Northumbrian Water’s Water Rangers award-winning scheme set up to tackle water pollution set to grow across the North East region.
The initiative involves volunteer Water Rangers walking, weekly or fortnightly, along local public access routes next to streams, becks, burns and bathing waters which are prone to pollution. After completing their walk, Water Rangers then report on the condition of the watercourse so that any potential pollution can be dealt with quickly.
The scheme originally started in 2014 with 32 routes but has now increased to 55 routes, ranging from 210 metres to 3.6 kilometres long.
Volunteer Water Rangers receive thorough training on environmental issues and what to look out for when monitoring watercourses. They are offered additional volunteering opportunities to support local community projects and work alongside key partnership groups. An annual payment and other thank you incentives, including an invitation to an annual celebration event, are also available for volunteers.
Water Ranger, Peter Stone said:
"I am extremely proud to be a part of the Water Rangers Scheme and feel privileged to have been a part of the scheme from the start, assisting Northumbrian Water to ensure the environment, rivers and watercourses across the region are protected by reporting any potential issues.”
“Northumbrian Water act promptly when dealing with pollution incidents and when the issue is not their responsibility, will notify the appropriate authorities whose responsibility it is. The Water Rangers scheme is very proactive and it is fantastic to see Northumbrian Water expanding and developing the scheme with new routes and additional Water Rangers.”
Northumbrian Water’s Wastewater Director, Richard Warneford, commented:
“The Water Rangers initiative has been hugely successful and has helped us to spot and deal with potential threats to the environment at the earliest possible opportunity on a number of occasions. In addition, it has helped us to raise awareness of our sewer pipes, outfalls and other equipment amongst the public. This is a great opportunity to expand the scheme to work with local people to protect more of our region’s watercourses through this award-winning project.”
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.