Three Devon rivers to pilot 'first of its kind community project' to improve water quality
The funding announcement was made during the 2025 Island Assembly, where delegates from across Devon met to discuss ways to improve water quality
Last updated 14th Mar 2025
Three Devon rivers are getting more than £100,000 from Government in a first-of-its kind trial to look at improving water quality.
It will result in communities, water users and farmers finding way to work closer together - which its hoped could be replicated across other parts of the UK.
The funding announcement. from Defra, was confirmed at yesterday's 2025 Island Assembly on Devon's famous Burgh Island as environmental campaigners and experts came together to look at ways to improve local water quality.
The latest figures show only one in five rivers in Devon are currently rated as 'good'.
Louise Wainwright from Avon River Champions organised the 2025 island assembly and helped bid for the Defra Water Restoration Fund grant
Broadcaster and Marine Biologist Monty Halls gave the keynote address
Louise Wainwright, chair of Avon River Champions, said: "We are really going to get our rivers to good ecological health by 2027 - and I'm so excited.
Amanda Keetley is from the Devon Environment Foundation
"It means we can get together and design a catchment plan for each of those catchments and it'll involve informing and inspiring all sectors of our community to work together.
Thomas Humphreys and Darren Searle are from the North Devon Biosphere
"We are working with local farmers to put in nature based solutions, that's things like a buffer zone between the agricultural land and the river so that you don't get agricultural run off.
Gary Jolliffe is from Force4Nature
The £138,000 Water Restoration Fund follows a year-long joint bid by the Avon River Champions, Friends of Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary and Sustainable Blackawton. Matthew Worthington is from the West Country Rivers Trust
It covers the three tributaries near to Burgh Island, the River Avon, River Gara and Slapton Ley and Salcombe and Kingsbridge estuary.
Giles Fuchs owns the famous Burgh Island Hotel and hosted the 2025 Island Assembly
South Hams Councillor Lee Bonham was at the 2025 Island Assembly
Jane Nichols is CEO of Sustainable South Hams
John Puddy is part of the Taw and Torridge Estuary forum