Pangbourne water quality testing

Mend the Gap is helping to fund a citizen science project led by Thames 21. The Pangbourne Bathing Water Project is engaging local volunteers to carry out weekly sampling of six sampling locations along the river Thames near Pangbourne, during the bathing water season, mirroring the Environment Agency’s methodology, used when considering designated bathing water sites.

The data will be analysed weekly, as well as at the end of the bathing water season, 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 at Pangbourne Meadows for local volunteers has already been carried out to show volunteers how to safely carry out river water quality testing. The hope is that the results from this testing will, long-term, help support a bathing water status application for Pangbourne Meadows. In the meantime, this citizen science project will enable local residents to better understand their river and the challenges it faces.