We Took Part in the Great UK WaterBlitz 2026

This autumn, we rolled up our sleeves (and our trouser legs!) and headed down to our local river to take part in the Great UK WaterBlitz 2026, and we brought the whole family along for the adventure.

So, what is the WaterBlitz?

The Great UK WaterBlitz is a citizen science project run by Earthwatch Europe, and it’s a brilliant example of how ordinary people can contribute to real scientific research. Twice a year, in spring and autumn, thousands of volunteers across the UK head out to test the quality of their local freshwater, taking in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds – all on the same weekend.

The idea is straightforward but a powerful one. Lots of smaller waterways slip through the gaps of official monitoring, so by gathering readings from so many people at once, the WaterBlitz builds a national snapshot of water health and highlights where pollution is a problem and where action is most needed.

Our experience

This was the third time we’ve taken part in the Blitz, and it remains incredibly easy to do – and a really fun way to put in an hour with the kids. Armed with our free testing kit, we made our way to the local river and got started.

The kit comes with little test tubes, each with a special reacting chemical. You add a sample of river water, give it a few minutes, and watch as the chemical changes colour; the extent of the colour change is representative of the amount of nitrates and phosphates in the water.

The kids loved it, and it led to some great conversations about the importance of not polluting and looking after our environment. Once we had the results, we simply uploaded them on the app. And that was that!

Where can you see the results?

All of the data gathered during the event is pulled together on an interactive results map, allowing users to zoom in and explore readings from across the UK. You can find this over at freshwaterwatch.org.

Why it matters

The concerns around Northern Ireland’s waterways are well documented, and unfortunately, apparently increasing. Nutrient pollution from nitrates and phosphates can trigger harmful algae blooms, like those found at Lough Neagh and along the River Bann. On top of that, invasive species like zebra mussel and the recently identified quagga mussel are putting our freshwater ecosystems under even greater pressure.

All of which, is exactly why projects like the Great UK WaterBlitz are so important. Every single data point builds the evidence needed to protect these precious and vulnerable places, and it’s a powerful reminder that looking after our water is something everybody can be a part of.

If you missed this one, it’ll be back in spring and we’ll certainly be giving it another go – and we encourage you to do so too!