RBWM Thames Waterblitz and Plasticblitz

If you're interested in participating in the Thames and Tributaries Waterblitz or Plasticblitz and are based in RBWM: you've come to the right place!

What is a Waterblitz? An international scheme to monitor water quality all along the various waterbodies, celebrating National Rivers Week. Find information here. The Thames Waterblitz has been running since 2019 and is looking to have it's strongest year yet this September. Read the full 2021 report here. We test nutrient levels (nitrates and phosphates) in the waterways, which are indicators of pollution. Freshwater naturally has low levels of nutrients; higher levels indicate fertiliser runoff from agriculture, sewage or waste pollution. By detecting levels across the Thames, we can help make our River Thames cleaner and healthier for us and the ecosystem.

What is a Plasticblitz? This is awesome initiative is run by Thames21: the aim being to host big litterpicks along our Thames and its waterways. Plastic waste in our rivers threatens wildlife by entanglement and ingestion. Large pieces of plastic will then break down into smaller pieces which are difficult to remove from the environment. Find out more here. We'll also be taking part. As well as collecting all litter along the stretch, our results will be submitted to Thames21, who will analyse the metadata from across the River Thames, to indicate what main types of waste we find, and promote better plastics regulations. The fantastic Keep Cookham Tidy and Eton Wick Waterways are also taking part in the Blitzes within the Borough. Watch this space for other local events popping up around the Borough.

What is The Royal Borough doing? We are going to be joining the mission this year and hosting a Waterblitz and Plasticblitz event - together. This will take place at along the Maidenhead Cut on the 17th September during 10-12pm. Starting at Braywick Nature Centre, we will walk along the river up to the town centre. You can drop in throughout the day and blitz for as long as you like. Activities will take place along the bank of the tributary. Participants can get involved in the Waterblitz (using devices to measure nitrate/phosphate levels) and the Plasticblitz (picking up litter). To support our community, the Borough are also providing the testing kits and some of the litter picking materials to our community groups.

If you're interested in getting involved in the Borough run event, sign up on the right side tab! More info will follow on the other community groups soon, and more events should be popping up - so save the dates. All equipment will be provided for these events - but best to bring your own gloves if you have some.

If you'd like to run your own Waterblitz or Plasticblitz somewhere in the Borough - we'd love to facilitate you! We can help provide equipment and support with event organisation. You can be part of a community group or just a small group of friends looking to help out your local environment. The events should ideally run between the week of 17-24th September - but there is some flexibility. Events should run at or near a waterway. If you'd like to have a chat about getting involved, please email Rosie at sustainability@rbwm.gov.uk.