Blackmore Vale Rotary joins the Great UK WaterBlitz

Blackmore Vale Rotary will be taking part in its third Great UK WaterBlitz, organised by Earthwatch Europe, between Friday 18 and Monday 21 September 2026.

Members will spend just 20 minutes outdoors at a local freshwater site, using a simple FreshWater Watch testing kit to take a sample and measure nitrate and phosphate levels, while also recording observations about the surrounding environment. The results are then uploaded to Earthwatch’s national database, contributing to a much larger picture of the health of our rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, canals and wetlands.

Why does the WaterBlitz matter?

The Great UK WaterBlitz is a nationwide citizen science project. Thousands of people across the UK take water samples at approximately the same time, creating a valuable snapshot of freshwater quality across the country.

This matters because pollution is not always visible. A river or stream can look perfectly clean while containing excessive levels of nutrients. High concentrations of nitrates and phosphates can be associated with sources such as agricultural run-off and sewage, and can damage freshwater ecosystems by encouraging excessive plant and algae growth.

The data collected by volunteers provides scientists with evidence that can help identify pollution hotspots, track changes over time and build a stronger understanding of the condition of the UK's freshwater. The results are also publicly available through the WaterBlitz results map.

The scale of the issue was highlighted by Earthwatch's Spring 2026 WaterBlitz. More than 2,300 locations were tested across the UK, with more than half of the waterways showing signs of poor water quality. In Somerset, 66% of the 50 data points analysed showed unacceptable levels of nutrient pollution, compared with 61% across England.

Supporting one of Rotary's Areas of Focus

Taking part in the WaterBlitz is a natural fit with Rotary's Area of Focus: Protecting the Environment.

Rotary is committed to conserving and protecting natural resources and promoting ecological sustainability. Its environmental work specifically includes protecting and restoring freshwater resources, helping communities manage natural resources and supporting education that encourages behaviour which protects the environment.

There is also a particularly strong connection with Rotary's work around clean water. Rotary International recognises that environmental sustainability underpins many of its other areas of focus: if our rivers and watersheds are polluted, providing safe and clean water becomes much more difficult.

By participating in the Great UK WaterBlitz, Blackmore Vale Rotary is therefore doing more than simply testing a local stream. We are:

Taking practical action to protect our local environment

Helping scientists build a national picture of freshwater health

Raising awareness of pollution that cannot necessarily be seen

Supporting citizen science and environmental education

Contributing local data that can help identify and understand pollution

Encouraging our members and community to value and protect our freshwater resources

For Rotary, it is a great example of local action contributing to a national and international environmental initiative.

And it only takes 20 minutes.

Blackmore Vale Rotary is proud to be taking part for the third time — because every water sample counts. 💧🌿

The Great UK WaterBlitz takes place from 18–21 September 2026. Participants do not need previous experience; Earthwatch provides the testing kit and instructions.