Anglers’ Citizen Science Reveals Widespread River Pollution in England and Wales

Citizen-led river testing by anglers across England and Wales has revealed that over a third of freshwater sites exceed phosphate levels deemed safe for maintaining good ecological status.

The data, collected by volunteer members of angling groups, is being used to advocate for improved river management. However, the scale of pollution is daunting, according to the Angling Trust and Fish Legal.

“Our freshwater habitats are in crisis – a fact now widely recognised by the public, politicians and regulators,” the chief executive, Jamie Cook, said. “Many anglers already knew this, having witnessed the decline in water quality at our favourite fishing spots.

“This report sheds further light on the dire state of our rivers and shows how anglers are using data to deepen our understanding of water pollution – and to influence the future of river management when recognised as legitimate stakeholders in decision-making processes.”

The findings are based on nearly 4,000 water samples collected between July 2023 and July 2024. Volunteers tested for pollutants such as nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, and measured parameters including electrical conductivity, temperature, and turbidity. The study covered 76 river catchments and included visual assessments and photographic evidence.

Currently, just 16% of rivers in England are classified as having good ecological status, with phosphate levels capped at 0.306ppm. Yet, the new data shows that almost 34% of samples exceeded this threshold.

While there is no legal upper limit for nitrates, Angling Trust volunteers were guided to consider concentrations of 5ppm or higher as harmful to freshwater ecosystems. This level was surpassed in 45% of the samples taken.

Pollution levels vary significantly by region. In the Medway catchment—spanning parts of Kent, Surrey, and East Sussex—all monitored sites (each with at least eight samples) failed to meet the ecological standard for phosphates under the UK’s Water Framework Directive. In Warwickshire’s Avon catchment, 86% of phosphate site averages also fell short.

In response, anglers are urging both the government and water companies to take stronger action on water quality.

Alex Farquhar, the campaigns and advocacy officer at the Angling Trust, said: “This report paints a picture of the continued ill health of our rivers and the systemic failure to make the rapid shifts in governance needed to bring them back to life. Listening to citizen science initiatives like this one is essential to this process.”

The report’s publication coincides with political decisions that critics say undermine river protections. Labour MPs recently rejected a proposed amendment to the planning and infrastructure bill that would have granted chalk streams special status as irreplaceable habitats. The bill aims to enable the construction of 1.5 million homes and accelerate infrastructure development, but conservationists fear it will worsen pressures on vulnerable waterways.

Anglers monitoring the iconic chalk streams of the Test and Itchen in Hampshire used citizen-gathered data to highlight Southern Water’s role in local pollution. Following protests over sewage discharges from the Fullerton wastewater treatment works, the company increased the site’s capacity, significantly reducing pollution incidents.

On the River Medway, members of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Angling Society sampled 15 sites and submitted 279 samples for independent analysis by Dr Eleanor Kean and Dr Liz Bagshaw of the University of Bristol. Every sample breached the phosphate limit for good ecological status.

As a result of angler pressure, the Environment Agency formed a joint monitoring group, which found that over 90% of the pollution stemmed from wastewater treatment discharges and combined sewer overflows—largely attributable to Southern Water.

In Warwickshire, more than 50 anglers participated in the testing programme. Their results showed that 86.4% of sites regularly monitored in 2023–24 had average phosphate levels exceeding acceptable ecological thresholds—far above the national average.

Andy Hammerton, a Water Quality Monitoring Network volunteer with the Girling Angling Society, said: “While our efforts to force the water companies and Environment Agency to improve may be perceived by some to be too little too late … my hope is that by applying the pressure now, my grandchildren will benefit from a clean and safe natural river environment where wildlife and fish will once again flourish.”

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