We develop easy but accurate methods to help characterise river & lake pollution. By working with our partners like the Environment Agency, these methods are rigorously tested, easy to use, and produce high-quality results. By sharing these methods publicly, we aim to harmonise approaches to citizen science aquatic monitoring across Yorkshire and ultimately, further afield.
The Methods
Here is everything needed to use these methods for your own citizen science project. We developed training material and guidance which should adequately prepare you to carry out these tests. Click on any method to find out more or to download guidance and training material.
Outfall Safaris are a great way to understand where the sources of pollution into a river or lake may be located and how significant they may be. In AQuA, we use outfall safaris to help us decide where to do more in-depth follow up investigation of river contamination & health.
In 2025-2026 the AQuA project will be developing and validating a full citizen science toolkit to measure chemicals (phosphate, pharmaceuticals, metals) & E. coli in surface water. Once these methods have been fully tested and are ready we will share them here.