July 2024

July is my last full month working for Wessex Water and supporting the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership (BACP), after passing my Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship in June. I have been reflecting on the skills and experience I have gained over the past two years, and how enjoyable this has been.

Since I joined Wessex Water in November 2022, I have had the opportunity to learn more about working in partnership through the BACP. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to explore a broad range of tasks and workloads, and gained experience in areas I would never have thought I would have had the opportunity to be involved with. Some of the highlights for me have been helping to organise and facilitate events, working with a broad range of partners, interviewing community groups and creating short videos, publishing the monthly BACP newsletter, helping to construct the BACP’s terms of reference, helping to reorganise and create content for the BACP website, and helping to draft and produce the Progress Report, as well as being able to gain experience by working with teams within Wessex Water.

I am so grateful for the opportunities and development that working at Wessex Water and supporting the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership team has given me – the skills and lessons I have learnt will be applicable to any role and career that I may follow in the future.

I would like to thank Zoe, Jack, and Richard for their incredible support over the past 2 years, and dedicating so much of their time towards my growth and development – thank you!

 

 

 
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust have published their Impact Report for 2023. The report covers the Trust’s work across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire, and North Somerset, and details successful projects such as creation of the Bristol Avon Fish Recovery Strategy, Gauze Brook Restoration Project, RiverBlitz, and more.

 

Visit the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust website here to read the full report.

 

 
Part of a £500,000 project, two floating platforms have been launched into Bristol Harbour to boost its ecosystem.

The platforms are 700m²  and made from recycled water pipes and covered in over 500 native plants each. The islands will provide habitat for wildlife and boost biodiversity. Launched on 2 June, they were released as part of the Festival of Nature. More islands are set to be installed later in the year.
 
Simon Hunter, CEO of Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) said: This project exemplifies the strength of multi-organisational partnership. The project was initiated by the results of a first of its kind eDNA monitoring survey in the Lower Bristol Avon and Floating Harbour, commissioned by Bristol City Council, and delivered by BART which identified an array of freshwater and marine fish species, within the harbour and throughout the Lower section of the Bristol Avon throughout the New Cut: Fish eDNA in Bristol Floating Harbour. You can find further details within the report here: eDNA Report Summary and BART eDNA Fish Assessment Report.

Prior to this study, there was little data on “life below the waterline” in the harbour or in the transitional waters between the Severn Estuary and Bristol, making the eDNA investigation the first of its kind for the Lower Avon and Bristol Harbour. Based on the evidence of species present, obtained from the eDNA study, BART supported Bristol City Council to commission the concept design for floating islands in the harbour and introduced Biomatrix as a supplier. These plans then evolved and were submitted to the West of England Combined Authority in conjunction with new boating pontoons. It now great to see the islands installed, and we look forward to seeing them providing benefits to an array of wildlife both above and below the waterline."

 

 
Conham Bathing Group are campaigning for a stretch of river between Eastwood Farm and Conham River Park in Bristol to be granted Designated Bathing Water Status (DBWS).

The Group are currently organising ‘Rave on for the Avon’ and are creating a Thriving Avon Charter, the group say that a DBWS on the river would allow an accessible bathing site for many Bristol residents.

Read more about the group’s campaign here. Alternatively, you can visit their website here.

 

Join us at the Severn Estuary Forum 2024!

The Severn Estuary Partnership are excited to invite you to the annual Severn Estuary Forum on the 8^th October at Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester. This event is a unique opportunity to engage with stakeholders, share knowledge and celebrate the achievements and projects from all around the Estuary.

Don’t miss out on a day filled with insightful speakers, interactive sessions and networking opportunities.

Register for your tickets here: https://buff.ly/3vU0OiO

 

Eagle Reintroduction Wales (ERW) are in the process of developing a White-tailed Eagle return programme for Southeast Wales & Severn Estuary in partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Gwent Wildlife Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The ERW team are hosting a series of events this summer to increase community involvement and want to share with you how you can be involved.

The events are an opportunity for participants to learn about the ecology of White-tailed Eagles, current project plans and raise any concerns or uncertainties. Participants will be able to share feedback interactively during the event and will play central part in discussions during the workshop. 

• Thurs August 1, 11am-1pm at Sessions House, Usk. [REGISTER HERE]
• Thurs September 5,  Gloucester {TIME & VENUE TBC}
• Mon September 9, 11am-1pm Pelham Hall, Monmouth [REGISTER HERE]
• Thurs October 3, 5pm-7pm, Online Workshop [REGISTER HERE]
• Sat October 19, 3pm-5pm, Online Workshop [REGISTER HERE]

If you can’t make these workshops, you can still have your say by filling in the Public Opinion Survey – This survey explores participants knowledge and perceptions towards White-tailed Eagles, opinions about their return and connection to nature. This short survey will take 10 minutes to complete and welcomes all views and knowledge levels. Anyone over 18 that lives in Wales and/or the Severn Estuary & Wider Bristol Channel area are encouraged to take part!

• https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WTEPublicOpinionSurvey/ [English survey]
• https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WTEarolwgbarnycyhoedd/ [Welsh survey]

For more information and updates please see White-tailed Eagle — Eagle Reintroduction Wales

 

Environmental Performance Assessment for Water and Sewerage

The Environment Agency have published their 2023 Environmental Performance Assessment for Water and Sewerage companies. 

The assessment covers six different metrics including the number of pollution incidents recorded, compliance to discharge permits, and how often they self-report pollution incidents.  

Within the Bristol Avon Wessex Water have returned to a four-start rating (the highest rating). 

The graphic below shows a break down of performance for all companies across the country. 

For more information visit: Water and sewerage companies in England: environmental performance report 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Steve Reed, the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has announced his five core priorities for Defra under the new government. These are:

You can view a short video on these on X or Instagram
The Government also announced its first steps to reform the water sector. Defra have summarised these as: 

You can read more about these here: Government announces first steps to reform water sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Rachel Reeves, the new Chancellor has also announced various changes to the planning system which are set to take place. You can find more detail on what has been announced so far here: Chancellor unveils a new era for economic growth - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

 

 
Stormwater Shepherds, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to restoring waterways, has published a guide to help citizen scientists identify road run-off. The guide helps volunteers to identify signs of pollution, which outfalls are having the most impact, and how to consider the best possible solutions.

To read the guide, visit the Stormwater Shepherds website here.

 

Photo Credit: Stormwater Shepherds