Who are we?

Windsor RiverWatch is a new local group concerned about the effect of pollution on the River Thames and Jubilee River – and the communities through which they flow. 

 

By regular water-testing we plan to better understand how human activities impact on the health and biodiversity of the Thames – to support our campaign for more sustainable policies and practices. View our water test points here. 

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So what inspired us to set up RiverWatch? 

In October 2023 we met with Li An and Maarten van der Schaaf who stayed in Windsor while walking the Thames Path from source to sea. Their passion for “Drinkable Rivers” sparked formation of our local group which has become Windsor RiverWatch.

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Our aim is to ‘rescue our river so it can thrive’. So what are we doing now?

We have become citizen scientists; meeting at the riverside to test the water for EColi, phosphates, ammonia, Ph and temperature. Supported by SAS and Thames 21. 

 

We are monitoring riverfly larvae present in the river and we are learning about the effects of this on the local bat population.  

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We are litter picking on and along the river, SUP boards, canoes, walking.

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We are linking with Thames 21 to collect Road Run Off samples for testing. 

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We are creating a chain of communication with Thames’ river users and businesses along the Thames. Upstream as far as Henley and downstream to Kingston!

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And, last but not least, we are trying to raise local awareness of the amazing resource our river is and the challenges it faces. Link to events page