Southern Water has agreed to fund testing equipment at key sites along the rivers Itchen, Test, and Blackwater.
It means the water quality of the rivers can be regularly monitored and help combat water pollution in the region.
The announcement was made by Test Valley Borough Councillor for North Baddesley and Pan-Parish River Pollution Forum member, Geoff Cooper.
It follows a series of meetings and conversations between Mr Cooper, Southern Water and other members of the Pan Parish River Pollution Forum after Houghton Parish Council purchased their own water testing equipment last year.
The Pan Parish Forum was set up a year ago to campaign for clean water in the River Test and to stop pollution in all its forms.
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Cllr Alistair Dougall, Joff Edevane from Southern Water, Paul Vignaux from Test & Itchen Association, Cllr Geoff Cooper & river keeper Seth Crosswaite (Image: Geoff Cooper)
Geoff Cooper, ward member for North Baddesley, said: “The Houghton testing equipment is already providing excellent data and insight, but it is only able to cover one small part of the River Test.
“The plan is to have a string of similar devices running the length of the river from source, which will give real time data and provide valuable insights into river health, impacts from pollution and act as an early warning system.
“I’m extremely grateful to Southern Water for funding this equipment. The proposed testing sites were hand-picked by the river keepers who look after our precious chalk streams and waterways.
“It is their expertise that has guided this project. We want to ensure we are capturing the most relevant data needed to obtain the clearest picture possible to protect our rivers.”
Also present at the forum meeting was Joff Edevane, environment and water quality lead at Southern Water and Matt Owen-Farmer, senior ecologist from the Environment Agency.
Geoff Cooper added: “Government regulation will require testing at many of the sites highlighted by the river keepers. However, that legislation only requires testing in high priority areas by 2030.
"Today’s news will mean we are able to start monitoring much sooner, gathering vast amounts of data and gaining valuable insights into our rivers, their health and the pollution that impacts them.
“This will allow us to target our efforts in reducing all pollution in our rivers.”
Mr Edevane from Southern Water said: “‘This is a great opportunity to work with stakeholders in the catchment to monitor water quality. The results will help us identify potential sources of pollution and develop solutions for mitigation.”
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