Pollution in Milton Creek “off the scale” How we plan to help clean it up …
On board Raybel right now is the new exhibition ‘What’s in the Creek?’ about our year-long Citizen Science project that charted the water quality of Milton Creek.
Like so many other rivers and waterways across the country the findings are GRIM. Bacterial levels are so high that it's way beyond swimming levels or recreational levels - even to the point of being dangerous for anyone to be in the water in a small craft.
The research, funded by the DS Smith paper mill, tested water quality at three different spots on the Creek – at Lloyd’s Wharf, outside Southern Water’s sewage treatment works half-way down the creek, and underneath Swale Bridge. A team of volunteers, led by Raybel Charters director Chris, collected samples from the Creek once a month between January 2023 and January 2024.
The highest levels of pollution were found at the sewage treatment works, where its outflow drain goes straight into the water - and where we found huge spikes of E. Coli levels beyond anything sensible.
During heavy rainfall or if the sewage treatment works are backed up, it is leaking treated, partially treated or untreated sewage into the Creek. Bacteria levels here were consistently higher than his equipment could measure – 10,000 colony-forming units (cfu) of E. coli per 100ml of water.
The government says micro-organisms like E. coli increase the risk of stomach bugs and could cause severe illness.Last year, there were more than 2,120 hours of sewage discharge into the Creek on 142 different occasions.
The findings were compiled into a published report by the South East Rivers Trust, and we’ve been pleased how the work has been picked up in a big way by local press.
But what we can do about it?
Ultimatley, it’s up to the water companies to re-invest and divert money from the shareholder and director payouts they are rightly being hauled up about in the national media.
But there are things we can start to do as a commity - and that will put extra pressure on them.
We’re now looking for funding to do a phase two project, which will progress some ideas that will help. Understanding where rainwater goes is really important, Many older properties, their guttering goes straight into the sewage system. So if you can identify those with that and divert any of that rainwater somewhere else, that would make a difference….. diverting some of the rainwater out of the system and creating solutions for drainage, rain shaping and capturing water to take pressure off the system.
Other suggestions include nature-based solutions to clean up any pollution that already exists - floating reed beds and buffer strips to clean the water. Even oyster beds. One oyster can clean 140 litres of water per day. Milton Creek was once famous for its oysters - tThere are references to Milton Oysters in Daniel Defoe’s A Tour Thro' the Whole Island of Great Britain.
Eventually, we'd love to see oyster beds and seagrass – which attracts seahorses – revived. They can help reduce carbon, mitigate flooding, and wave and coastal erosion.
There are lots of creative solutions to reduce the load on sewage treatment works. With a small amount f funding and some more volunteers we can make it happen. We’d loe to hear from businesses and residents that would like to get involved - info@raybelcharters.com
Chris on Raybel
