Environment Agency supported projects
Rainfall Observers Network
The Daily Rainfall Observer’s Network is an integral and longsta
Observer reading the rain measure at eye level. Image copyright Met officending part of the Environment Agency’s (EA) overall rain gauge network that is delivered in conjunction with the Met Office (MO).
It is the most cost-effective element of the network, delivering an evidence base which the EA, the MO, water companies and others use to support a broad range of assessments, including managing and maintaining water resources.
The use of a voluntary network of observers allows rainfall data to be collected across many catchments, including remote areas. The data is collated by the EA before being ingested into the Met Office climate database where it undergoes quality control (QC) alongside data from automatic rain gauges (tipping bucket and weighing) and observations from other manual gauges. Once the QC process is complete all the data is stored by the Met Office as part of the long-term climate record for the UK. Rainfall data from EA automatic gauges are available via the Hydrology Data Explorer.
We are currently working together on a project to modernise the way the observers submit their daily rainfall data.
The Riverfly Partnership
The Environment Agency has a long-standing relationship with the Riverfly Partnership. Find out more about how the relationship works, and hear from Riverfly volunteers, in the video below.
Find out more about how you can get involved with the Riverfly Partnership here
Water Watch - Hello Lamp Post
The Environment Agency have joined forces with Hello Lamp Post as part of the Supporting Citizen Science project to pilot this novel approach for collecting and sharing data and information.
Hello Lamp Post invites local residents and visitors at selected sites across the country to chat to their local beach, river or lake using the Hello Lamp Post artificial intelligence platform. We hope this will be more than a one-way conversation, with residents and visitors contributing to citizen science by sharing their own observations from these sites.
The first phase of our pilot (WaterWatch) saw signage put in place from late September 2024 until July 2025. This means that data was captured both in and out of the bathing water season. You can find out the results of this pilot in our latest blog.
Phase two of the pilot (Blueprint) began in August 2025. This pilot will include the continuation of signage at Lake Windermere, River Ribble, River Nidd and Par Sands. New signage on the River Dart and River Teme, and the development of a national conversation.
The information from these conversations will help us to understand who visits these sites and how this varies over time. It will also provide us with information on water quality observations and any signs of pollution.
You can get involved from wherever you are!
Start the conversation with Hello Lamp Post: Chat with Hello Lamp Post 
If you live near any of the following locations, look out for our Hello Lamp Post signs. We would love to hear from you!
Windemere, Cumbria- Rayrigg and Miller Ground
Ribble River, Lancashire- Edisford Bridge
Nidd River, Yorkshire- Harrogate
Par Beach, Cornwall
Combe Martin, Devon
Zoom out on the map to see the Hello Lamp Post signage locations
Read our gov.uk blogs and press releases about the project
AI signs for citizen science to be used at South West beaches - GOV.UK
Say 'hello' to Citizen Science in the North - GOV.UK
Plasticblitz
Plasticblitz highlights the scale of plastic pollution in UK rivers
A record number of 12 Environment Agency teams took part in this year’s Plasticblitz event. Now in its fifth year, the Plasticblitz engages community groups and Environment Agency teams to collect data on plastic pollution in and around rivers to raise awareness of the problem.
The simultaneous clean-up and data collection event took place between 31st May and 15th June 2025 and for the first time the initiative extended to Scotland. 504 citizen scientists took part clearing over 65km of river of litter. Over 17,000 items were categorised with 71% recorded as plastic waste. The
Environment Agency's Hertfordshire and North London Plasticblitzers won the award for Categorisation Champions and were joint winners for the most bags collected.
17,386 pieces of litter were categorised by citizen scientists. The most numerous items found were cigarette stubs followed by plastic/polystyrene pieces and food packaging items.
By this year (2025), global plastic waste is expected to reach 460 million tonnes annually, with 91% remaining unrecycled, travelling across rivers, seas and the wider environment. Over the years, plastics break down into microplastics contaminating food and water resources for people and wildlife.
We’re excited to announce that Plasticblitz will be back next year—an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in tackling plastic pollution. Whether through your workplace or your local community, we encourage everyone to get involved and be part of the solution.