WATER QUALITY
Monitoring and improving the health of our rivers for people and wildlife
PROJECT LEAD: Essex & Suffolk Rivers Trust
CONTACT: deben@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org
PROJECT PARTNERS: Water Quality Monitoring Sub-group
FUNDING: Water Restoration Fund
OVERVIEW
There are a wide range of specialist reports and data sources on the state of the River Deben and its catchment ranging from those concerned with the tidal estuary and its ecosystem through detailed wildlife studies on specific habitats to those which concentrate on the physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics of the river system.
WHY IT MATTERS
By consolidating these diverse sources of information, the workstream provides a robust and detailed context for understanding the health of the River Deben. This evidence base is essential for identifying effective actions within the wider project, beginning with a comprehensive study to define the overall “State of the River Deben.”
DELIVERY
The sub-group brings together community groups, NGOs, local authorities, and government agencies to pool expertise and establish a common framework for analysis. Through the development of shared metrics, the group will be able to track improvements in the river’s quality and ensure that progress is measurable and meaningful.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING SUB-GROUP
The Water Quality Monitoring Sub Group includes Anglian Water, Deben Climate Centre, Deben Estuary Partnership, Debenham Green Team, East Suffolk District Council, Environment Agency, National Trust, Natural England, River Deben Association, Save the Deben and Suffolk FWAG. By pooling expertise, creating a common framework for analysis and identifying a set of core metrics, this will enable any improvements in the “quality” of the River Deben to be evaluated.
NEWS & UPDATES
SUTTON HOO ATTENUATION POND: Included within this workstream under the WRF is the delivery of a feasibility study into the construction of an attenuation pond on the National Trust lands at Sutton Hoo. The proposed plan includes de-culverting the existing crag stream channel and creating a nutrient attenuation wetland to help remove any excess nutrients entering the Deben Estuary SSSI. This wetland aims to enhance the biodiversity of the site and help improve water quality by reducing nutrient runoff from surrounding surface water runoff.
