‘Rallying call’ for people to help improve quality of region’s water

A group of organisations called the Don Network has recently published the first-ever joint plan for the improvement of the River Don and its tributaries – including the rivers Rother, Dearne, Loxley, Porter and Sheaf – and wants local people to get involved with the improvements.

Helen Batt from the River Stewardship Company said: “We’ve been working together for the past five years to care for the River Don and local waterways with the 
support of many local residents, community groups and businesses.

“This plan serves as a rallying point to help more local communities get involved in improving their local stretch of the Don and its tributaries.”

Members of the Don Network, co-ordinated by Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency, have spent the last 18 months analysing the issues within the catchment area, and agreeing a “future vision” for the area, which stretches all the way from Goole to Chesterfield.

Joanne Briddock, catchment co-ordinator for the Don and Rother at the Environment Agency added: “The Don catchment is home to 1.3m people and covers almost 700 square miles.

“Coming up with a strategy to tackle the issues faced by over 100 waterbodies within this area is unprecedented.”

Together, the organisations involved have developed ideas for how the quality of water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals can be improved, including addressing issues such as land management and farming practises.

It is hoped that “vast improvements” will be made to water quality, wildlife, recreation and the appeal of the river.

Miles Foulger from Yorkshire Water said: “The Don has come a long way in recent years, but there is still much more work to be done.

“Yorkshire Water has invested over £150m in this business plan period to improving the quality of water being discharged from our sites, including an investment of £78m at Blackburn Meadows near Meadowhall.

“We are delighted to have been involved in producing the plan, and are committed to working with local partners to deliver these improvements, now and in the future.”