Friends of the Dart have launched an Online Water Hub!

This February, we were delighted to hold our first online meeting to share our testing results with the community, press, and other interested parties. The meeting took place on February 13th and was attended by 49 participants. We’d like to thank everyone who joined us—you helped make this first meeting a great success! We look forward to our next Water Hub on June 12th at 6pm.

The meeting focused on testing results and changes to how we will be testing the river in the future. FOD have now completed two years of water quality testing on the River Dart, building a vital dataset on the health of this much-loved waterway. In this online event, we shared key findings from our Phase 2 testing programme and outlined plans for Phase 3.

The session featured insights from core team members:

• Kit Cregan, Water Technician
– Kit explained the citizen science testing process and provided an overview of laboratory testing so far, along with upcoming improvements.
– He shared key findings on water quality, including:
• Bacteria – Identified sources of bacterial contamination in the river.
• Pharmaceuticals – Detected traces of medications in the water.
• Heavy metals – Found measurable levels of metals affecting water quality.
• Phosphates – Highlighted phosphate levels and their environmental impact.
– Analysis of results has pinpointed sources of water pollution, revealing that bacteria in the river come from:
• Ruminants – Cows, horses, sheep.
• Humans – Indicating possible sewage or wastewater contamination.

Kit Cregan

• Rob Worthington, Director and Data Science Lead
– Rob presented key trends and patterns emerging from one of the most in-depth studies of a UK river.
– He discussed developments in the testing process, including:
• Evolving methodologies – Enhancements to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Laboratory partnerships – Changes to strengthen testing capabilities.
– He announced new collaborations, including:
• The Environment Agency – Partnering for joint monitoring efforts.
• Plymouth University – Conducting further studies on Bidwell Brook, a key tributary of the Dart.

Rob Worthington

These regular online events are a key part of Friends of the Dart’s mission, bringing together local residents, national stakeholders, and the press to drive collaboration and awareness. We remain committed to evidence-based advocacy, transparency, and long-term solutions for improving water quality. 

With pollution levels an increasing concern, Friends of the Dart will continue pushing for meaningful action and accountability. As Phase 3 of testing begins, we invite the public to stay engaged and support our efforts to protect the river’s future. One way to help is by making a monthly donation, ensuring we can continue vital monitoring and advocacy. Every contribution makes a difference! Details on how to donate are available on our website.

A full recording of the meeting is available here