Public Engagement and Monitoring on the Thames from Wallingford to Caversham

Mend the Gap is funding a public engagement and citizen science project from 2025-2027 led by Thames 21.

This work will encourage further understanding of the watercourses in this area, and work to protect and enhance the River Thames and its tributaries.  Thames21 is the river charity which offers leadership and guidance in monitoring this water sub-catchment.  Access to the river and understanding of its role within the landscape will be supported via different avenues of citizen science, providing free opportunities to engage with river health and further the community connection with their local rivers.

Events will include training in water quality testing, River Watch walks and other ways to record wildlife along the river in 2026 and 2027.   Thames21 will be working collaboratively with local groups including Goring Gap Environmental Organisation (GGEO), South Stoke Wildlife & Conservation Group, and Pangbourne & Whitchurch Sustainability Group.

2024 Bathing Water Project

The latest project follows on from the Pangbourne Bathing Water Project which engaged local volunteers in 2024 to carry out weekly sampling of six sampling locations along the river Thames between South Stoke and Pangbourne, during the bathing water season, mirroring the Environment Agency’s methodology, used when considering designated bathing water sites.

The data was collected and analysed weekly in partnership with the Goring Gap Environmental Organisation (GGEO), to assess each location and possible sources of pollution into the River Thames, in relation to two types of bacteria. The data collected will contribute to a greater understanding of the water quality locally and help to indicate the level of impact from the five sewage treatment works along this stretch between South Stoke and Pangbourne.

A training event was initially held at Pangbourne Meadows to show volunteers how to safely carry out river water quality testing, before sampling began. The results from this testing will help to inform a bathing water status application for Pangbourne Meadows in the longer term, while also enabling local residents to better understand their river and the challenges it faces.

Analysis from the 2024 samples at six points on the River Thames along the Goring Gap has shown “good” results overall at Pangbourne Meadows, with some variation.

Read the 2024 report here:

Pangbourne and Goring Water Quality Report 2024

Further testing took place in 2025 with Thames21 and GGEO.

Thames21 is part of the South Chilterns Catchment Partnership, along with the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and Action for River Kennet (ARK).  These organisations and individuals work together for a healthy, thriving water environment for people and wildlife.