Across England, a growing number of citizen scientists are taking water quality testing into their own hands, spurred by concerns over sewage spills and a perceived lack of independent monitoring. Organizations like Earthwatch have seen participation soar, with over 7,000 individuals taking part in testing events in 2025, contributing data from nearly 4,000 freshwater sites. These volunteers test for pollutants such as phosphates and nitrates, chemicals linked to agricultural runoff and sewage that can harm aquatic ecosystems.
This rise in citizen science is largely attributed to a crisis of trust in water companies, which reported nearly 300,000 sewage spills in England in 2025, and a reduction in official regulatory oversight. Following the UK's departure from the EU, detailed pollution analysis under the Water Framework Directive has not occurred since 2019, leading to an information gap that citizen scientists are now helping to fill. Their efforts are providing crucial data that helps build a more comprehensive picture of pollution levels over time and keeps the issue on the political agenda.
While citizen scientists cannot replace the work of regulators, their collected data is increasingly recognized as reliable and suitable for official monitoring. Some water companies are even funding these freshwater citizen science initiatives, aiming to enhance community awareness and improve transparency. The debate is now shifting towards how regulators can effectively integrate this citizen-collected data into decision-making processes, with a national program already developing a framework for its use.
