NERC Freshwater Quality Champions: understanding changes in quality of UK freshwaters
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sch of Geography
Abstract
Deterioration in UK freshwater quality and associated effects on ecosystem services along with compounding effects of climate change and the cost-of-living crisis means research is urgently required to transform our understanding of the sources, pathways and processing of river water pollution and how mixtures of contaminants influence river ecosystems. The UK Freshwater Quality Programme champions will help build an interdisciplinary community of practice that includes researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, capable of delivering impactful frontier research on the major sources, pathways, transformations, and interactions of pollutants in freshwaters, and how these processes impact on freshwater ecosystems. The champions will achieve this by ensuring synthesis across the research projects that are funded within the programme and more widely and enhance stakeholder engagement to ensure the programme fulfils its aim and objectives. To achieve effective integration and coordination of the programme, develop interdisciplinary capability and stakeholder engagement, and maximise impact, we propose a range of activities to build on the research and knowledge exchange within the individually funded projects. These activities will enable and inform the development of better plans for adaptation, mitigation and detection of risks associated with declining river quality, now and in the future.
Organisations
| Description | As the champion team for the freshwater quality programme we have: 1. Developed a community of practice via our monthly webinar series - with an audience of 80-100 people at each webinar. Recordings can be found here https://water.leeds.ac.uk/fwq-programme/ 2. Supported integration between the five research projects 3. Developed a communication strategy 4. Support development of ECRs 5. Ensure appropriate evaluation, monitoring and risk mitigation 6. Proactively engage with the national community and policy makers |
| Exploitation Route | Outputs will be of use for the regulators of water quality across the UK, water industry, policy makers, NGOs, and the public |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Construction Energy Environment Healthcare Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Transport |
| URL | https://water.leeds.ac.uk/fwq-programme/ |
| Description | Findings are being used by the water industry, regulators and policy makers. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Environment,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan help to deliver changes that will lead to an improvement in the water quality of Lough Neagh which is suffering from eutrophication. |
| URL | https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/Lough%20Neagh%20Report%20and%20Ac... |
| Description | Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Water Quality Science Advisory Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Soil health inquiry |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | Not known yet |
| URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/42415/documents/210844/default/ |
| Description | Work with water minister on mainstreaming natural flood management |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Belfast Telegraph |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/new-research-to-look-at-how-quality-of-uk-rivers-can-be-i... |
| Description | Better Water Quality for Wales Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joe Holden (champion) and project leads from the Freshwater Quality Programme took part in the Better Water Quality for Wales Conference, 27- 29 June 2023, hosted by Environment Platform Wales. The conference brought together speakers from a variety of projects involving universities and the Welsh government all focused on different aspects of water quality. The event aimed to demonstrate projects which address water quality issues in Wales and share knowledge and existing research on the matter. The presentations explored current evidence gaps in water quality research and how these might be filled by the research community. The main themes addressed at this conference were: Eutrophication of Freshwaters Emerging Contaminants Inland Bathing Waters Wastewater Management |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Broughton Estate discussions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Discussion of project outputs and findings to influence nature based solutions work on the estate |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | CaSTCo Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Rivers Trust present on CaSTCo - Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative. This project is creating a radical step-change in the contribution of Citizen Science & Community Monitoring to evidence-based Integrated Catchment Management. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | ECOMIX Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A webinar to share updates on ECOMIX project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | European & Uk Oceans and Waters R&I Capabilities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Highlighted the NERC Freshwater Quality Programme to >50 participants (Researches and Businesses) from across Europe on a webinar regarding the EU's Mission to restore Oceans & Waters by 2030. There was much discussion about the interaction of freshwater and marine water in estuaries and the lack of science/understanding in these regions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Evening Standard |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/new-research-to-look-at-how-quality-of-uk-rivers-can-be-im... |
| Description | Evening Standard |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.standard.co.uk/news/environment/england-scotland-northern-ireland-wales-champions-b10428... |
| Description | FWQ Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | First FWQ newsletter was released on Oct 2023 to share updates on our activities with the subscribers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://mailchi.mp/9830c27f230c/autumn-news-uk-freshwater-quality-programme?e=b03147a934 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: Biosecurity and Invasive Non-Native Species |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Alison Dunn from University of Leeds spoke about Biosecurity and Invasive Non-Native Species. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: Co-contaminant exposure in the aquatic environment following antibiotic manufacturing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Laura Carter from university University of Leeds spoke about Co-contaminant exposure in the aquatic environment following antibiotic manufacturing at a FWQ webinar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: ECOMIX project update |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar on ECOMIX project update - Dr Martha Villamizar Velez (University of York) & Amy Ockenden (University of Sheffield). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: MOT4Rivers - project update |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar on an update on the MOT4Rivers Project from Prof Andrew Tyler and Dr Alison Brown, University of Stirling and Dr Stephen Thackeray, UKCEH. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: QUANTUM project update |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Penny Johnes (University of Bristol), Dr Ana Castra-Castellon (University of Bristol), Dr Tolulope Lawrence (University of Bristol) presented updates on the QUANTUM project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: UKWIR's Chemical Investigation Programme (CIP) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Matt Hill from YW talked about Chemical Investigation Programme - Yorkshire Water. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | FWQ Webinar: Water Systems Intergrated Modelling Framework (WSIMOD) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar on Water Systems Intergrated Modelling Framework (WSIMOD) - Dr Barnaby Dobson (Imperial College London) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Feature on Big Issue |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 17 April 2023 , Prof Pippa Chapman, Champion for the NERC Freshwater Quality Programme has contributed to a feature on water quality in the Big Issue |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bigissuenorth.com/features/2023/04/top-of-the-poops/#close |
