Thames21 Public Engagement and Inclusive Monitoring on the Thames from Wallingford to Caversham

Mend the Gap has funded Thames 21 to enhance knowledge, recreation, and enjoyment in the National Landscapes, focusing on the River Thames between Wallingford and Caversham, and its wetland and marginal habitats.

Rivers can be beautiful, natural places for people to enjoy, yet in England most of our rivers are significantly polluted – only 15% of rivers meet good ecological standards, and none are in good chemical or overall health.  This project seeks to protect and improve the River Thames and its tributaries while promoting citizen science and broadening the opportunities for inclusive participation.

Thames 21’s objectives for 2026-2027:

• Promotion of national citizen science initiatives, such as the Big River Watch
• Facilitating inclusive monitoring opportunities (e.g. riverside webcams, easily-accessible guided walks)
• Co-ordinating river quality citizen science within the Mend the Gap programme area, linking to long-term baselining data, identification of pollution sources, encouraging local participation
• Hosting a Spring event focussed on the Wallingford-Caversham stretch of the Thames, gathering local stakeholders with inspiring speakers, and collaborative project mapping
• Developing a community-supported action plan to sustain efforts beyond Mend the Gap funding.

Look out for upcoming Thames activities.

Bathing Water Project 2024-2025:

The latest initiative builds on the 2024 Pangbourne Bathing Water Project which engaged volunteers to sample six Thames locations weekly during the bathing season, following Environment Agency protocols. Data analysis, in partnership with Goring Gap Environmental Organisation (GGEO), assessed water quality and pollution sources, particularly from five sewage treatment works between South Stoke and Pangbourne.

Training at Pangbourne Meadows equipped volunteers for safe sampling in relation to two types of bacteria. Results will inform a future bathing water designation for Pangbourne Meadows and improve local understanding of river health.  2024 analysis showed generally “good” results at Pangbourne Meadows, with some variation.

Read the 2024 report here:   Pangbourne and Goring Water Quality Report 2024

Further testing continued in 2025 with Thames21 and GGEO.

Thames21 collaborates through the South Chilterns Catchment Partnership alongside the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and Action for River Kennet (ARK) to promote a thriving water environment for people and wildlife.