Citizen Science in the Wye

Citizen science is the involvement of volunteers from the public in scientific research activities. People from various backgrounds and different levels of expertise collect and analyse data, conduct experiments, or contribute to scientific investigations.

There are now over 400 active citizen scientists testing along the river. Volunteers help within the catchment by collecting and classifying water quality data. This extensive monitoring is hugely beneficial and has identified pollution hotspots.


The value of Citizen Science Data

A large amount of data and information is now being collected and reported by the Citizen Science groups. All the information is being recorded and downloaded onto the EPICOLLECT tool where the data is stored. The Environment Agency (EA) require access to the raw data to enable integration with existing datasets for the catchment.

High phosphate can be one indicator of pollution but there is value in collecting data over a longer period through EPICOLLECT. When data is collected from multiple sources across the catchment, over a longer period it can:

  • Show how variables change over time and across multiple locations.

  • Increase the robustness.

  • Evidence any trends that might require further investigation.

  • Be used to make future predictions.

One of the key benefits of citizen science data is that it’s consistent, due to having many sample points across the catchment covering a large area and their sampling is carried out at a high frequency, typically every week.

The longer the groups continue to collect this data the easier it is to use it for analysis. Historical data can be used to identify patterns and predict future trends.

Citizen science and EA data has shown that there are several parts of the Wye catchment and its tributaries (notably in the Lugg catchment) which are ‘hotspots’ for phosphate pollution.

The figure below shows a heatmap of the phosphate hotspots in the Wye catchment.


Figure: Heat map of phosphate readings from citizen science data, using a Hanna P meter


The Wye Alliance

Various Citizen Science groups within the Wye catchment have formed the Wye Alliance. The Wye Alliance is a collection of groups that follow aligned methodologies when collecting data within the catchment. This collaborative approach helps them combine data, expertise and decision making. Data collected is uploaded to the EPICOLLECT database as one data set, rather than individual data sets. A consistent approach for all Citizen Science groups across the catchment improves accuracy and helps the EA gain a better understanding of the environmental complexities of the catchment.

Data helps to create a clearer picture about what's happening across the catchment over time and helps us to understand more about the complex interactions between:

  • Geography and Hydrology: The catchment covers a varied landscape, including upland areas, lowland plains, and urban regions. This diverse geography creates variations in land use, soil types, and water flow patterns; the river's flow is influenced by tributaries, groundwater, and precipitation patterns, making it susceptible to changes in weather conditions and climate variability.
  • Ecological Diversity: The catchment is known for its rich biodiversity, including diverse aquatic ecosystems and riparian habitats. The complexity arises from the need to balance human activities with the preservation of these ecosystems and species.
  • Land Use, Agriculture & Water Quality: A large part of the catchment is made up of agricultural land, and the interactions between farming practices, land management, and water quality can be complex. Issues such as soil runoff and overuse of nutrients may impact the health of the river, among other things. Source apportionment modelled analysis suggests sewage treatment works account for 21% – 23% of the phosphate in the River Wye.

Citizen Scientists have also created their own dashboard using the data they have collected which is publicly accessible via the Wye Viz platform(External link).

You can find out more about the Citizen Science Groups at Citizen Science Groups | The Wye and Usk Foundation (wyeuskfoundation.org)(External link)

To find out about what Citizen Science is doing in the West Midlands, including the Wye catchment, you can read our blog: Citizen Science in the West Midlands(External link)



Citizen Scientist - Reporting Incidents in the Wye

The incidents the EA can respond to is dependent on the amount of government funding received. The EA cannot respond to every incident reported. We can only respond to incidents that are assessed as significant or serious risk of environmental harm categorised by the Common Incident Classification Scheme (CICS).


Read the blog: How the Environment Agency responds to pollution incidents(External link)


High phosphate readings alone do not indicate a significant or serious risk. We do not have the funding and therefore resources available to respond to high phosphate readings alone.

If high phosphate readings are recorded check for other signs of pollution, such as:

  • Dead fish

  • Effluent

  • Sewage fungus

  • Wildlife in distress

  • Discolouration of water



Image: Sewage fungus (not in the Wye)


Take photos of all signs of pollution. You can then attach and email them to ics@environment-agency.gov.uk(External link) when reporting an incident.

To report an incident in England you need to call 0800 807 060 for Wales follow the Natural Recourses Wales guidance.

If your report contains evidence indicating a signification pollution incident the report will be passed to an Environment Officer. Our Environment Officers are experts and will complete an assessment to determine the actions required.

All Citizen Science data can be reported, received, and stored through EPICOLLECT. The EA uses this data to generate heat maps and target investigations.

Different rivers can have different phosphorus targets set because natural concentrations in the environment vary between waterbodies, and different ecosystems are able to cope with different amounts of phosphorus.

Phosphorus targets for English and Welsh SAC rivers within the Wye catchment are set out in these documents: (External link)
(External link)
Compliance Assessment of Welsh River SACs against Phosphorus Targets - NRW (2021)(External link) (External link)
(External link)
River Wye SAC nutrient management plan (for England) – Environment Agency & Natural England(External link)

More information on reporting incidents can be found at: Report an environmental incident - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(External link)


Citizen science is the involvement of volunteers from the public in scientific research activities. People from various backgrounds and different levels of expertise collect and analyse data, conduct experiments, or contribute to scientific investigations.

