Friends of the Dart takes a collaborative approach to investigating pollution, mobilising communities, holding polluters to account and championing rivers, locally and nationally. Working alongside farmers, businesses, regulators and water companies, and using rigorous science, community guardianship and open data, it is a movement that puts the river first, finding solutions that let life thrive.
The Project
Friends of the Dart will train volunteer River Guardians to monitor pollution on a stretch of river used daily for kayaking, open water swimming and rowing, driving household-level action to restore safe access.
The Issue
Sewage and diffuse pollution on the River Dart has driven E. coli levels high enough to see bathing waters rated “poor” and caused the cancellation of a 10k open water swim and the Wild Dart Swim & Aquathlon, on a river used daily by kayak clubs, swimmers, rowers and sailors.
The Project
The project will train 12-15 volunteer River Guardians in pollution monitoring and reporting, and distribute a household action manual to 200 homes in Staverton parish to drive behaviour change.
The Impact
By November 2027, Friends of the Dart expect at least 60% of surveyed households to have committed to at least one pollution-reducing change, restoring safe water-based recreation alongside river health.
