Local volunteers from Test Valley Green Party returned to waterways around Andover and found signs of pollution at all three sites tested. The group also found pollution during last year’s testing and returned to check on the health of local rivers and streams.
Members sampled the River Anton downstream of Fullerton and at Goodworth Clatford, alongside Pillhill Brook between Amport and Monxton. Earthwatch Europe supplied the nitrate and phosphate testing kits through its Great UK WaterBlitz, helping volunteers contribute to a wider picture of water quality.
All three sites recorded nitrate readings of 2–10 mg/L, above Earthwatch’s benchmark for low nutrient pollution. Both River Anton sites also recorded phosphate levels of up to 0.1 mg/L, suggesting potential phosphate pollution.
Agricultural run-off, sewage and wastewater are major sources of this pollution. It can fuel excessive algae growth, reduce oxygen in the water and harm wildlife.
The findings follow Southern Water’s guilty plea in July to two charges relating to environmental permit breaches at Fullerton Wastewater Treatment Works.
In that separate incident, the Environment Agency traced pollution entering the River Test to the works, with suspended solids more than three times the permitted limit.
A Test Valley Green Party spokesperson said:
“We tested these waterways last year and wanted to follow up. The latest results still show signs of pollution in the Anton and Pillhill Brook.
“We want local people to know what we found and to be able to ask what is being done about it.
“We’re grateful to Earthwatch Europe for supplying the kits and helping us carry out this work.”
Test Valley Green Party said it would continue testing local waterways and pressing for stronger action to protect them.