ARK’s water quality monitoring led by Professor Michael Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at UCL has identified three clear pollution events in just seven sampling occasions on the River Lambourn.

Testing shows E.coli concentrations at 10 times the Bathing Water Standards, highlighting significant water quality issues. The sewerage system, overwhelmed by rainfall and groundwater, frequently spills directly into the river through stormwater drains, posing both public health risks and potential ecological damage.

The Lambourn is an internationally rare chalk stream, it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
 
See our full report for further details .

An article on the BBC this week suggested that we might solve the problem of American Signal Crayfish by eating them. We don't agree. Read our position statement here.

Catching rain to make a greener, cleaner more beautiful village. Action for the River Kennet have been working with the community in Great Bedwyn to find ways to manage rain better to reduce flooding and pollution. Read more here

We are recruiting for a new project officer. Full details on the ARK team page here. Closing date for applications 12 January 2024.

A new recycled plastic bench is now in situ at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve, Marlborough. To read the full press release click here.

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) is supporting the call to ban disposable vapes, having identified them as new and concerning threat to the River Kennet.

At the charity’s recent annual Big Litter Pick in Marlborough volunteers waded the Kennet from Stonebridge Lane to Figgins Lane bridge in the centre of town removing 424 items from the river.

To read our full press release click here

Visit our Vapes Polluting Our Rivers webpage

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) was awarded the Trentham Conservation & Environment Award by the Newbury and District Agricultural Society (read more)

Pollution from untreated sewage in the River Kennet kept school children out of the water for their safety yesterday.  Read the full press release here. [Read more]