Q&A with Richard, Citizen Scientist and Chair of Stop Ure Pollution
Citizen Science gives communities the tools to fight back against pollution. From sewage discharges to chemical run-off, the UK’s rivers are under threat – but people-powered data is helping expose the damage and demand change.
In the Yorkshire Dales, Richard, chair of grassroots group Stop Ure Pollution, is leading a growing network of local volunteers who are defending the River Ure.
How do you – and your community – use the River Ure?
Richard:
“I and many others use the River Ure for fishing – I’ve fished there for over 25 years. Fishing, of course, is one of the most popular pastimes in the country.”
“Other members of our group are wild swimmers, birdwatchers and walkers. Many of the local footpaths run alongside the river. The Ure is one of the defining features of Wensleydale, and places like Aysgarth Falls – which gets around 600 visitors a day – are hugely popular with tourists. It’s vital we protect it.”
What inspired you to get involved in water quality testing?
Richard:
“I read an editorial in the Upper Wensleydale Newsletter back in March 2024 that asked:
‘What do the Wharfe, the Nidd and the Swale have that our Ure doesn’t? The first three have groups of volunteers who are monitoring those rivers with the aim of reducing pollution. Surely it is time we also had such a group?’”
“I’d already noticed the state of the river had declined over the last few years, so I got in touch with the author to say I was interested.”
What happened after that?
Richard:
“There was a huge response. On 30 April 2024, the Association of Rural Communities sponsored a meeting at Leyburn Methodist Church Hall – and 120 people came.”
“From there, we formed an interim committee and held a follow-up meeting on 25 June, where Stop Ure Pollution was officially launched. I became Chair – and that’s also when I met the brilliant team at Surfers Against Sewage.”
What are the biggest threats to the Ure?
Richard:
“Pollution – and it comes from multiple sources. Sewage Treatment Works, Combined Sewer Overflows, Septic Tanks, agricultural slurry run-off, and even chemicals from hot tubs at holiday homes.”
“This is a real problem in the Dales, where a lot of the infrastructure just wasn’t built to handle today’s population levels – both residents and visitors.”
“Farmers are under pressure too. To stay viable, they often need larger herds, which means more slurry – and that has to go somewhere. The result? More pollution risk for the river.”
What’s it like collecting the data?
Richard:
“It’s a mix of emotions. We’re still a young group – less than a year old – so we feel a bit ‘late to the party’, but we also feel proud that we’re finally doing something.”
“Last year, we had around 50 citizen scientists testing at 45 different sites along the Ure on two occasions. It felt like a real success – even if the results were quite shocking.”
“We’re trying to engage with Yorkshire Water and local farmers, but it’s tough. Just presenting the data isn’t always enough to drive change – but unless we try, it won’t improve.”
