River volunteers needed in natural beauty area

Volunteers are needed to help a water quality project in an area of outstanding natural beauty which aims for a cleaner river.

The River Nadder in Wiltshire is part of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, which is providing financial backing for the sampling.

The volunteers will extend the project, which is run by the Nadder Valley Farmers Group, with help from the Wessex Rivers Trust, Rothamstead Research and the Wylye Valley Farmers Group.

Farmer Peter Shallcross said: "We are keen to demonstrate farming and a vibrant healthy river ecology can co-exist successfully."

At the moment, there are weekly tests at 14 points along the River Nadder, the River Sem and streams flowing into them from areas like Semley, the Donheads and Fovant.

Samples are taken to a laboratory where they are tested and compared with results from nearby fields, which can help pinpoint where there might be an issue.

A method called sediment fingerprinting is also used - traps in the river collect sediment to test. They can accurately identify where pollution is coming from, so farmers can address it.

By making the river cleaner, aquatic wildlife can be improved, including the unique salmon for which the Nadder is a key breeding site.

The project is being supported by local Wiltshire councillor, Richard Budden: "The quality of water in the River Nadder and its tributaries is of critical importance to wildlife."

The volunteer programme is expected to run for at least five months with people being asked to sample at one or more of 11 locations around the Donheads, Semley and Swallowcliffe, every two to four weeks. They will be provided with a test kit and guidance.

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