Measuring the health and quality of Stansted’s waterways

This project will establish and undertake a ‘citizen science’ monitoring program of the river Stort, a designated chalk stream, and Stansted Brook, a tributary of the Stort, within Stansted Mountfitchet over an initial period of 12 months.

The overall aims of this project are to –

• monitor the health of the waterways in Stansted;
• build a significant body of data for each waterway;
• increase local awareness of the importance of streams and rivers;
• use the gathered data to identify opportunities for water improvements and river restoration.

Over the course of 12 months the project will –

• test levels of phosphate and nitrate on a monthly basis;
• collect observational data about the streams, documenting the condition of the water and river banks, and recording plant and animal species at testing sites;
• undertake riverfly monitoring;
• use trail cameras to capture the wildlife using the rivers.

Data will be gathered and communicated to the local community to raise awareness about the health of the waterways, while also informing people about the wildlife and habitats associated with the waterways. Data collecting will also be opened up to or used to attract new volunteers, as will associated activities that may be needed such as litter picking.

The data will also be used to raise awareness about water usage and water pollution within the local community and will also be sent to the relevant and accountable organisations/ companies such as Uttlesford District Council, the Environment Agency, Affinity Water and Thames Water to highlight water quality in an area where rivers and streams are under significant pressure from the effects of intensive agriculture and development.