How can you keep your river healthy and clean? Part 3: Water use and pollution
Friday July 3rd, 2020
In a series of short articles, we will provide advice on helping to maintain the health of our globally rare chalk streams and lowland rivers in Norfolk. In times of drought and hot weather, this is especially important because of the wildlife our rivers support; endangered white-clawed crayfish, brown trout, eels, and water voles are just a few of the iconic species at risk in Norfolk – and you can do your bit to help protect them!
Water use and pollution:
East Anglia is one of the driest regions in the country and water security is becoming increasingly compromised due to over-abstraction and water waste, as well as increasingly long dry spells. While we have a large proportion of agricultural land use, most of the water abstracted in East Anglia is actually for domestic consumption. The average person uses 140 litres of water per day. Therefore, reducing water use in the home can directly reduce the impact on Norfolk’s rivers.
In addition, reducing the use of cleaning products and chemicals around the home will help maintain a healthier freshwater environment, and checking septic tanks regularly can reduce sewage pollution. If you see any sewerage, pollution or chemical damage in a river, please report it to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible.
Get in touch:
If you are a landowner with riparian land and would like to talk to us about restoration and rewilding, please do get in touch with us at Norfolk Rivers Trust. We offer a wide range of services including surveys, restoration and management advice. Email [email protected]
