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Yealm Estuary to Moor
Come and join our Citizen Science Team
Help make a real difference to the health of our river
Data collected for over 3 years
29 Sites Monitored Monthly
To help locate persistent low level pollution problems, YEM coordinates more than 50 volunteers, known as “The Yealm Dippers” contributing to the Westcountry Rivers Trust water quality Citizen Science Investigation.
Helping to determine key problem areas within the catchment
Water Quality Measures
Our CSI team monitor the temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids and phosphate levels at 29 key sites on the main river Yealm and its tributaries providing a full background profile of the water quality problems throughout the catchment.
Setting the agenda for remediation
Priorities for Action
Phosphate levels need to be improved throughout the catchment.
Widespread concentration of phosphate and total dissolved solids with little to no rainfall and associated land runoff, prioritises the reduction of relatively continuous inputs from industry and/or sewage.
The Yealm is an established breeding ground for salmon and sea trout. There is an urgent need to reduce significant inputs from industry, sewage and/or surface runoff to three tributaries including the River Piall, Lee Mill Stream and Long Brook Stream, as well as to the main channel between The Borough and Puslinch Bridge, spanning Yealmpton sewage works.
On the Yealm Estuary, there is an urgent need to reduce the exceptional levels of phosphate and total dissolved solids in Newton Stream plus, significant inputs most likely to be associated with surface runoff in Ridgecott Lake Stream, Coffin Stream and Noss Mayo Stream.
Data informing decisions
Reporting our Findings
All findings, data and associated reports are shared with Parish Councils, River Yealm Water Quality Group and River Yealm Catchment Partnership which includes all the major organisations working within the Catchment.
Sharing our priorities
Working in partnership
A co-operative approach to taking action in these priority areas is co-ordinated through the River Yealm Catchment Partnership. The agreed River Yealm Catchment Action Plan helps to target and coordinate activities across organisations active in the catchment and supports project collaborations and funding applications
Our CSI reports...
Help prioritise actions
Our CSI results help prioritise the areas most in need of attention to improve river water quality. They focus attention on the management of both land and water, and the opportunity for change, including nature-based solutions. Continued monitoring and reporting enables better understanding of the outcomes of any changes or interventions.
Number of times Upper Safe Limits have been exceeded
Red highlights indicate sites with the highest average number of times upper safe limits have been exceeded per number of surveys. These sites are the most polluted within the Yealm Catchment and form our priorities for future action.