August 2025
Word from the Chair
Whilst many will have taken some time out to enjoy the extended period of warm summer weather, I am sure that most of us are now anxiously waiting for some rain to provide much needed relief to our natural environment and our rivers in particular.
As referred to in this Newsletter, the nature-based solutions being implemented across the catchment by our partners will have helped to mitigate some of the impacts of the dry conditions. Hopefully, some of the newly announced funding will support more such initiatives.
Don’t forget the BA Catchment Partnership Fund.
Finally, a big thank-you to Ellie for pulling together this Newsletter - good luck with your apprenticeship.
Dr Richard Cresswell MBE
Chair, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership
Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership Fund
Please note that the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership Fund is open for applications until Monday 15th September 2025 at 23:59.
The Fund is to support projects that improve the water environment around the Bristol Avon catchment. It can fund work such as, walkover surveys, data collection, habitat improvements or community engagement and project development. Bids to the Fund have the most chance of being successful if they deliver on one or more of the BACP aims. These are:
• Enhance people’s enjoyment and connection with the water environment
• Improve water quality
• Restore biodiversity and ecological connectivity
• Adapt and build resilience to a changing climate
Further details on our four aims can be found in the BACP Catchment Plan.
The current funding criteria and guidance can be found on the BACP website; please go to the Catchment Partnership Fund and how to apply webpages for more information. Please read these documents thoroughly before submitting your application. We are especially keen to support applications that demonstrate engagement and support with underrepresented groups in the environmental sector.
If you have a project that you would like to discuss before submitting your application, or if you have any questions about the Fund, please contact info@bristolavoncatchment.co.uk and Jack Bishop (Catchment Coordinator) can arrange a time to talk with you.
Apprentice Blog:
This edition of the BACP newsletter is brought to you by Ellie, an apprentice with Wessex Water who is spending some time with the BACP to learn more about catchment partnerships, and the partner organisations in the region. Below is some background on Ellie and what she usually gets up to at work.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your apprenticeship:
I joined the Wessex Water Apprenticeship programme last year following completion of my A-levels, and have been working with the Catchment and operational teams within Wessex Water. This is a 5-year apprenticeship where I study for an Environmental Management BSc Degree at the University of the West of England.
What does a typical day at work look like?
My day-to-day work includes water sampling, managing the water quality data and visiting farms to consider what measures can be taken to protect water quality in surface water and ground water sites.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship in the environment sector?
I have always had a keen interest in the environment, and this was highlighted during my environmental science A level where I discovered the different places my interest in the environment could take me.
Catchment News
BACP is now on LinkedIn
We are pleased to share that the BACP now has a LinkedIn page! We will be using the page to share the latest partner and BACP updates. You can follow the page and find out more here: BACP LinkedIn
And please do invite others to follow us!
River Chew Macro-invertebrate monitoring
Since 2019, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) have been carrying out macro-invertebrate monitoring in five sites along the River Chew. This is to monitor pollution, river health and identify causes of environmental stress.
Key findings include:
- River Chew ranked the 5th most stressed UK river out of 61 monitored in 2023
- Top performing site: Shrowle- This was the most upstream monitoring point with high water quality and low pollution pressure
- Most stressed site: Downstream of Chew Valley Reservoir. This location has a multitude of pressures including nutrients, chemicals and siltation
- The most consistent pressure across all sites was siltation. This was usually downstream of agricultural land and infrastructure such as weirs and sluices.
Read more and find out about BART’s recommended next steps here Macro-Invertebrate monitoring reveals River Chew as 5th most stressed river
New Funding Award Will Bring More Nature into Bristol
Bristol’s 'Nature Together' project has been awarded £984,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help benefit nature and make it easier for people to enjoy the city’s urban green spaces. 'Nature together' is working with communities to develop plans for nature and improve access to green spaces.
The project will create opportunities for collaborative working, volunteering, and skills development: it will allow Bristol City Council to work closely with their partners and communities. Councillor Martin Fodor (Chair, Environment and Sustainability at Bristol City Council) said he hopes that this project will lead to a culture with proactive nature action.
The Nature Together project was developed in partnership with Your Park, Avon Wildlife Trust, The Natural History Consortium, the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership.
To find out more read here: New funding award will help bring more nature into Bristol
Events
Partners Somer Valley Walking Festival
Somer Valley Walking Festival will be held on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. The festival is organised by the Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership in collaboration with Somer Valley Ramblers.
