Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife

This campaign is encouraging members to make and support applications to create bathing waters in rivers across England and Wales as a way to drive the cleanup of our precious waters.

Water quality in our rivers is shameful. Legally designated bathing waters must be regularly monitored for pollution. The NFWI urges its members, the wider public, local authorities, and the Government to make, support and promote applications for officially designated bathing sites on appropriate stretches of rivers in their area. This will be instrumental to the clean-up of rivers as it has been for water quality improvement at coastal beaches.

Herefordshire Federation

Read more in our blog here.

Background

How you can get involved

1. Support the WI Week of River Action in September

Between 16 and 22 September, we are again marking the WI Week of River Action.

Last year in September, as part of the Clean Rivers campaign, members arranged stunts, river cleans, protests and yarn bombing to raise awareness of the state of our rivers in their communities. We also spoke to MPs and gathered members dressed as aquatic creatures for a mini-protest outside the Houses of Parliament.

This year we are repeating the success and WI members from across England, Wales and the Island are coming together to amplify the message that too little is happening too slowly to clean up our rivers.

2. Find out more information about how to apply for inland bathing water by using the Surfers Against Sewage’s ‘Wild Water’ website.

The website contains a useful nine-step guide that provides guidance about applying for a designated bathing water. You can also access the Surfers Against Sewage community bathing waters toolkit here.

3. Find out about sewage pollution in rivers in your area

You can find out about the location of combined sewage outflows (CSOs) in your area by looking at the Rivers Trust Sewage Map.

If you are a WI Member or Supporter, we have more ways to get involved and lots of resources on My WI. Find out more here.

Further resources

Become a supporter!

Are you passionate about our campaigns and would like to become part of the largest women’s organisation in the UK?

There are ways of joining and supporting the WI that are suitable for everyone. You can find out more here.