London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has funded a new environmental project to help reduce pollution and improve the water quality in the River Aire.

The Aire Rivers Trust has a Riverfly programme that helps detect early warning signs of pollution using invertebrate marker species.

The Trust monitors eight key species, including freshwater shrimp, mayflies and stoneflies.

Surveys like this are monitored based on a trigger point. Each species found is worth a certain score, and then, based on how many are present, a score is calculated.

If this number falls below the trigger point, it means something has affected the invertebrate life in the water. This is sometimes linked to weather-related incidents such as flooding, but can also be an indicator of serious pollution.

Survey locations can also be specially located before and after potential pollution causes, e.g. sewage works, so that the information can directly find the cause.

They also monitor for the presence of invasive species and enable early action where possible, and can help to improve conservation efforts and plans.

The funding was provided through LNER’s Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF) and has allowed the trust to expand the project into Leeds and train more volunteers.

“The funding from LNER is allowing us to expand our project to create and sustain improvements in the River Aire, enhancing water quality and the ecosystems in the river. We have been able to train local environmental groups, meaning communities are able to get actively involved with the regeneration and maintenance of their local river. We’re grateful to LNER for their support.” 

Sam Riley-Gunn, Citizen Science & River Worth Officer for the Aire Rivers Trust