NORTH Somerset residents are being urged to help protect their rivers this July.

Many of our local rivers are in poor ecological condition due to pollution, human modification and much more. It is crucial that scientists regularly collect data from our local bodies of water so that they can monitor changes.

This is where you can help. The Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) are running their annual Bristol Avon RiverBlitz from July 7 until July 14.

North Somerset Times: Bristol Avon RiverBlitz.Bristol Avon RiverBlitz. (Image: Bristol Avon Rivers Trust)

Volunteers are being asked to collect water samples from their local river, and test nitrate and phosphate levels using easy-to-understand testing kits.

Once samples are collected, the data will be uploaded to BART’s online tool.

This data is then collated across the region and uploaded to the Bristol Avon RiverBlitz Explorer platform.

By collecting and collating this snapshot data on water quality, BART are able to better understand the impacts affecting the health of our rivers.

Rozy Gray, Bristol Avon RiverBlitz project manager at BART, said: “Our annual Bristol Avon RiverBlitz project is a fantastic way for people to get out and spend time by their local river.

"Our rivers are facing enormous challenges of which excessive nutrient inputs are a major aspect, negatively impacting the diversity of species inhabiting our river environments.

"Monitoring nutrient levels, whilst simultaneously raising awareness of their impact, is what RiverBlitz is all about and we hope that people are both interested and excited to get involved to do their bit to support BART’s work in protecting them into the future.”

If you want to get involved, you are urged to sign up to become a RiverBlitz citizen scientist on the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust website before July 1. This is to ensure that there is plenty of time for your monitoring kit to be delivered.

Alternatively, you can attend one of BART’s in-person RiverBlitz events. The team will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have, as well as give you a water-testing kit.

RiverBlitz events

Here are the upcoming in-person RiverBlitz events:

  • River Chew: Keynsham Memorial Park, Saturday, July 8, 10am-2pm.
  • Land Yeo: Watercress farm, Wraxall, Saturday, July 8, 10am – 2pm.
  • Wellow Brook: Midsomer Norton Town Park, Sunday, July 9, 10am – 2pm.
  • River Biss: Trowbridge Park Pond, Trowbridge, Sunday, July 9, 10am – 2pm.