific opportunities within the Forest of Dean:

Information/data are often submitted by participants to the Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records (GCER) or INaturalist.

To find further opportunities, Forest Voluntary Action Forums (FVAF) can be used.