| Description | Freshwater Quality Programme Kick Off Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | First event to promote the NERC Freshwater Quality Programme to a range of stakeholders (e.g. water companies, regulatory bodies, local government, charities) in order to build a community of practice. Each of the five funded research projects gave an overview of their plans. The webinar sparked questions and interest from the audience who were keen to hear about progress of the programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/@yorkshireicasp9939 |
| Description | Freshwater Quality webpage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Set up a webpage to promote the outputs of the Research Programme |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://water.leeds.ac.uk/fwq-program/ |
| Description | Independent |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/england-rebecca-pow-scotland-northern-ireland-wale... |
| Description | Interview : New Scientist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 2 April 2023 The New Scientist interviewed Professor Joseph Holden on the work of the NERC Freshwater Quality Programme titled as "How the UK's rivers are being overlooked and why we need to fix them" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://water.leeds.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2023/04/New-Scientist.pdf |
| Description | LTLS-FE update Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Vicky Bell,Dr Stephen Lofts and Dr Ian Vaughan presented the updates of LTLS-FE project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Linked In Platform |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | iCASP Linked In channel that promotes FWQ updates. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7140254166018330624 |
| Description | MOT4Rivers Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof Andrew Tyler from University of Stirling presented about MOT4Rivers project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Magdalena Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Professor Magdalena Bieroza from Swedish Agricultural University, gave a talk on High resolution water quality sampling, water quality research gaps and solutions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Meeting with Calderdale Council officer |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss environmental issues faced by Calderdale council |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Meeting with Environmental Standards Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Explained the aims of the Freshwater Quality Programme to the Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS), which is a public body set up to ensure the effectiveness of environmental law, and prevent enforcement gaps arising from the UK leaving the European Union. They independently monitor and investigate the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland, and public authorities' compliance with it. They are undertaking some scoping work to support scrutiny of River Basin Management Plans and Water Quality in Scotland and wanted to engage with most recent research and knowledge in this area. Have engaged with webinars and offered to give a webinar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Meeting with UKWIR |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Discussion with UKWIR to ensure programme connections with UKWIR work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Meeting with the Shetland Windfarm Environmental Advisory Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two meetings - at which water quality and upland management activities were discussed and programme outputs mentioned |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | National CYMRU - Wales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://nation.cymru/news/major-research-project-launched-to-look-at-how-water-quality-of-rivers-can... |
| Description | PACIFIC Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr. Daniel Read from Centre for Ecology & Hydrology spoke about PACIFIC project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Policy Webiner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A webiner to introduce UK Freshwater Quality Research Programme policies and objectives to a wider audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Presentation to Environment Agency Chemical Programme Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to government agencies about the Freshwater Quality Programme |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Presentation to Teifi catchment demonstrator workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on freshwater quality programme to Teifi catchment demonstrator workshop. Follow up for more information and engagement with the Freshwater Quality Programme. Awareness raising to ensure efficiency of activity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Press release_Scotland Today |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News coverage of Announcement of funding for 5 UK Freshwater projects |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.thenational.scot/news/national/23151315.new-research-look-quality-uk-rivers-can-improved... |
| Description | Programme Advisory Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with advisory board from policy and practice community |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | QUANTUM Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Penny Johnes from University of Bristol spoke about the QUANTUM project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Soil Nutrient Health Scheme Webiner |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Rachel Cassidy from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Northern Ireland presented on their Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Twitter Account |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Set up a Twitter account for the Freshwater Quality Programme - Between 28 Nov 2022 - 13 March 2023 we have had 37.3K impressions, 434 likes, 187 retweets, 223 Followers. Account promotes events and outputs of programme and retweets tweets from the funded projects - Posted 262 tweets to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/FreshwaterQual1 |
| Description | UK?Freshwater Programme?introductory F2F meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | First in-person meet for the projects team within the programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Water 2100 workshop hosted by CEO of Environment Agency |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement to discuss priorities and opportunities for water collaboration and action - iCASP was highlighted as a model of working that could be emulated. The Freshwater Quality Research Programme was highlighted as a key example of important opportunity to build momentum and further funding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Water4All panel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Feed into European decision making on funding awards to ensure complementarity to Freshwater Quality Programme |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | iCASP Bulletin |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | NERC's co-appointment of Professor Pippa Chapman and Professor Joseph Holden as Freshwater Quality Champions was covered by iCASP Bulletin |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://icasp.org.uk/2022/09/07/nerc-co-appoint-professor-pippa-chapman-and-professor-joseph-holden-... |
| Description | wateratleeds: Youtube Channel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This is the Youtube channel where FWQ Webinar videos are hosted |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgqPUmsIJFIB8N3JAob9VrulewSRxrC6o |