This year the themes of the festival are discovery, connection and outdoor adventure, with the festival hoping to encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of being out in the fresh air, whilst making the most of the area’s heritage and wildlife.
The programme offers walks with various levels of difficulty and provides walks for all abilities. Most of the events are family friendly and free. Full programme and details available here: Somer Valley Walking Festival • Somer Valley Rediscovered
Around the Bend Tours
Wessex Water are hosting a selection of tours at their Water Recycling Centres in Bristol, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. These free tours show what happens after you flush your toilet. The tours are suitable for all ages with child friendly sessions held during evenings and weekends.
Further details and booking available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/around-the-bend-tours-275819
Wider News
The Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme
Two years ago, Natural England launched their Species Recovery Programme, which supports targeted action for England's most vulnerable species. The scheme has involved partnership working and funded a total of 63 projects. Some of the projects include tackling Invasive Non-Native Species, such as American Mink and creating or enhancing nesting islands for seabirds.
The Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme – a Natural England partnership success story – Natural England
Partners Programme plays part in biodiversity drive
Wessex Water has provided new partnership funding to support organisations with a drive to conserve biodiversity and aquatic animals across the region with a fund of £500,000 from the Wessex Water Foundation.
The Partners Programme provides five-year funding to projects. Previous projects in the Bristol Avon have boosted restoration efforts on the Biss and supported ditch restoration on the North Somerset levels.
Find out more and see the newly Funded Projects here: Partners Programme plays part in biodiversity drive | Wessex Water
Photo Credit: Wessex Water
Nitrogen: Time to Reduce, Recycle, Reuse
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has called for urgent regulatory clarity to improve the UK's management and reuse of nitrogen.
In a report published on 24 July, 2025, the Committee made several recommendations to the government. The report, titled "Nitrogen: Time to Reduce, Recycle, Reuse," follows an inquiry that focused on three key areas: simplifying regulations, promoting a circular approach to nitrogen, and creating a more strategic plan for nitrogen pollution.
The Committee's recommendations to the government include publishing a nitrogen strategy within two years, improving monitoring on nitrous emissions to air and water from wastewater treatment plants and promoting collaboration between agriculture and wastewater sectors to improve catchment and nature-based approaches.
House of Lords committee calls for a UK nitrogen management strategy
Rain after Drought
Following the prolonged dry weather spell, river levels across the Wessex region have dropped to very low levels. This year, we have experienced the second driest 5-month period since records began in 1871.
The Rivers Trust warns that when the rain comes after such a long dry period, it can cause flooding. A dry landscape, particularly one where vegetation is sparse will struggle to absorb water. This results in rapid surface water runoff into rivers and sewers.
The intense runoff can cause pollution in rivers, damaging wildlife as the water drags pollutants from the land such as fertilisers and litter.
To address this, nature-based solutions such as siltation ponds and wetlands can slow the flow of water into rivers. Vegetation can also help manage water quantity as trees can help the landscape to hold onto more rainwater and prevent water from reaching rivers rapidly.
The Rivers Trust have launched a campaign Making Space for Water in partnership with National Trust, Woodland Trust and Beaver Trust calling for more government funding for farmers and landowners to create and maintain nature-rich corridors including through the use of buffer strips.
Find out more: Making Space for Water
Slurry Storage: Sort it in the summer, be Ready for Winter
Despite the dry spring and summer months, planning for winter slurry storage during the summer is important to avoid last minute panic and storage. Due to last years wet winter, many farmers struggled with their slurry storage. This creates risks to river water quality and poses a threat to wildlife if slurry enters rivers.
The Farming Rules for Water allow spreading of fertilisers according to crops' need, while avoiding pollution. Spreading of fertilisers is not permitted through the winter months meaning that appropriate slurry storage is important.
Slurry storage: sort it in the summer, be winter ready – Creating a better place
Rights of Hampshire rivers recognised
Two councils have recognised the rights of rivers to be free from pollution and poor condition. Test Valley Borough Council and Southampton Council have acknowledged the “intrinsic rights” of waterways. These new rights are to protect rivers from overdevelopment and pollution from a range of sources. However, lawyers have said it is unclear what legal effect the moves could have.
Find out more here: Rights of Hampshire rivers recognised in council votes - BBC News