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Guarding Freshwaters is a publication dedicated to highlighting the conservation and protection efforts of UK freshwater and biodiversity.


Northern Ireland Government Sets Out New Measures to Protect Waterways from Pollution
The Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced measures to tackle water pollution by improving regulation.


Oil Spill Contaminates River Dochart as Killin Residents Warned Not to Drink Tap Water
The River Dochart has reportedly been affected by an oil spill, resulting in a major contamination incident. Residents of the nearby village of Killin in Scotland have been told not to drink tap water due to contamination fears. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is currently looking into finding the origins of the spill and to hopefully resolve it. Scottish Water has also been on hand to supply water through temporary water tankers for residents. It has gone d


Environment Agency Launches ‘Blueprint’ App to Strengthen Water Pollution Monitoring
As part of further efforts by the Environment Agency to try to curb water pollution, it has introduced a new water monitoring app named Blueprint. The app uses both Environment Agency pollution data, such as pollution risk, as well as allowing the public to input data of local waterways, like water quality, and whether users can see signs of pollution. The app uses geolocation to track and manage data. Blueprint's launch supplements the agency's double-down in enforcement ove


Environment Agency Expands Enforcement Team to Crack Down on UK Water Pollution
As part of its growing effort to tackle the damaging impacts of water pollution, the Environment Agency has expanded its enforcement team to its largest ever workforce. The agency has doubled down on enforcement officers, lawyers, and investigators to expand its power to hold those who pollute UK waters accountable. The fivefold increase in personnel has, according to the Environment Agency, led to better performance and an increase in inspections to record levels, resulting


A New Hope for PFAS Pollution: Reusable Algae-Based Material Removes 97% of PFOA
Researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University have developed a new material that effectively degrades the ‘forever chemical’ PFOA. By turning Ulva algae into a biochar (charcoal) with added Iron Oxide and Zinc Oxide, scientists were able to create a nanoreactor that traps and degrades PFOA pollution using light. The researchers found that the material removed approximately 97% of PFOA from water, owing to its large, porous surface area, which enables efficient degradatio


Blue Liquid Raises Pollution Concerns in River Welland
There is growing concern about pollution from external sources in the River Welland after a light-blue fluid was seen gushing into its waters. As reported by Harborough FM , Anglian Water is investigating. The water company has confirmed that the discolouration has not been caused by work to trace leaks, which is common practice for water companies. Further investigation is underway to identify the source. Hopefully, more information will become available soon to pinpoint the
