In this project we looked to the waters of Milton Creek, and experimented with ways to improve water quality and enhance the estuary’s ecology, whilst engaging the local community in learning more about and caring for the Creek.

During the 19th century, Milton Creek was a hub for ship and barge building, with over 400 spritsail-rigged sailing barges constructed along its banks. The creek also supported a prosperous oyster industry, which declined due to pollution from nearby mills most notably Kemsley Paper Mill, established in 1924 and, before that, Lloyds Paper Mills.

Water quality samples were gathered every month during 2024, and the results then compiled and analysed by the South East Rivers Trust.

Next steps recommended by the Trust are: -

1.         Focus on addressing discharges and runoff to reduce nutrient and bacterial pollution.

2.         Expand the monitoring program to include more frequent sampling and introduce tests for microplastics and fish surveys. This would provide a clearer picture of pollution sources/trends and link these to the creek’s ecology.

3.         These efforts would lay the groundwork for future ecological restoration projects, such as oyster bed restoration and seagrass recovery, which depend on improved water quality for their success.

Read the full report here