This exciting, National Lottery Heritage Fund–supported project will use the international Water Rangers data platform and portable water‑testing meters provided by Yorkshire Water. Together, we will measure key chemical features of the River Worth and its tributaries, including:
These results will help us understand whether the river is under pressure from sewage discharges, farm run‑off, chlorinated water leaks, road run‑off or other pollution sources. Your data will help our team target campaigning and river‑restoration work where it is needed most.
We aim to build a network of sampling sites across the whole Worth catchment — from the top of the valley to the bottom — including the River Worth, Bridgehouse Beck and North Beck.
You can explore our sampling points and live data on the Water Rangers interactive map: Water Rangers Map | Water Rangers Data Platform
We need volunteers to make this project a success. We already have a brilliant team working in Keighley and Oakworth, but we would love more people to join us — especially from Goose Eye, Haworth, Oxenhope and the Upper Worth Valley.
The sampling methods are simple and designed for anyone to use. You can see how it works in this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1kr5SEpbs8&t=419s
Sampling takes place on the second Saturday morning of each month until December 2026. At first, we will meet in central Keighley for training and group practice. As the project grows, we will set up volunteer hubs in Keighley and Haworth where you can collect equipment and head out in small teams.
If you already take part in our Riverfly monitoring, this is also a great chance to check how water chemistry links to the river’s ecology.
If you’d like to get involved, you can sign up for our launch event or one of our friendly monthly taster sessions in Keighley via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/river-worth-water-rangers-4834317
Click in the images below to see details of where and when our sessions will be held.
You can explore our other citizen science projects here: Citizen Science - Aire Rivers Trust
If you want to learn more about the issues affecting our rivers, these resources explain the pressures we are monitoring:
This project is being delivered as part of our Roots in the River Project. This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to help us make this sampling program possible.
Additional support has been given by the Yorkshire Water Community Grant which has helped supply the sampling equipment.