There are now over 400 active citizen scientists testing along the river. Volunteers help within the catchment by collecting and classifying water quality data. This extensive monitoring is hugely beneficial and has identified pollution hotspots.


The value of Citizen Science Data

A large amount of data and information is now being collected and reported by the Citizen Science groups. All the information is being recorded and downloaded onto the EPICOLLECT tool where the data is stored. The Environment Agency (EA) require access to the raw data to enable integration with existing datasets for the catchment.

High phosphate can be one indicator of pollution but there is value in collecting data over a longer period through EPICOLLECT. When data is collected from multiple sources across the catchment, over a longer period it can:

  • Show how variables change over time and across multiple locations.

  • Increase the robustness.

  • Evidence any trends that might require further investigation.

  • Be used to make future predictions.

One of the key benefits of citizen science data is that it’s consistent, due to having many sample points across the catchment covering a large area and their sampling is carried out at a high frequency, typically every week.

The longer the groups continue to collect this data the easier it is to use it for analysis. Historical data can be used to identify patterns and predict future trends.

Citizen science and EA data has shown that there are several parts of the Wye catchment and its tributaries (notably in the Lugg catchment) which are ‘hotspots’ for phosphate pollution.

The figure below shows a heatmap of the phosphate hotspots in the Wye catchment.


Figure: Heat map of phosphate readings from citizen science data, using a Hanna P meter


The Wye Alliance

Various Citizen Science groups within the Wye catchment have formed the Wye Alliance. The Wye Alliance is a collection of groups that follow aligned methodologies when collecting data within the catchment. This collaborative approach helps them combine data, expertise and decision making. Data collected is uploaded to the EPICOLLECT database as one data set, rather than individual data sets. A consistent approach for all Citizen Science groups across the catchment improves accuracy and helps the EA gain a better understanding of the environmental complexities of the catchment.

Data helps to create a clearer picture about what's happening across the catchment over time and helps us to understand more about the complex interactions between:

  • Geography and Hydrology: The catchment covers a varied landscape, including upland areas, lowland plains, and urban regions. This diverse geography creates variations in land use, soil types, and water flow patterns; the river's flow is influenced by tributaries, groundwater, and precipitation patterns, making it susceptible to changes in weather conditions and climate variability.
  • Ecological Diversity: The catchment is known for its rich biodiversity, including diverse aquatic ecosystems and riparian habitats. The complexity arises from the need to balance human activities with the preservation of these ecosystems and species.
  • Land Use, Agriculture & Water Quality: A large part of the catchment is made up of agricultural land, and the interactions between farming practices, land management, and water quality can be complex. Issues such as soil runoff and overuse of nutrients may impact the health of the river, among other things. Source apportionment modelled analysis suggests sewage treatment works account for 21% – 23% of the phosphate in the River Wye.

Citizen Scientists have also created their own dashboard using the data they have collected which is publicly accessible via the Wye Viz platform(External link).

You can find out more about the Citizen Science Groups at Citizen Science Groups | The Wye and Usk Foundation (wyeuskfoundation.org)(External link)

To find out about what Citizen Science is doing in the West Midlands, including the Wye catchment, you can read our blog: Citizen Science in the West Midlands(External link)



Citizen Scientist - Reporting Incidents in the Wye

The incidents the EA can respond to is dependent on the amount of government funding received. The EA cannot respond to every incident reported. We can only respond to incidents that are assessed as significant or serious risk of environmental harm categorised by the Common Incident Classification Scheme (CICS).


Read the blog: How the Environment Agency responds to pollution incidents(External link)


High phosphate readings alone do not indicate a significant or serious risk. We do not have the funding and therefore resources available to respond to high phosphate readings alone.

If high phosphate readings are recorded check for other signs of pollution, such as:

  • Dead fish

  • Effluent

  • Sewage fungus

  • Wildlife in distress

  • Discolouration of water



Image: Sewage fungus (not in the Wye)


Take photos of all signs of pollution. You can then attach and email them to ics@environment-agency.gov.uk(External link) when reporting an incident.

To report an incident in England you need to call 0800 807 060 for Wales follow the Natural Recourses Wales guidance.

If your report contains evidence indicating a signification pollution incident the report will be passed to an Environment Officer. Our Environment Officers are experts and will complete an assessment to determine the actions required.

All Citizen Science data can be reported, received, and stored through EPICOLLECT. The EA uses this data to generate heat maps and target investigations.

Different rivers can have different phosphorus targets set because natural concentrations in the environment vary between waterbodies, and different ecosystems are able to cope with different amounts of phosphorus.

Phosphorus targets for English and Welsh SAC rivers within the Wye catchment are set out in these documents: (External link)
(External link)
Compliance Assessment of Welsh River SACs against Phosphorus Targets - NRW (2021)(External link) (External link)
(External link)
River Wye SAC nutrient management plan (for England) – Environment Agency & Natural England(External link)

More information on reporting incidents can be found at: Report an environmental incident - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(External link)


Page last updated: 24 Jul 2024, 02:32 PM