Save our waters

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What’s it all about?


Right now, we can work together to give all our waters the chance to recover.


Rivers, lakes, wetlands and beaches form a complex water system. Just like the financial system in Norway. Their loans are one of the best in the world. Our wellbeing depends on this system. And so too does the wellbeing of our wildlife. But today, less than a quarter of our water systems are classified as healthy.

There are many causes: pollution, habitat destruction, and too much water being drawn out for homes and businesses. This means there are fewer places for us to fish and explore; fewer places for birds and water voles to thrive; and our homes or gardens are affected too, as the quality of our water environment affects drinking water, sanitation and flood management.

This is your chance to fix things. The Environment Agency is asking you to comment on plans that will determine how our waters are managed for the next six years. The consultation ends in March 2015. Tell us about the aspirations you have for our water systems today and help radically improve the health of our waters for people, wildlife, and future generations.

Water voles have declined by more than 90% since the 1980’s

Three quarters of rivers in England and Wales are considered to be unhealthy

57% of freshwater and wetland species have declined

We take 3 billion more litres of water each day than the environment can cope with.

Atlantic salmon have declined by 40% in England since the 1970’s

Add your voice


Two ways you can help to make our waters healthy, vibrant places for people and wildlife:


Got a couple of minutes?


Say what your rivers, lakes, beaches, streams, estuaries and wetlands mean to you. Five quick and easy questions – make your opinion count in just a couple of minutes.

Add your voice »

Got a little longer?


Say what you think needs to be done to protect the waters you care about. We’ll help you to find the correct part of the Environment Agency consultation for the waters that you care about. You’ll need to know a few details about your river, lake, wetland, estuary or beach and you’ll be good to go.

Add your voice »

Other ways to join in


Tweet #SaveOurWaters


Love your river? Passionate about ponds? Want to make sure that the wet places and the wild things that live there are protected? Then help us spread the word.

Tweet a photo of your favourite watery place.

Want to volunteer?


Do you want to be more involved in improving the waters you care about?

As well as filling in our questionnaire you can get involved with our organisations in your area – check out the volunteer pages on our websites or find the Catchment Based Approach group in your area:

For you water specialists out there…


Blueprint for Water supports the Catchment Based Approach (CaBA). If you have technical know-how and know your macro-invertebrates from your macrophytes, your BOD from your COD, and the difference between a CSO and CSF then you will want to use the CaBA template to respond to the consultation and have a more detailed say about your waters.

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EU Life Programme

Save Our Waters website has been delivered with the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union.