"Citizen science" volunteers are working to analyse water quality along the River Wensum - and highlight the actions needed to restore its health.

The Norfolk Rivers Trust is running the CaSTCo (Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative), which has harnessed volunteer manpower to gather the high density of data needed to understand the complex issues across the entire river and its tributaries.

The project expands on a six-month pilot programme in the Wensum headwaters last year.

Now the first group of CaSTCo volunteers have begun collecting evidence to drive action and attract funding to tackle the pollution challenges facing Norfolk's most significant chalk river - designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation.

Eastern Daily Press: Citizen scientist Phillip Greville collecting a water sample on a tributary of the River Wensum - Picture: Norfolk Rivers TrustCitizen scientist Phillip Greville collecting a water sample on a tributary of the River Wensum - Picture: Norfolk Rivers Trust (Image: Norfolk Rivers Trust)

Elle Claiborn, CaSTCo citizen science officer for Norfolk Rivers Trust, said: "We’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the dedication of the citizen science volunteers.

"It demonstrates how deeply people care about the state of their local river and that they want to see change.

"Local people can bring valuable knowledge and connections. Importantly, this project moves away from speculating about what is going on to dealing with what is actually there – it is a crucial step towards healthy rivers."

Eastern Daily Press: Citizen scientist Phillip Greville collecting a water sample on a tributary of the River Wensum - Picture: Norfolk Rivers TrustCitizen scientist Phillip Greville collecting a water sample on a tributary of the River Wensum - Picture: Norfolk Rivers Trust (Image: Norfolk Rivers Trust)

Volunteers are given standardised monitoring tools and training to ensure the water quality data collected is reliable.

Where trends are spotted, such as high levels of nutrients, more focused samples are taken in the form of a group "waterblitz" day to explore the reasons. 

Data collected during the pilot project has already prompted a waterblitz on March 4 on the River Tat, west of Fakenham.

The solutions needed will be developed and implemented by partners including the Wensum Catchment Partnership, which brings together organisations such as the Environment Agency, Norfolk Rivers Trust, Anglian Water, Upper Wensum Cluster Farm Group, Natural England and Water Management Alliance.

To become a citizen scientist for the project contact elle@norfolkriverstrust.org.