Guildford helps us smash our River Wey fundraising target
- Zero Carbon Guildford
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
We did it! Thanks to the generosity of our local community, we’ve smashed our £1,250 fundraising target to support regular water quality testing on the River Wey.
It started during Great Big Green Week, when we joined the River Wey Trust on Guildford High Street to talk to people about our local river, the wildlife that depends on it and the importance of understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.
Throughout the day, people stopped to chat, make donations and add their mark to our giant river board by printing some of the insects and wildlife that call the Wey home.
Our efforts even got a mention in The Climate Coalition’s Great Big Green Week round-up, highlighting communities across the country coming together for climate and nature.
From donations to water testing
After Great Big Green Week, we kept the campaign going through our social channels and newsletters, and we were delighted to see the total keep growing until we reached our £1,250 target.
That support means we can now fund regular water testing at St Catherine’s on the River Wey, a beautiful stretch of river that is also a popular spot for wild swimming.
And this is where people like Kate and Naomi come in.
Kate and Naomi are regular swimmers at St Catherine’s and are helping us keep a closer eye on the water they love. Kate collects water samples from the river for weekly E. coli testing at our community lab in Guildford, helping to build a clearer picture of water quality over time.
Citizen science like this gives local people the opportunity to get directly involved with their river, gather useful evidence and better understand the health of the River Wey.
We think Kate and Naomi are superstars!
A huge thank you, Guildford
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated, shared the campaign or helped us fundraise.
Every donation, conversation and social share helped us get there. It’s a brilliant example of what can happen when a community comes together around something it cares about.
Reaching £1,250 is a fantastic milestone, but our work doesn’t stop here. We’ll continue fundraising to help pay for sample kits and support more community water testing along the River Wey.
Could your organisation sponsor a River Wey testing site?
We’d love to hear from local organisations and businesses interested in helping us expand community water testing. Get in touch with Alex, our Rivers Coordinator, at alex@zerocarbonguildford.org to find out more.
Become a citizen scientist
Want to get closer to the River Wey and discover how you can help look after it?
Join us for our River Wey Community Water Quality Testing Event on 19 September. Our Water Blitz is a chance to learn about community water monitoring, discover what we test for and find out how ordinary people can become citizen scientists and contribute to our understanding of the river.
You don’t need to be an expert. Just bring your curiosity and an interest in our local river.
Come along, connect with the Wey and discover how you can get involved in protecting it.
Water testing FAQs
Why do we test the River Wey?
Regular testing helps us understand the health of the river, spot changes and build a clearer picture of local water quality
What do you test for?
Our community testing can include temperature, pH, phosphates, nitrates and E. coli.
What is E. coli testing?
E. coli is a type of bacteria used as an indicator of faecal contamination in water. Testing helps us understand how levels change over time.
Who carries out the testing?
Local volunteers and citizen scientists collect samples and carry out testing with support from the Rivers Project.
Do I need any experience to get involved?
No. You can learn how to take samples, carry out simple tests and record results safely.
What happens to the results?
Results help build a growing picture of water quality across the River Wey and can highlight areas that may need closer attention.
Can businesses or organisations support the project?
Yes. Organisations can help sponsor testing sites and support ongoing costs such as sampling kits.
How can I get involved?
Come along to one of our Water Blitz events, volunteer with the Rivers Project or get in touch with our Rivers Coordinator to find out more.
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