We’ve produced a number of reports to provide data-driven evidence about the condition of the river Kent – please give them a read below. Many thanks to our fantastic volunteers for helping to collect data to support this work.
Clean River Kent Campaign report on river Kent water sampling, December 2022 (and accompanying press release)
This paper summarises the results of the CRKC water quality monitoring study at six locations along the river Kent, Cumbria, from Staveley to Sedgwick. The water samples were taken between February and September 2022, and were analysed for the faecal bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus spp in a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
The results show that at all six locations the quality of the river water was assessed as Poor (the worst category) due to high levels of faecal bacteria (both E. coli and Enterococcus spp). Water quality was worst at Beckmickle Ing, the location immediately downstream of Staveley Wastewater Treatment Works.
Clean River Kent Campaign application for Bathing Status 2022
This application to DEFRA was for bathing status for a stretch of river in Staveley. It includes letters of support from landowners and stakeholders, survey results, user counts and photographic evidence.
Reports from other organisations
Read the 2022 Water Quality Report from Surfers Against Sewage.
There are also several reports from 2021 and 2022 on the Staveley-with-Ings Parish Council website.