Eco Hub • River Mole River Watch report

Taken from a presentation given by Nigel of River Mole River Watch (RMRW). 

Nigel gave a compelling account of the state of our local river, backed up by some grim statistics. He told us, for instance, that Dorking Sewage Works had been responsible for 223 illegal sewage dumps in the space of just four years, accounting for 2,102 hours of sewage spill in 2020 alone – less than a mile from the Stepping Stones, a swimming spot long popular with both locals and visitors.   

We heard that RMRW has three aims: to promote catchment-wide action to improve water quality for wildlife and for people; to drive towards achieving ‘good’ ecological status as soon as practical; and to make rivers and streams safe for play and for recreation. 

RMRW aims to achieve these aims through engaging with communities (local people, their councils and their representatives), custodians (regulators, catchment partnership, other river groups, and landowners), and polluters (Thames Water, farmers, Gatwick Airport, industry and the public). 

Nigel spoke of the challenges facing the River Mole, among them drain misuse, airport expansion, urban waste runoff and invasive species. He talked us through the poor ecological status of the sections of the river and the work the volunteer citizen scientists of RMRW do each month, testing their stretch of river for phosphate, nitrate, ammonia, conductivity and temperature. These tests now cover the full catchment area of the river, including its tributaries. 

Useful information

You can check for recent sewage overflows at: www.thameswater.co.uk/edm-map

If you spot serious pollution, please call: 
The Environment Agency hotline: 0800 807060

Author
Tara Craig